LONDON (AP) — Prince William’s roadshow for environmental innovation will arrive in South Africa next week as the heir to the British throne announces the winners of his annual Earthshot Prize, aimed at finding new ways to combat climate change and other threats to the planet’s air, water and wildlife. William will travel to Cape Town for a series of events culminating in the awards ceremony two days later. The event marks the first time the 1 million pound ($1.
2 million) prizes have been announced in Africa, following ceremonies in Britain, the U.S. and Singapore during the competition’s first three years.
William created the prize in 2020 to encourage inventors and entrepreneurs to develop technologies to combat global warming and mitigate its impact. Taking the awards ceremony to Africa, a continent with which the prince has longstanding links, gives him a chance to learn more about the innovation that is taking place there, Kensington Palace said in a statement. “Despite contributing the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change,’’ the palace said.
“Yet in the face of these challenges, nearly all African countries have committed to enhancing climate action through reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience.’’ Among the finalists for this year’s prizes are a Kenyan company that makes solar energy systems for homes that aren’t connecte.