The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William in 2020, has announced this year’s finalists which includes recognition for three cities whose are excelling in their fight for clean air.
15 Finalists have been announced, three in each category: Revive our Oceans, Fix our Climate, Build a Waste-free World, Protect and Restore Nature and Clean our Air.
The three Clean our Air finalists are Bogotá in Colombia, Gujarat in India and Guangzhou in China
In Bogotá, a city once choked by diesel fumes and dust, a radical shift in mobility has delivered measurable results. Since 2018, air pollution has fallen by 24%, thanks to policies that prioritise walking, cycling, and green public transport.
The Colombian capital has created Latin America’s largest cycle path network, introduced more than 1,400 electric buses, and opened three cable car lines linking hillside communities.
The first Urban Zone for Clean Air in the district of Bosa has further reduced emissions by combining cleaner transport with greener, safer streets. By 2028, Bogotá expects to prevent over 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, equivalent to removing 65,000 cars from the road.
Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá said: ‘Being an Earthshot Prize Finalist is incredibly special for Bogotá as through this international platform we can shine a light on how coordinated action across transport, freight, and green infrastructure can drastically improve air quality.
‘We hope this can be replicated in other cities across the globe. If Bogotá wins The Earthshot Prize, it would not just be an honour for us, but for cities in the Global South proving that bold climate action is urgent and possible.’
In Gujarat, western India, policymakers have taken a different approach, pioneering the world’s first Emissions Trading Scheme for particulate matter. Instead of traditional regulation, the scheme sets strict emissions caps and allows factories to trade unused allowances.
This market-based model has proved a win-win: businesses stay competitive while air quality improves. In Surat, where the scheme was first tested, particulate pollution fell by up to 30% even as industry profits rose. With similar results emerging in Ahmedabad, plans are under way to expand the initiative across India.
Shri Devang M. Thaker, Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board said: ‘Becoming an Earthshot Prize Finalist is a proud milestone for the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and the Emissions Market Accelerator. It is an international recognition of a solution born in Gujarat that has the potential to transform how the world addresses industrial pollution.
‘The international platform provided by The Earthshot Prize will help us show that emissions trading can deliver cleaner air without hindering growth, so other emerging economies worldwide to follow India’s lead.’
Meanwhile, in Guangzhou, China, electrification has been the key to progress. Since 2017, the city has converted its entire bus network – over 12,000 vehicles – and 10,000 taxis to electric power.
Supported by 400 charging stations, this transition has cut nearly one million tonnes of carbon emissions and reduced harmful PM2.5 levels by 40%. Retired bus batteries are now repurposed to store renewable energy, turning waste into resilience.
Qin Haining, Chairman of Guangzhou Public Transport Group said: ‘It’s heartening to see Guangzhou’s public transport electrification efforts recognised by The Earthshot Prize for being at the forefront of innovation in public transport and energy management. And this is just the beginning, we have ambitious plans for the future.
‘The international platform the Prize offers helps us share our learnings and showcase Guangzhou as a blueprint to other cities around the world, showing just what can be achieved when ambitious city leadership and innovative implementation come together.’
The 2025 Winners will be announced in Rio de Janeiro on 5th November as part of Earthshot Week.
Photo: Random Institute
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