Environmentalists criticise choice of Earthshot prize venue owned by fossil fuel firm
Summary
The Earthshot Prize will hold its annual awards ceremony on 17 November at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, owned by Reliance Industries. Conservationists say the venue choice raises concerns because Reliance is linked to fossil fuel businesses and its philanthropic arm funds Vantara, a zoo facing scrutiny over its animal collection and imports; Earthshot says it is renting the venue at the standard commercial rate.Key Facts
- The Earthshot Prize awards £1 million to five winners each year for conservation work.
- The 17 November ceremony will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.
- The convention centre is part of Reliance Industries, which owns the Jamnagar oil refinery.
- Reliance’s philanthropic arm funds Vantara, a private zoo founded by Anant Ambani.
- Conservation groups have questioned how Vantara sourced its animals and how quickly it amassed its collection.
- A committee governing Cites asked India to report on steps to address concerns about imports of protected species.
- The Cites committee also asked its secretariat to review 11 cases involving questions about how animals were sent to Vantara.
- Earthshot said it did not seek a philanthropic partnership and would pay the standard commercial venue rate.
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