The natural world on which we entirely depend is declining at a rate faster than at any time since the end of the dinosaurs. We know where this story is heading, and we must now write a different ending. This is what The Earthshot Prize was created to achieve.”
- Sir David Attenborough
This is the decisive decade for our planet. Despite all the challenges, we are optimists. We see plausible pathways to an era of regeneration and abundance. We see positive tipping points within reach. We are optimists, but we are also realists. Change is not yet happening fast enough or at the scale we need. Pessimism and despondency are at an all-time high, and incumbent systems are moving too slowly and incrementally. We urgently need optimism to bring innovations and solutions to scale.
Join us in a decade of action to maximise impact and take solutions to scale. Let’s inspire people all over the world to work together to repair the planet.
Together we can solve Earth’s greatest problems
Cranfield University is proud to be among a network of distinguished organisations from around the world chosen as official nominators of The Earthshot Prize. We will be nominating individuals, communities, businesses and organisations whose solutions make the most progress towards achieving the five Earthshots.
The winning Solutions could come from anywhere. Prizes could be awarded to a wide range of individuals, teams or collaborations – scientists, activists, economists, community projects, leaders, Governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries – any evidence-based solution which makes a substantial contribution to achieving the Earthshots.
- Inspiring - spark the imagination with a powerful, simple, hopeful story so that people everywhere can feel part of the movement
- Inclusive - build inclusion, equity, and benefits for people into the activities and impact of the solution
- Impactful - proven impact, and potential to scale this impact to catalyse system change for one of our Earthshots by 2025
The Earthshot Prize is centred around five ‘Earthshots’ – simple but ambitious goals for our planet which if achieved by 2030 will improve life for us all, for generations to come. Each Earthshot is underpinned by scientifically agreed targets including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally recognised measures to help repair our planet. Find out about these Earthshots and the three priority areas within each Earthshot below:
Protect and restore nature
By 2030, we choose to ensure that, for the first time in human history, the natural world is growing – not shrinking – on our planet.
Selection focus areas for this Earthshot:
- Efforts to protect and manage natural carbon stores such as peatlands and intact forests.
- Efforts to restore forests, wetlands, and other damaged ecosystems.
- Efforts to develop and scale regenerative agriculture.
Clean our air
By 2030 we choose to ensure that everyone in the world breathes clean, healthy air – at world health organisation standard or better.
Selection focus areas for this Earthshot:
- Engaging citizens in data collection and advocacy.
- Stopping the burning of agriculture and forests.
- Transitioning to clean personal transportation.
Revive our oceans
By 2030, we choose to repair and preserve our oceans for future generations.
Selection focus areas for this Earthshot:
- Reducing overfishing.
- Developing ocean ecosystem services that mitigate climate change: ‘blue carbon’.
- Climate change solutions with ocean benefits.
Build a waste free world
By 2030, we choose to build a world where nothing goes to waste, where the leftovers of one process become the raw materials of the next – just like they do in nature.
Selection focus areas for this Earthshot:
- Waste-free food, including efforts to shift to a plant-based diet.
- Waste-free fashion.
- Circular solutions: extending the life of goods and/or eliminating single-use goods.
Fix our climate
By 2030, we choose to fix the world’s climate by cutting out carbon: building a carbon-neutral economy that lets every culture, community and country thrive.
Selection focus areas for this Earthshot:
- Renewable energy for all.
- Reducing methane emissions.
- Constructing buildings fit for the future.
