Jacinda Ardern joins trustees for Prince of Wales’ environment award

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has joined the board of trustees for the Prince of Wales’ environmental award.

Ms Ardern, 42, resigned in January after six years in charge, saying she did not have “enough in the tank” to continue.

William created The Earthshot Prize in 2021 to support projects aimed at protecting the planet.

Scheduled to run annually until 2030, winners receive a £1 million grant for their environmental work.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (Kirsty O'Connor/PA)
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“Her lifelong commitment to supporting sustainable and environmental solutions, along with her experience as Prime Minister of New Zealand, will bring a rich infusion of new thinking to our mission.”

He continued: “Four years ago, before The Earthshot Prize even had a name, Jacinda was one of the first people I spoke to.

“Her encouragement and advice was crucial to the prize’s early success.”

Earthshot Prize Fellowship Retreat
The Prince of Wales speaks to The Earthshot Prize’s 2022 finalists (Jonathan Brady/PA)

She said she was “humbled and excited” to work with the Earthshot team.

“Since its inception, I’ve believed Earthshot’s power to encourage and spread not only the innovation we desperately need, but also optimism,” she said.

“Solutions are within our reach if we invest, support and accelerate them globally.”

The board of trustees is chaired by Christiana Figueres, co-founder of Global Optimism and former UN climate chief who was responsible for the delivery of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015.

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