LONDON (UK) – Aimed at solving some of the greatest ecological problems faced by the world, Prince William will launch a multi-billion pound global prize on Thursday.
Named the Earthshot Prize, it will give out five one-million-pound ($1.29-million) prizes every year over a decade in categories such as protecting and restoring nature, cleaner air, reviving oceans, waste-reduction and climate change.
The first awards ceremony will be held in the fall next year and nominations are slated to open on Nov. 1.
The grandson of Queen Elizabeth and second in line to the British throne, William said change was essential in the next 10 years to protect and restore the environment.
“By 2030 we really hope to have made huge strides in fixing some of the biggest problems the Earth faces,” the 38-year-old prince will tell BBC Radio during his interview later on Thursday with celebrated naturalist David Attenborough.
“I think that urgency with optimism really creates action. And so the Earthshot Prize is really about harnessing that optimism and that urgency to find solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental problems.”
The royal family has always championed the cause of the environment and William’s father Prince Charles has spoken for decades about the impact of climate change and the need for environmental conservation.
According to Kensington Palace, the prize was inspired by US President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot, which it said since the landmark 1969 moon landing was synonymous with ambitious and ground-breaking goals.
The palace said the prize would find an answer to at least 50 of the environmental problems plaguing the earth by 2030.
Members of the Earthshot Prize Council, which decides on the winners, will include eminent figures from the environmental, philanthropic, business, sporting and entertainment sectors. Their names will also be announced on Thursday.
A statement from the palace said the project has more than 100 partners around the world and they will submit nominations from Nov. 1. The awards ceremony next year will take place in London and later in different cities around the world.