Karan Johar makes history as first Indian to host Prince William’s climate awards in Mumbai

Karan Johar will become the first Indian to host The Earthshot Prize Awards Night when the global environmental ceremony is held in Mumbai on November 17, 2026.

The event will mark the first time that The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William, is held in India. It will recognise environmental innovators working on solutions to protect and restore the planet.

Johar, a filmmaker and producer, has worked across cinema, television and streaming. He is also known for hosting Koffee with Karan and the Indian adaptation of The Traitors.


“To be the first Indian to host The Earthshot Prize Awards Night is a moment of immense pride for me, and to do so in Mumbai makes it all the more meaningful. In cinema, we imagine new worlds. The innovators celebrated by Earthshot are showing us how to build a better one. That is what makes HRH Prince William’s vision so compelling: it gives us not just reasons to hope, but ideas we can act on. India has the creativity and ambition to be an important part of that future. I’m honoured to welcome the world to Mumbai and help give these remarkable people the recognition they deserve,” Johar said.

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India has already contributed to The Earthshot Prize, with Indian innovations previously recognised among its winners and finalists.

“Every year, our Finalists give me renewed optimism. They show us that, even as the environmental challenges remain urgent, extraordinary people around the world are already proving that progress is possible. Seeing solutions work gives us all confidence to act. When they succeed, they inspire others and accelerate change. I'm proud to welcome these 15 Finalists to the Earthshot Prize community and look forward to celebrating their stories in Mumbai this November,” Prince William, founder and president of The Earthshot Prize, said.

The Earthshot Prize Summit will take place across two days. It will bring together global leaders, innovators, funders, businesses and communities to build connections and support environmental solutions.

The programme will end with the sixth Earthshot Prize Awards Night. Fifteen finalists will be recognised and five winners will be announced.

Each winner will receive £1 million to help scale their solution and expand its impact.