Kensington Palace has confirmed that former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been appointed as a trustee of the Prince of Wales’ renowned environment award, the Earthshot Prize. Prince William, who created the prize to fund projects aimed at saving the planet, expressed his honor in welcoming Ardern to the team.
Ardern resigned from her position as Prime Minister in January, citing a lack of energy to continue leading the country. However, she has now taken on a new role with the Earthshot team, and she expressed her excitement and humility in working with the prestigious award.
Prince William praised Ardern’s “life-long commitment to supporting sustainable and environmental solutions” and noted that her experience would bring new thinking to the mission of the Earthshot Prize. He also expressed his gratitude for Ardern’s early support for the prize, stating that she was one of the first people he spoke to about it four years ago, and her encouragement and advice were crucial to its success.
The Earthshot Prize has gained global attention for its efforts to address urgent environmental challenges and promote innovative solutions. Last year’s awards, hosted by Prince William and Princess Catherine, recognized winners from the UK, India, Australia, Kenya, and Oman for their contributions to environmental sustainability.
Ardern, who attended the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York in September 2022 on behalf of Prince William, has been a vocal advocate for sustainable and environmentally friendly policies. She has been recognized for her work as a catalyzing force in the fight against climate change, and her appointment to the Earthshot Prize as a trustee is expected to further amplify her impact on environmental issues.
In addition to her role with the Earthshot Prize, Ardern is also set to serve as an unpaid special envoy for the Christchurch Call, which she co-founded in 2019. The Christchurch Call brings technology companies and countries together to combat extremism, and Ardern’s involvement reflects her continued commitment to addressing global challenges beyond her role as Prime Minister.
Ardern has a history of close ties with Prince William, having met on numerous occasions, including during her visit to Kensington Palace in July last year and during Prince William and Princess Catherine’s visit to New Zealand in 2019, where they met with survivors of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Ardern’s appointment to the Earthshot Prize as a trustee has drawn global attention, highlighting the significance of her contributions to sustainable and environmental solutions. Her presence on the board of trustees is expected to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the Earthshot Prize’s mission, further elevating the award’s profile and impact in addressing urgent environmental challenges. As the world continues to grapple with environmental issues, Ardern’s involvement in the Earthshot Prize is poised to make a meaningful difference in the fight for a more sustainable future.
