The 2024 Earthshot festivities were in full swing this week, gathering environmental game-changers across the world right here in South Africa’s Cape Town on the green carpet. The winners of the coveted awards have officially been announced, with two African groups are in the mix!
Cape Town, South Africa (07 November 2024) — Last night, the DHL Stadium and Table Mountain shone in green while the 2024 Earthshot Awards were underway. Here, great minds who have created impressive eco-solutions to some of the Earth’s biggest challenges gathered; vying for their places as winners of Prince William’s prestigious push for eco-development.
It was a historic occasion for South Africa as it marked the first time Earthshot had been held in our country. With Cape Town playing host, the scene was set for eco-elbow rubbing, connections and celebrations of all those working hard to right humanity’s wrongs in our shared home.
“I believe our world can be rich in possibility, in hope, and in optimism. That is why The Earthshot Prize exists. To champion the game-changers, the inventors, the makers, the creatives, the leaders; to help them build upon the amazing things they’ve already achieved; to speed their innovations to scale and to inspire the next generation to create the future we all need,” said Prince William at the Awards Ceremony.
Despite the many streams of brilliance and 15 finalists who had been selected from a sea of hopefuls, there could only be five winners; each to be awarded with £1 million to accelerate and scale their environmental solutions based on different categories.
Meet the 2024 Earthshot Winners!
Fix Our Climate: Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems (USA)
Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems (ATS) has developed a simple, safe and scalable technology to capture waste heat and convert it into electricity! This offers a game-changing solution for heavy industries like cement and steel production that require extremely high temperatures to operate; generating vast amounts of waste heat that is typically lost.
ATS’s technologies have the potential to save gigatonnes of CO2.
“At ATS, we are proud to lead the way in converting this waste into clean, usable electricity. Winning the 2024 Earthshot Prize underscores the transformative potential of our technology. Tonight is a key moment for us as we focus on scaling up production in larger manufacturing facilities.” – Kelly Adams, CEO, Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems.
Revive Our Oceans: High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (Global)
A groundbreaking alliance of 119 countries with the ambitious goal to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030, High Ambition Coalition identifies technical, financial and knowledge gaps and connects governments with technical assistance and funding.
They’ve already achieved a major milestone with the adoption of the “30×30” target in the 2022 UN Global Biodiversity Framework!
Rita Maria El Zaghloul, Director, High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People said, “On behalf of the alliance, we are deeply humbled to be a Winner of this year’s Earthshot Prize. Today’s award validates the hard work and dedication of all involved in the 30×30 initiative and fuels our excitement and determination to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Together, we can achieve a more sustainable and biodiverse future.”
Build a Waste-Free World: Keep IT Cool (Kenya)
Keep IT Cool (KIC) cleverly addresses the challenge of food spoilage by providing sustainable, localized refrigeration systems that help small farmers and fishers preserve their produce.
By installing solar-powered cold storage units where fish are landed, KIC significantly reduces spoilage and waste by ensuring the catch stays fresh and manage its transport to market.
With plans to grow into East Africa and beyond, KIC is now working to expand their activities in poultry, fruit and vegetables and aims to bring their solution to more communities!
Francis Nderitu, Founder and Managing Director of Keep IT Cool said, “We are on a mission to revolutionise the food supply chain in East Africa. We are grateful for the recognition from The Earthshot Prize, and it is an important milestone for Keep IT Cool. We will continue to enhance market access, reduce waste and build climate resilience for small-scale fish and poultry farmers throughout the region.”
Protect and Restore Nature: Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative (Kazakhstan)
Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has achieved the almost unprecedented feat of saving the critically endangered Saiga antelope from extinction. This mission has grown into one of the world’s biggest conservation projects and is focused on protecting and restoring Kaakhstan’s Golden Steppe, one of the world’s least protected natural ecosystems.
Vera Voronova, Executive Director, Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative said, “We are thrilled to be receiving the 2024 Earthshot Prize for Protect and Restore Nature. Altyn Dala demonstrates that when governments and civil society work together with a shared vision, we can achieve remarkable results. The restoration of the Saiga antelope population and the revival of the Central Asian steppe are not just triumphs for wildlife but for the local communities that depend on these ecosystems.”
Clean Our Air: GAYO, Green Africa Youth Organization (Ghana)
A youth-led, gender-balanced organisation, GAYO uses its “Zero Waste Model” to drive behavioural change in waste management practices across Africa that cut greenhouse gas emissions and particle pollution, while also bringing additional income to communities.
Their goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and particle pollution in Ghana by 70%, compared to open burning, as well as divert a total of 4,000 tonnes of waste by 2030. GAYO’s plans to scale would make them the leading model for waste management on the continent.
Desmond Alugnoa, Co-Founder of the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) said, “We are incredibly honored to be winning the Prize, which is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the importance of empowering those most affected by climate challenges. Our work in Ghana demonstrates that sustainable waste management isn’t just a possibility—it’s a necessity. The recognition by The Earthshot Prize fuels our commitment to replicating these models across Africa, proving that local solutions can have global impacts.”
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