The Earthshot Prize is a £50m effort to fund solutions for managing environmental challenges. £1m prizes will go to green projects each year for the next decade in five categories: protecting and restoring nature, tackling air pollution, reviving oceans, reducing waste, and managing climate change.

In its first year, 750 nominations were submitted and narrowed down to 15 by an expert panel.

Speaking in a video message revealing the projects, William said: “Over half a century ago, President Kennedy’s Moonshot programme united millions of people around the goal of reaching the Moon. Inspired by this, the Earthshot Prize aims to mobilise collective action around our unique ability to innovate, problem solve, and repair our planet.”

He commented on the need for optimism in climate action, adding: “The ambition, quality, and range of submissions has been amazing, and should fill us all with optimism and hope that our goals for this decisive decade are achievable...