Earthshot prize ceremony set for Reliance-owned venue in Mumbai draws criticism

The Prince of Wales’s Earthshot prize will hold its annual awards ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on 17 November, the Guardian reported. A spokesperson for the prize confirmed the location to both the Guardian and Mongabay.

The venue is part of Reliance Industries, the conglomerate owned by the Ambani family that runs the world’s biggest oil refinery and funds a controversial mega‑zoo. Conservationists have objected to the choice, saying the fossil‑fuel interests and the zoo conflict with the prize’s conservation goals.

Environmental groups highlighted the disconnect between a prize that awards £1 million to five winners for conservation work and a host linked to oil production and wildlife captivity. The criticism underscores ongoing debate over the relationships between green initiatives and corporate sponsors tied to extractive industries.

Why it matters

The venue choice links a high‑profile conservation award to a company involved in fossil fuels and a disputed zoo, raising questions about the credibility of the prize’s environmental commitments.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

8 Nov 2026, 11:30 IST

Key names

Prince of Wales’s Earthshot, Earthshot, Mumbai, Reliance Industries

Section

Environment

Figure cited

A spokesperson for the Earthshot prize, which awards £1m to five winners every year to invest in conservation work, confirmed to the Guardian and the news outlet Mongabay that this year’s… (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianEnvironmentalists criticise choice of Earthshot prize venue owned by fossil fuel firm 8 Nov, 11:30

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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