José Andrés, Wanjira Mathai, and Nemonte Nenquimo join The Earthshot Prize’s team of advisers and influencers, who will choose the five Winners of the 2024 Earthshot Prize
As the first-ever Earthshot Global Ambassadors, Robert Irwin and Nomzamo Mbatha will leverage their platforms and profiles to spotlight and elevate Earthshot solutions.
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The Earthshot Prize is excited to announced that five inspiring environmental champions from around the world will join the organisation to further spotlight, support, and help accelerate the growth of emerging solutions identified through The Prize’s search and selection process.
Humanitarian and restauranteur José Andrés, environmentalist and activist Wanjira Mathai, and indigenous activist and author Nemonte Nenquimo will join an expanded Earthshot Prize Council.
Alongside Prince William, Earthshot Prize Chair Christiana Figueres, and a broad, diverse team of individuals passionately committed to championing environmental solutions, the Earthshot Prize Council selects the five Winners of the catalytic £1 million Prize from each year’s 15 Finalists.
These three new members join standing Prize Council Members, including HRH Prince William, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Cate Blanchett, Sir David Attenborough, Indra Nooyi, Stella McCartney, and other global leaders committed to environmental action.
Conservationist Robert Irwin and actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha will also build upon their existing engagement with The Prize by signing on as inaugural Earthshot Global Ambassadors.
As the son of the legendary Steve Irwin, Robert Irwin has inherited a profound love and respect for nature, which he has transformed into a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy. His extensive work with the Australia Zoo and involvement in numerous projects aimed at preserving natural habitats and protecting endangered species has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the critical issues facing our ecosystems – important knowledge and expertise that he will bring to his role as an Ambassador.
Similarly, as a globally recognised humanitarian and actress from South Africa, Nomzamo Mbatha works with the United Nations and other various projects aimed at sustainable change. She brings a strong commitment to social justice, ability to mobilise action, and firsthand experience with the climate challenges faced by marginalised communities, making her advocacy for environmental solutions both inclusive and equitable.
Robert and Nomzamo were presenters at the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore, and they continue their support now as Global Ambassadors.
During the dynamic, year-long Ambassador programme, they will leverage their platforms and expertise to champion the groundbreaking environmental solutions honoured as Earthshot Prize Finalists and expand the conversation about critical, creative solutions to a wider audience of supporters.
“I am incredibly excited to introduce our new Prize Council members and to and officially launch The Earthshot Prize Ambassador Programme. The expertise, unique perspectives and dedication of José Andrés, Wanjira Mathai, and Nemonte Nenquimo will strengthen our council’s ability to champion innovative climate solutions.”
“Separately, Robert Irwin and Nomzamo Mbatha, our inaugural Ambassadors, will undoubtedly inspire and mobilise communities worldwide. Together, we are determined to make a profound impact on the journey towards repairing our planet.”
Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize
As The Earthshot Prize continues to scour the globe for the best environmental innovations and solutions, it is extending its reach by building a coalition of supporters, advisers, and Ambassadors that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us. The Earthshot Prize Council Members and Global Ambassadors collectively represent 13 countries and six continents and include expertise in finance, science, arts and culture, diplomacy, indigenous rights, and a variety of other disciplines and sectors.
Alongside The Earthshot Prize’s global partners, the Ambassadors and Prize Council Members will play a critical role in growing The Earthshot Prize’s ambitions to become a platform for impact by catalysing additional support and resources for emerging solutions and engaging people around the world in a movement focused on urgent optimism and action.
