Celebrating Sustainability: The 2023 Earthshot Prize Winners in Singapore
Explore the global innovations, meaningful collaborations, and inspiring stories honored at the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore.
The Earthshot Prize 2023: A Global Celebration of Innovation
The Earthshot Prize stands as one of the world’s leading environmental awards. Established in 2020 by Prince William, the award recognizes and scales the most ambitious solutions to environmental challenges facing the planet. At its 2023 ceremony, held in Singapore, five winners each received £1 million grants in support of their groundbreaking contributions to address climate change and sustainability goals. This year’s celebration was more than just an awards night—it was a week-long celebration of innovation, impact, and hope for the future.
Background: The Mission and Legacy of the Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize is an annual event planned to run until 2030, with each year focusing on five targeted environmental goals, referred to as ‘Earthshots’. These goals are inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and encompass:
- Protect and Restore Nature
- Clean Our Air
- Revive Our Oceans
- Build a Waste-Free World
- Fix Our Climate
Each winner is selected by the esteemed Earthshot Prize Council, comprising global leaders and environmental advocates, and is supported with a grant and ongoing mentorship to help expand the impact of their solutions.
Earthshot Prize 2023: The Setting—Why Singapore?
Singapore was chosen as the host for the 2023 Earthshot Prize for its reputation as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and environmental leadership in Southeast Asia. The country’s unique commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking policy made it the perfect venue for honoring global changemakers and spurring collective climate action.
Earthshot Week: More Than Just Awards
Beyond the glitz of awards night, Earthshot Week in Singapore was a vibrant series of events designed to bring together innovators, youth, business leaders, and global policymakers. Highlights included:
- Earthshot+ Summit – Business executives, climate experts, and government figures convened for collaborative discussions aimed at accelerating climate solutions.
- Youth Programme – Singaporean youth took part in ecological restoration projects, including tree planting events along the city’s green corridors.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Reception – A closing event celebrating the spirit of partnership and shared vision.
Each event was designed not only to honor the finalists but also to foster new collaborations, encourage public engagement, and enable the rapid scaling of solutions with the potential to transform our world.
The Five 2023 Earthshot Prize Winners
This year, five outstanding organizations were recognized for their innovative steps toward solving our most urgent environmental challenges. Their solutions span continents and disciplines—but all share a commitment to urgent, tangible impact.
| Earthshot Category | Winner | Focus | Impact Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protect & Restore Nature | Acción Andina | Community-led reforestation of high Andes forests | South America |
| Clean Our Air | GRST | Eco-friendly lithium-ion battery manufacturing and recycling | Global, Asia-based |
| Revive Our Oceans | WildAid Marine Program | Marine conservation through education and enforcement | Global |
| Build a Waste-Free World | S4S Technologies | Reducing food waste with solar-powered dehydrators | India |
| Fix Our Climate | Boomitra | Digital carbon marketplace incentivizing soil restoration | Global |
What others are reading
1. Acción Andina: Protecting and Restoring the High Andes
Acción Andina is a grassroots alliance uniting local communities, NGOs, and governments across six South American countries to restore threatened high Andean forests. These ecosystems are home to unique biodiversity and provide essential water resources for millions. Acción Andina works community by community, empowering local people to lead reforestation campaigns, preserve water resources, and promote sustainable livelihoods. To date, their efforts have resulted in the planting of millions of native trees and the safeguarding of vital water sources.
2. GRST: Greening the Battery Supply Chain
With the global demand for lithium-ion batteries surging—driven by the electric vehicle and renewable energy revolutions—the environmental impacts of their production and disposal are significant. GRST, based in Asia, has pioneered an eco-friendly battery manufacturing and recycling process that dramatically reduces toxic chemicals and water use. Their innovative methods enable batteries to be recycled and components reused, curbing environmental harm while expanding the circular economy for one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
3. WildAid Marine Program: Scaling Marine Protection Globally
The oceans are under unprecedented threat from overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. The WildAid Marine Program partners with governments and local communities to improve the effectiveness of marine protected areas around the world. Through enhanced patrols, community education, and logistical support, WildAid delivers practical tools to reduce poaching and illegal fishing, restoring vital marine habitats and ensuring sustainable fisheries for future generations.
