The billionaires behind Prince William's £50m Earthshot Prize: 'Green Nobel' philanthropists include one of China's wealthiest men, a spiritual Islamic leader and presidential hopeful once in hot water over royal remarks

  • Earthshot Prize is aiming to solve the world's environment woes in next ten years
  • Five £1million will be awarded by the scheme, which was launched by the prince
  • Money for the prizes come from some of the world's biggest billionaires 

Prince William’s £50million Earthshot Prize scheme aims to solve the world's environmental problems by offering a series of high-value awards over the next decade.

But missing from the TV interviews today was where the huge competition money was coming from.

Those details can be found on the prize's website, below links to 17 Global Alliance Partners including the WWF and National Geographic.

This list of six 'founding partners' are the ones who are going to deliver on the money for the promised awards. 

And they are some of the world’s biggest philanthropists and companies – worth an estimated £119.7billion - with some are better-known than others.

MailOnline took a look behind the firms who have put their names down to save the planet.

The Agar Khan, who owns a number of racehorses, with his ex wife in Ascot in 2002

The Agar Khan, who owns a number of racehorses, with his ex wife in Ascot in 2002

Aga Khan Development Network

Founder: The Aga Khan

Personal wealth: £800million 

The Aga Khan Development Network was founded by the Aga Khan, the name given to the hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and operates mostly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Its mission is to help the poorest parts of those areas and usually concentrates on the fields of health, education and rural development.

It has a huge annual not-for-profit budget for these of £735million a year and has 80,000 staff on its books.

The AKDN says it gets most of its funding from partnerships with national governments and private sector partners.

Both the Duchess and Duke know The Agar Khan well and have met on a number of times

Both the Duchess and Duke know The Agar Khan well and have met on a number of times

The Queen and the Aga Khan before a dinner in honour of the diamond jubilee of his leadership

The Queen and the Aga Khan before a dinner in honour of the diamond jubilee of his leadership

These team-ups include some 19 UK based names, including Boris Johnson’s government.

The Aga Khan himself (pictured above with his ex-wife) also contributes a vast amount from an estimated £800million wealth, which comes from tithes from Ismaili community members.

He gets income from a multi-million-pound horse-racing and breeding operation in France and Ireland and has been referred to as a ‘playboy’ in the past.

In 2014 he divorced his second wife after a ten year legal battle - paying her £50million.

His personal wealth also allowed him to run a £100m yacht, named Alamshar after one of his racehorses and at one point he owned famous missing horse Shergar.

In a rare interview in 2017 he said: “Climate change is a major threat to much of the developing world, and it needs to be looked at with great care’.

 

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Founder: Michael Bloomberg

Personal wealth: £46.6billion 

Bloomberg Philanthropies is the charitable organisation that hands out the wealth of founder and one-time US presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg (pictured above with Judge Judy and Cyndi Lauper).

The organisation says it zeroes in on five main areas, which are the environment, public health, the arts, government innovation and education.

Mr Bloomberg has a fortune of over £46.6billion which he has said he will donate to the foundation, which is the 12th largest of its type in the US.

He founded media and data company Bloomberg LP and held the office of New York City mayor over a decade ago.

Michael Bloomberg speaks at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in August

Michael Bloomberg speaks at the 2020 Democratic National Convention in August

Michael Bloomberg with Hollywood actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

Michael Bloomberg with Hollywood actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

The good cause’s website describes him as its ‘guiding force’ and it says he ‘works every day to change people’s lives in meaningful ways’.

In 2017 it was reported that the group had given away £3.9billion to charitable organisations and projects.

But in February this year Mr Bloomberg was moved to insist he was a ‘champion for women in the workplace’ after a 30-year-old booklet purported to be his ‘Wit and Wisdom’ emerged again.

The pamphlet – which his campaign team said contained things he did not say – also featured a quote about the British Royal Family, which could raise a few eyebrows.

It said: The Royal family - what a bunch of misfits - a gay, an architect, that horsey faced lesbian, and a kid who gave up Koo Stark for some fat broad.'

 
Jack Ma and actor Nicole Kidman at a show during Alibaba Group's singles shopping festival

Jack Ma and actor Nicole Kidman at a show during Alibaba Group's singles shopping festival 

The Jack Ma Foundation

Founder: Jack Ma

Personal wealth: £30.2billion

The foundation is the charitable and philanthropic group of Jack Ma, (pictured above with Nicole Kidman) the £30.2billion Chinese businessman.

He made his fortune through internet merchandiser Alibaba, which he announced he would retire from in September 2018.

The foundation concentrates on entrepreneurship, education, women’s leadership and environmental protection.

It has an approach to charity it describes as ‘combining philanthropic mindset with business approach to achieve maximum results’.

In March this year it said it would donate 500,000 testing kits and one million masks to the United States.

President Donald Trump with Jack Ma in January 2017 in Trump Tower, New York

President Donald Trump with Jack Ma in January 2017 in Trump Tower, New York

Lost in Translation actress Scarlett Johansson with Jack Ma at a 2016 shop festival opening

Lost in Translation actress Scarlett Johansson with Jack Ma at a 2016 shop festival opening

Mr Ma is also on the Earthshot prize’s judging council but has also prompted some controversy over past remarks.

Last year he sparked criticism after advising his newlywed employees to have sex six times in six days, with one furious watcher calling it ‘revolting’.

He told crowds at the Alibaba’s annual mass wedding: At work, we emphasize the spirit of 996. In life, we should follow 669.

'What is 669? Six days, six times, with duration being the key.’

Alibaba insisted Jack offered lighthearted life and marital advice to 102 newlywed couples.

 
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is the group chairman and CEO of logistics firm DP World

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is the group chairman and CEO of logistics firm DP World

DP World in partnership with Dubai EXPO 2020 

CEO: Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Total assets: £20.5billion

Dubai Ports World is a logistics company which is based in Dubai and specialises in cargo logistics and free trade zones.

It has total assets of £20.5million and the Emirati multinational says that it handles 70 million containers.

The legacy section on its website says it wants to create positive change in education, women’s empowerment and oceans.

It started in 1972 at Port Rashid in Dubai before expanding around the world.

Danny Willett of England holds the DP World Tour trophy alongside Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,

Danny Willett of England holds the DP World Tour trophy alongside Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,

DP World’s group chairman and CEO is Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem (seen above), who is also a Non-Executive Chairman of high-speed rail company Virgin Hyperloop One.

In 2014 he defended the environmental impact of port operations, which make up much of the company’s work.

He said: ‘We operate in a range of different environments around the world, and we strive to reduce the environmental impact of our operations through rigorous planning and management.

‘Our focus is on reducing our resource consumption, preventing pollution, conserving biodiversity, and managing emissions to preserve the world we live and operate in.

‘DP World has launched an energy reduction project and campaign as a complementary approach to our CO2 emission reductions, and to promote all-round energy efficiency in our terminals.’

 
Mark and Lynne Benioff will fund prizes for the Earthshot scheme and have made billions

Mark and Lynne Benioff will fund prizes for the Earthshot scheme and have made billions

Marc and Lynne Benioff

Founders: Mark and Lynne Benioff 

Personal wealth: £6.2billion

The American married couple (above) have a fortune of £6.2billion made mostly from his cloud computing software company, Salesforce.com.

They have charitable cause called the Salesforce Foundation, but are listed by name on the Earthshot website.

In the past they have concentrated on education and anti-poverty programmes.

Mr Benioff once suggested those who had become rich should give their money away as they make it.

Salesforce chairman Marc Benioff, left, and Ivanka Trump during a 2019 news conference

Salesforce chairman Marc Benioff, left, and Ivanka Trump during a 2019 news conference

Marc Benioff and Lynne Benioff attend the TIME Person Of The Year Celebration in 2018

Marc Benioff and Lynne Benioff attend the TIME Person Of The Year Celebration in 2018

His ‘pay as you go’ model informed his foundation which took one per cent of profit and out it in the charity.

In recent years they have moved further towards environmental change, with Salesforce committing to reduce greenhouse gas and the development of the Benioff Ocean Initiative.

In 2018 Salesforce said it aimed to be entirely dependent on renewable energy by 2022.

In September that year Mr Benioff came in for criticism over Salesforce’s contract with US Customs and Border Protection.

The executive director of the Refugee and Immigrant Centre for Education and Legal Services claimed he backed out of a call with them, then emailed ‘I am sorry I’m actually scuba diving right now’.

 

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Founders: Paul and Jody Allen

Personal wealth: £15.5billion

This charity is named after its late creator (above), who was the co-founder of software giant Microsoft.

It started focusing on the Pacific Northwest and on regional arts and the environment but has since spread its reach.

Now it looks to preserve ocean health, protect wildlife and fight climate change.

It is currently run by Mr Allen’s sister Jody after his death in October 2018.

She said she was determined that his £15.5billion fortune would be used to help other people.

Ms Allen said: ‘I have been given the great responsibility to steward Paul’s wealth in service of his vision for the future.

‘While the loss of Paul is overwhelming, I am dedicated to preserving and implementing Paul’s vision.’

When he was still alive he said that he thought the rich should help others.

He said in 2010: ‘I believe that those fortunate to achieve great wealth should put it to work for the good of humanity.’

