Karan Johar to host Earthshot Prize Awards Night in Mumbai on 17 November
Synopsis
Karan Johar is set to make history as the first Indian to host The Earthshot Prize Awards Night — and he will do it on home turf in Mumbai on 17 November 2026. With 15 Finalists already named and Prince William personally backing the move, the sixth edition of the Prince-founded environmental prize lands in India for the first time, signalling the country's rising stature in the global sustainability conversation.
Key Takeaways
Karan Johar will host The Earthshot Prize Awards Night in Mumbai on 17 November 2026 .
He becomes the first Indian to host the annual ceremony since its founding.
The Prize was founded by HRH Prince William to champion environmental solutions.
This year's edition features 15 Finalists whose stories will be celebrated on the night.
The Earthshot Prize Summit will precede the Awards Night, bringing together global leaders, innovators, and funders.
Indian innovations have previously been recognised among the Prize's Winners and Finalists.
Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar will host The Earthshot Prize Awards Night in Mumbai on 17 November 2026, becoming the first Indian to take on the hosting role at the annual ceremony. The event, founded by HRH Prince William, celebrates breakthrough environmental innovations from around the world.
A Historic First for India
The decision to bring the sixth edition of the Earthshot Prize to Mumbai reflects India's growing prominence within the initiative. Indian innovations have previously been recognised among the Prize's Winners and Finalists, and the country's hosting marks a significant milestone in that relationship. The full programme will include The Earthshot Prize Summit, a gathering of global leaders, innovators, funders, businesses, and communities designed to unlock support for environmental solutions.
What Karan Johar Said
Johar, speaking about the assignment, said, '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 brings a wide-ranging media footprint to the role. Beyond his reputation as a filmmaker and producer, he is recognised for hosting Koffee with Karan and the Indian adaptation of The Traitors.
Prince William on the 2026 Finalists
Prince William, Founder and President of The Earthshot Prize, expressed optimism about this year's cohort. '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,' he said.
About The Earthshot Prize
The Earthshot Prize was established by Prince William to identify and scale solutions that can repair and protect the planet. Each annual cycle recognises Finalists across five categories, with Winners receiving funding and a global platform to accelerate their work. This year's Summit and Awards Night together position Mumbai as a hub for environmental leadership on the world stage.
What to Watch
With 15 Finalists already confirmed for the 2026 edition, attention will turn to the Winner announcements on 17 November. The Summit preceding the Awards Night is expected to generate partnerships and investment commitments that extend well beyond the evening itself.
Point of View
Guaranteeing the Awards Night broad cultural reach that a conventional environmental host would not. Yet the real story is geographical: bringing Earthshot to Mumbai signals that the Prize's centre of gravity is shifting from Western capitals toward the Global South, where climate solutions are both most urgently needed and increasingly being built. India's appearance as a host nation, rather than merely a recipient of recognition, is a reputational moment the government and sustainability sector will be eager to leverage. Whether the Summit that precedes the ceremony translates goodwill into binding investment commitments will be the harder test.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is hosting The Earthshot Prize Awards Night in 2026?
Filmmaker and producer Karan Johar will host the sixth Earthshot Prize Awards Night in Mumbai on 17 November 2026. He is the first Indian to take on the hosting role at the annual ceremony.
Where and when is The Earthshot Prize 2026 taking place?
The 2026 Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards Night will be held in Mumbai, with the Awards Night scheduled for 17 November 2026. The Summit brings together global leaders, innovators, funders, and communities ahead of the main ceremony.
What is The Earthshot Prize?
The Earthshot Prize is an annual environmental awards initiative founded by HRH Prince William that identifies and scales solutions to protect and restore the planet. Each year it recognises Finalists across five categories, with Winners receiving funding and a global platform.
Why is the 2026 Earthshot Prize being held in India?
The move to Mumbai builds on India's established contribution to the Prize, with Indian innovations previously recognised among Winners and Finalists. Hosting the event reflects the country's growing role in the global environmental solutions landscape.
How many Finalists are competing at Earthshot 2026?
A total of 15 Finalists have been confirmed for the 2026 edition. Prince William said the cohort gives him 'renewed optimism' about the pace of progress on urgent environmental challenges.