4. S4S Technologies: Tackling Food Waste Through Solar Innovation
Food waste remains a critical issue across global supply chains, leading to unnecessary emissions and loss of resources. S4S Technologies combats this by equipping smallholder farmers in India with solar-powered dehydration technology. By processing surplus produce into shelf-stable products, farmers can secure higher incomes, reduce food loss, and cut carbon emissions linked to traditional food wastage. S4S’s operations create economic opportunities, empower women, and lessen environmental impact.
5. Boomitra: Connecting Soil Health and Climate Resilience
Boomitra has developed a unique digital platform that rewards farmers and landowners for implementing regenerative land management. Using remote sensing and artificial intelligence, Boomitra quantifies increases in soil carbon—turning these into verified carbon credits. Their global marketplace allows corporations to directly support projects that remove atmospheric carbon while improving farming livelihoods and building climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
The 2023 Finalists: A Broader Look at Global Innovation
While only five winners walk away with the top prize, the Earthshot Prize’s impact extends to all 15 finalists. Each finalist receives support from the Earthshot Fellowship Programme, gaining mentorship and access to an international network of investors and experts geared toward scaling their solutions. Finalists span a range of sectors, from regenerative agriculture to water purification and carbon sequestration.
Highlights from the Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony was broadcast globally, with appearances from Prince William, global celebrities, and the leaders, scientists, and community advocates at the heart of climate action. Attendees included:
- Global environmental activists
- Business leaders and philanthropists
- Renowned scientists
- Youth representatives and climate advocates
Prince William met personally with finalists in the lush setting of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, symbolizing the bridging of technology with natural ecosystems and affirming a shared commitment to collaboration for the planet’s future.
Singapore’s Role in Environmental Leadership
The selection of Singapore as the 2023 host city highlighted the city-state’s leadership in environmental policy and urban sustainability. Singapore’s success offers valuable lessons for global cities, including:
- Comprehensive green public spaces and biodiversity corridors
- Innovative waste management and water recycling systems
- Active involvement of youth and community in urban rewilding
The synergy between global innovators and local Singaporean initiatives made this year’s celebration uniquely impactful.
Impact Beyond the Prize: Partnerships and Ongoing Collaboration
No solution stands alone. At the heart of Earthshot Week and the awards is a vibrant ecosystem of partners—including enterprise investors, NGOs, technology companies, and government leaders—powering shared progress. The event’s partners, such as Temasek Trust and Conservation International, provide catalytic support to help winners and finalists move from concept to real-world results. Strategic partnerships form the backbone of the continued growth and impact of the Earthshot Prize network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Earthshot Prize?
The Earthshot Prize is an annual global environmental prize that awards five winners each year up to 2030 for innovative solutions in five key categories: nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste reduction, and climate action.
How are winners chosen?
Winners are selected by the Earthshot Prize Council, an esteemed panel of global leaders, after a thorough vetting process supported by scientific and technical experts.
What do finalists receive?
All 15 finalists receive tailored support through the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Program, including access to mentorship, technical assistance, and a global network of partners, regardless of whether they are selected as a top prize winner.
How can I follow future Earthshot Prizes?
Events and updates are available via broadcast television, YouTube, and the official Earthshot Prize communication channels. Social media hashtags such as #EarthshotSingapore2023 also track global conversations.
Conclusion: Lighting the Path Forward
The 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore underscored the urgency, hope, and transformative potential of human ingenuity. From grassroots reforestation in the Andes to cutting-edge battery recycling, each winner is a testament to the power of collective action and innovation. As the Earthshot Prize continues toward 2030, it inspires not just solutions—but a groundswell of global partnerships and a renewed belief that together, we can heal our planet.
References
- https://earthshotprize.org/the-prize/singapore-2023/
- https://silverbackfilms.tv/meet-the-2023-earthshot-prize-finalists/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthshot_Prize
- https://earthshotprize.org/winners-finalists-listing/
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/11/earthshot-prize-finalists-2023-prince-william/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBKGuPLVff4r4-moTh9L7iw
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