RELEASE: High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People Wins 2024 Earthshot Prize

RELEASE: High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People Wins 2024 Earthshot Prize

November 6, 2024

Press Release

Ocean

CAPE TOWN, (November 6, 2024) - Today, at The Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, Prince William named the High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People (HAC for N&P) the winner of The Earthshot Prize in the "Revive our Oceans" category. During the ceremony, the HAC for N&P was one of five chosen from nearly 2,500 nominees and 15 finalists and awarded a catalytic £1 million prize to help scale its solutions and accelerate its growth and impact.

Co-hosted by World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the HAC for N&P, now comprising 120 countries, was recognized for its work on pushing governments to commit and act to protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030.

Co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, with the UK as its oceans champion, the HAC for N&P played a pivotal role in securing this agreement, also known as the 30x30 target, at COP15 (United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity) in 2022. Currently, only 17% of the world's land and 8% of its oceans are protected. HAC for N&P is now working to help governments go beyond their pledges, pushing for these commitments to be written into law, sustaining political momentum, and addressing financial and technical barriers to action.

"With ocean conservation currently lagging behind land protection, we are grateful to the Earthshot Prize for highlighting the urgency of HAC for N&P's bold but essential mission for this decade," said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO, World Resources Institute. "Like our ocean, the HAC for N&P connects people and nations across continents. We thank the Earthshot Prize for recognizing the importance of coming together to build a safe, prosperous and inclusive world where the climate is stable and nature is revitalized."

The annual Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, awards inspiring and innovative solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Each year, it awards £1 million each to five initiatives, enabling them to scale efforts that repair the planet, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainability.

"Receiving this award is not just an honor, it's a call to action," said Rita Maria El Zaghloul, Director of the HAC for N&P Secretariat. "We must now accelerate efforts to ensure governments fulfill their commitments to vastly expand and improve protected areas and conservation measures, stop illegal land grabs, prevent resource extraction, and end illegal overfishing. We'll also engage with leaders at the highest levels to keep 30x30 a global priority."

About the High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People (HAC for N&P)
HAC for N&P is an intergovernmental group of 120 countries united by a shared ambition to implement the global goal of effectively conserving and managing at least 30 percent of the world's land and ocean by 2030. The HAC for N&P is co-chaired by Costa Rica and France with the UK as Ocean Champion.

About World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people's essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 2,000 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe.