Earthshot Prize recognizes Bhutan's conservation and India's electric vehicle shift

Bhutan has been named a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize in the ‘Protect & Restore Nature’ category. The recognition highlights the nation's efforts to maintain forest cover, which currently stands at nearly 70 percent, and its transition toward actively restoring degraded landscapes through the Restore Bhutan initiative. The initiative aims to restore up to 50,000 hectares of land to combat challenges such as wildfires, water stress, and land degradation.

In a separate focus on climate solutions, the Earthshot Prize is emphasizing ‘positive tipping points’—technologies and systems that trigger transformative change through widespread adoption. A notable example is the rapid electrification of three-wheel vehicles in India. Led by companies like Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, the shift toward electric auto-rickshaws demonstrates how infrastructure, policy, and market momentum can drive large-scale environmental impact.

The five Earthshot Prize winners will be announced in Mumbai on November 17, with each receiving £1 million to scale their respective environmental or technological solutions.