 

Prince William jokes he's 'a very boring coach looking for skillful players to help beat climate change' as he unveils glamorous Earthshot Prize judging panel including popstar Shakira and Queen Rania of Jordan 

 By HARRIET JOHNSTON FOR MAILONLINE

Prince William has unveiled his team of high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and A-listers who will decide the winners of his prestigious Earthshot Prize. 

The Duke of Cambridge, 38, launched the award, which has been likened to a green Nobel Prize, today, which will see see a total of 50 environmental pioneers each awarded a £1million prize for their work tackling major problems across climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and fresh water. 

In a clip released today, the Duke spoke with different members of his panel by video chat, including Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and popstar Shakira. 

Speaking with athlete Dani Alves, who is also on the panel, the royal joked: 'I'm a very boring coach on the corner at the moment, looking for some very skillful players to help me beat the opposition and we've got a really wonderful team put together on the council.'

Prince William, 38, has unveiled his team of high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and A-listers who will decide the winners of his prestigious Earthshot Prize

Prince William, 38, has unveiled his team of high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and A-listers who will decide the winners of his prestigious Earthshot Prize

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan has been unveiled as one of the stars who will award the Earthshot Prize

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan has been unveiled as one of the stars who will award the Earthshot Prize 

Meanwhile Columbian popstar Shakira was also revealed as a member of the prestigious panel today (pictured, performing at the Halftime Show in February)

Meanwhile Columbian popstar Shakira was also revealed as a member of the prestigious panel today (pictured, performing at the Halftime Show in February) 

The Earthshot Prize Council is a list of influential individuals from a wide range of different sectors, all of whom are committed to championing positive action in the environmental space.

The Duke will be joined on the team by celebrities and royalty including actor Cate Blanchett on the council.

In the video of the council chatting with Prince William, which was released today, Hips Don't Lie singer Shakira spoke of her own passion for the environment.

She said: 'I personally feel it is my duty as a citizen, as a human being and as a mother of two young children to bring attention to this issue before it's too late.' 

Prince William revealed unveiled the team of A-listers and environmental activists who will sit alongside him on the Earthshot Prize council today (pictured, clockwise from top left, Shakira, Sir David Attenborough,  Indra Nooyi, Dani Alves, Christiana Figueres, Naoko Yamazaki, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Cate Blanchett, Yao Ming, Jack Ma, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Prijnce William)

Prince William revealed unveiled the team of A-listers and environmental activists who will sit alongside him on the Earthshot Prize council today (pictured, clockwise from top left, Shakira, Sir David Attenborough,  Indra Nooyi, Dani Alves, Christiana Figueres, Naoko Yamazaki, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Cate Blanchett, Yao Ming, Jack Ma, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Prijnce William)

She added: 'Your children, my children – they have to find ways to reduce carbon emissions, to repair our oceans, to clean the air. 

'So we need young minds to be informed and invested, which is why education is so important. But we can't just stand still. 

'We have to lead the way and we have to do it now. I know it's ambitious and I know there will be so many challenges along the way but I also know there will be so many who will rise to the occasion.'

Others on the council include athletes, professional footballer Dani Alves and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and environmentalist Yao Ming, as well as environmental activists including Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim and Christiana Figueres.

In an Instagram post shared on the Kensington Royal page, the royal posted: 'The @Earthshotprize council is a diverse, broad range of people from all around the world who I've been talking to over the last few weeks and months. 

Among the celebrities who form a part of the panel who will decide the winners of the Earthshot Prize is A-list actress Cate Blanchett (pictured with Prince William)

Among the celebrities who form a part of the panel who will decide the winners of the Earthshot Prize is A-list actress Cate Blanchett (pictured with Prince William) 

'We've got a really fantastic council together.'

In the coming months, further members of The Earthshot Prize Council will be announced as the global coalition supporting the Prize expands.

Every year from 2021 until 2030, The Earthshot Prize Council will award The Earthshot Prize to five winners, one per Earthshot.

They will be supported by a distinguished panel of experts will support the judging process, making recommendations to the Prize Council who will select the final winners. 

The Duke spoke with high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and a-listers as members of The Earthshot Prize Council, including Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah

The Duke spoke with high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and a-listers as members of The Earthshot Prize Council, including Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah

Speaking after her announcement on the council, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah said: 'Seen from outer space, our planet is borderless; the same can be said for the greatest challenges we face today.

'For too long, we have neglected our shared world, and today we are reaping the shared consequences. None of us can opt out of the damaging ramifications of climate change, pollution, or resource depletion. 

'And while the situation is urgent, it is not hopeless. When our backs are against the wall, humanity has a knack for coming together to find innovative solutions. 

