India present process large transformation in renewable vitality: Earthshot Prize CEO

India is on the forefront of local weather options, and its improvements have rapid international software, particularly with regards to points similar to warmth stress, Earthshot Prize CEO Jason Knauf mentioned. He was talking with The Hindu on Thursday (November 12, 2026) on the background of the launch of the five-day Earthshot Prize summit, which is able to happen in Mumbai and Jaipur from November 13 to 17.

As COP31 gathers in Türkiye for local weather negotiations, it’s India and Mumbai which is able to ship a message of local weather options, he mentioned. “There’s a race occurring proper now. The primary nation that may have entry to low-cost, clear and considerable vitality, goes to have an enormous financial benefit. And I believe, India is aware of that. Which is why a lot is being performed right here to make use of the large photo voltaic useful resource that India has,” he mentioned.

Earthshot Prize is likely one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards. It was based by Prince William six years in the past. That is the primary time the awards are being held in India. Prince William shall be in India for the occasions.

On Thursday (November 12, 2026), Mr. Knauf spoke about how India was an inspiration behind beginning the award, why the awards are being held in India and notably in Mumbai this yr, and the teachings he has learnt throughout his keep within the nation. Observing that India is present process a “large transformation” about renewable vitality, he mentioned it had a bonus over different nations to herald sustainable local weather options. He mentioned there was no debate between financial progress and environmental safety anymore. “What is sweet for the setting is sweet for enterprise, and Indian corporations are displaying that,” Mr. Knauf mentioned, including that the previous Indian winners had been in a position to elevate $800 million in business worldwide funding after profitable the Earthshot Prize.

The Earthshot Prize is slated to make massive bulletins about two Indian finalists — Mahindra Final Mile Mobility and Mahila Housing Belief, within the coming week.

Why India? Why Mumbai?

Mr. Knauf mentioned local weather motion dialog wanted to maneuver past the ‘setting bubble’. Acknowledging India’s efforts within the conservation sector, he mentioned it was essential to showcase India’s optimism to the world. Including that the inspiration behind the awards got here from India too, he spoke of how the Prince of Wales noticed environmental motion throughout his go to to India in 2016, when he was impressed by the nation’s method in the direction of working with nature.

“For a rustic that’s on the frontline of the environmental points regardless of having not prompted them, persons are extra optimistic about their skills to resolve them, than many richer nations. That tells you one thing. All of us must be taught from that instance. We’re completely satisfied that the Earthshot Prize is coming right here to have fun that Indian spirit for the entire world,” Mr. Knauf mentioned. He added that Mumbai was chosen because it was the monetary and leisure capital of the nation.

“Earthshot Prize is about getting out to individuals. We need to get out to buyers, to company leaders. We additionally need to faucet into the world of leisure and sporting. Mumbai is the proper place for that. It’s the international capital for the monetary sector and the leisure world,” he mentioned.

This yr, Earthshot Prize ceremony shall be held at an unprecedented scale, he mentioned, including that over 5,000 individuals would take part within the occasions which might draw individuals from completely different nations, and youngsters from over 24 States of India. The occasion can be stay telecast round 240 nations for the primary time.

Urgency + optimism = motion

Requested about how he noticed the local weather problem, Mr. Knauf mentioned he was an everlasting optimist. “At Earthshot, we have now a easy equation — urgency + optimism = motion. Anybody who needs to surrender and be destructive, that could be a large risk to motion. As large a risk as carbon emissions. As a result of the second we resolve that the problems are too arduous, then we glance the opposite manner. That’s giving up, and notably for the subsequent era that’s coming, it’s an unacceptable perspective,” he mentioned.