The global climate challenges intensify as the world looks for solutions to the inevitable changes with rapid technological growth. Meanwhile, India stands at a crucial crossroads where growing economic ambition meets sustainable innovation. Marking a landmark moment for the nation’s green future, Mumbai is set to host the globally prestigious Earthshot Prize 2026. Moreover, it is the first time that the celebration, founded by Prince William, lands in India on November 17, 2026. The milestone edition will further see the filmmaker Karan Johar become the first Indian to host the prestigious event.
The Earthshot Prize 2026
The Earthshot Prize is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious environmental honours. Launched in 2020 by HRH Prince William, the event is inspired by US President John F. Kennedy’s historic 1962 Moonshot challenge to spark the same collective ambition and duty for the planet. Additionally, it aims to discover, champion, and scale groundbreaking environmental solutions between 2020 and 2030. It awards £1 million ($1.3 million) to each of its five annual winners. Previously hosted in London, Boston, Singapore, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro, the initiative debuts in India to highlight the country’s pivotal role in global sustainability. With environmental and business leaders, investors, philanthropists, global stars, and Bollywood A-listers attending the gala, Bollywood filmaker Karan Johar is set to make history by becoming the first Indian to host the ceremony.
2026 star-studded guest list
This year’s green carpet gala features a star-studded lineup of national and international icons, performers, and presenters. Alongside Prince William are Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek, Bridgerton-famed Simone Ashley, and Earthshot Ambassadors Robert Irwin and Nomzamo Mbatha. Moreover, the event is also graced by Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood A-listers such as Alia Bhatt and Sonam Kapoor. Adding soul to the event with her graceful live musical performance is Shreya Ghoshal.
While the anticipation surrounds a royal visit to India, Kensington Palace is yet to officially confirm the visit of Princess Catherine with Prince William. If yes, then this would be the first overseas joint visit by the Princess of Wales post her cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2024. Moreover, it would also mark her first attendance at the Earthshot Prize ceremony since May 2022 in Boston.
Why India and why Mumbai?
Notably, India is home to more Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists than any other country, with seven finalists, four of them previously crowned winners. Prince William noted that what succeeds in India at scale “has the power to inspire progress everywhere”, and pointed to the country’s youth population as the key to the momentum.
The Indian names in the Prize’s history include:
- The State of Gujarat (2025 Finalist, Clean Our Air), which created the world’s first trading scheme for particulate emissions, letting businesses grow while providing clean and healthier air.
- S4S Technologies (2023 Winner, Build a Waste-free World) uses solar-powered dryers to help smallholder farmers preserve crops.
- Boomitra (2023 Winner, Fix Our Climate), which runs a verified carbon-credit marketplace that rewards soil restoration, including the URVARA Project with over 12,000 farmers across nearly 50,000 acres.
- Kheyti (2022 Winner, Protect and Restore Nature) makes the Greenhouse-in-a-Box for smallholders to help reduce climate risk and increase yields.
- Fleather (2022 Finalist, Build a Waste-free World) that turned flower waste cast into the Ganges into a sustainable alternative to leather.
- Takachar (2021 Winner, Clean Our Air), whose technology cuts emissions from burning agricultural waste.
- Vinisha Umashankar (2021 Finalist, Clean Our Air), whose solar-powered ironing cart provides a clean alternative to charcoal-powered street irons.
What has the Prize achieved so far?
This year’s Prize will spotlight 15 environmental solutions across five categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate.
The Earthshot initiative has identified more than 5,600 emerging climate innovations from 156 countries. This includes 2,400 in the past year alone. It has further recognised and supported 75 finalists, awarding £25 million to Prize winners to scale their solutions. The finalists have protected and restored over 1 million sq. kilometres of land and ocean. Additionally, they have stopped 25,000 tonnes of waste from reaching landfill and captured 4.8 million tonnes of CO2. Together, the finalists have collectively secured more than US$500 million in investment and philanthropy.
The landmark event will be broadcast live across 240 countries and territories exclusively via Prime Video, in over 40 languages.