'We push back and power through. I am hopeful that platforms such as the Earthshot Prize will help us do just that.' 

Appearing in a film released today, Prince William joked he was a 'very boring coach in the corner' and wanted to bring together 'very skillful players to help me beat the opposition'

Appearing in a film released today, Prince William joked he was a 'very boring coach in the corner' and wanted to bring together 'very skillful players to help me beat the opposition'

The Earthshot Prize, which has been likened to a green Nobel Prize, will drive change and help to repair the planet over the next 10 years.

The ambitious decade-long project will see a total of 50 environmental pioneers each awarded a £1million prize for their work tackling major problems.

The £50million project is funded by a network of philanthropic organisations and private companies and individuals including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Jack Ma Foundation and US billionaire Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne.

Who will join Prince William on the Earthshot Prize Council?  

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Jordan

Queen Rania of Al Abdullah is the queen consort of Jordan and is known for her humanitarian focus and for using her platform to advocate for women's right and issues of sustainability.

Cate Blanchett – actor, producer and humanitarian, Australia

Cate Blanchett is an Oscar winning actress, with roles in blockbusters including 'Elizabeth', 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', 'The Aviator' and as Hela in 'Thor: Ragnorak'.

She is also an avid environmental campaigner, having been inspired to get involved by Al Gore, and has worked tirelessly for causes both in her native Australia and around the globe.

She is an ambassador for Australian Conservation Foundation and visited politicians and people in Queensland to raise awareness of climate issues. 

Christiana Figueres – Former UN climate chief, responsible for the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Costa Rica) 

Christiana Figueres is a diplomat with experience in high level national and international policy and multilateral negotiations. She was appointed Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in July 2010, six months after the COP15 failed in Copenhagen.

During the next six years she worked to rebuild the global climate change negotiating process, leading to the 2015 Paris agreement, widely recognized as a historical achievement.

Dani Alves – professional footballer (Brazil)

Dani Alves is a professional footballer for Brazil. Speaking upon being chosen for the council, he said: 'It's the most important power in the world – nature. If you give it good things then nature gives good things back to you.

'We're going to make a good team.' 

Sir David Attenborough – broadcaster and natural historian (UK)

Sir David Frederick Attenborough is an English broadcaster and natural historian. He is best known for writing and presenting and is considered a national treasure in the UK.

Sir David has become more vocal in his support of environmental causes over the last two decades, saying: 'I really do think things are about to start to move, and this sort of idea could be the spark that is really going to give it the lift and the impetus to develop into something huge.

'It's a great source of hope, and I hope it spreads around the world.'

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim – environmental activist (Chad)

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is an environmental activist and geographer. She is the Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) and served as the co-director of the pavilion of the World Indigenous Peoples' Initiative and Pavilion at COP21, COP22 and COP23. 

Indra Nooyi – business executive and former Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo (US & India)

Indra Nooyi is an Indian-American business executive and former chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of PepsiCo, who is consistently ranked as amoung the top 100 most powerful women in the world.

In 2017, she was ranked the 2nd most powerful woman once more on the Forbes list of The 19 Most Powerful Women in Business.

She serves on the boards for Amazon and the International Cricket Council. 

Jack Ma – philanthropist, entrepreneur and UNSDG Advocate (China)

Jack Ma is a Chinese business magnate, investor and philanthropist, as well as the co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, a multinational technology conglomerate. 

Ma is a global ambassador for Chinese business and is often listed as one of the world's most powerful people, with Forbes ranking him 21st on its 'World's Most Powerful People' list. 

As of 29 July 2020, with a fortune of $48.2 billion, Ma is the second-wealthiest person in China and one of the wealthiest people in the world.    

Naoko Yamazaki – former astronaut onboard the International Space Station (Japan)

Naoko Yamazaki is a former Japanese astronaut and the second Japanese woman to fly in space.

She revealed: 'It's been more than half a century since human beings reached space and even the moon. However, the Earth is our only home planet. 

'When I saw the International Space Station, I saw it as a symbol of international collaboration. If we all put our forces together for a common goal, we can make a great achievement.' 

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – economist and international development expert (Nigeria)

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-born economist and international development expert. She sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the African Risk Capacity (ARC)  

Shakira – singer and philanthropist (Colombia)

Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and philanthropist. She is one of 17 advocates for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Yao Ming - Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and environmentalist (China)

Yao Ming is a Chinese basketball executive and former professional player. He was also named the UN Environment Programme's first-ever Environmental Champion. 

He pledged to give up eating shark's fin soup, a Chinese delicacy, in association with a WildAid campaign to promote wildlife protection. 

Advertisement

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.