Duke of Cambridge looking for 'women-led solutions' to save the planet as 2022 Earthshot Prize opens

The Duke of Cambridge’s Earthshot Prize is to prioritise “indigenous and women-led solutions” as it enters its second year, it has been confirmed.

The environment prize, which offers £1 million to the inventors of pioneering technology to save the planet, is actively seeking “out-of-the-box wild card ideas” for the 2022 award.

Last year’s finalists were noticeably male-dominated, with four out of the 15 projects fronted by women.

This year, Earthshot Prize organisers said the focus will be on key “tipping points” for the planet, seeking to “extend the life of fashion, food and plastic products”, as well as solutions for more eco-friendly transportation, regenerative agriculture and future-fit buildings.

“The prize…will also prioritise indigenous, and women-led solutions, Web3.0 enabled solutions, nominations that unlock new financial models which value nature, and finally, wild cards - the out-of-the-box, blue sky solutions that have transformative impact potential,” said a spokesman.

The Duke set up the environmental initiative, which will award £50 million in prizes over 10 years, to find solutions to repair and protect the planet.

As the new nominations process began, he said the 2021 winners and finalists "set the bar incredibly high".

He added: "As the nominations for 2022 open, I can't wait to see what solutions the prize helps to champion this coming year.

"In 2022, we are determined to go further by seeking even more nominations from every corner of the world, ensuring that we spotlight and scale the very best ideas and innovations that will put our planet on a sustainable path and protect our world for generations to come."