Can Cities Grow Without Polluting the Air? Gujarat Proves They Can

Growing industrial cities bring jobs, homes, and booming economies. But they come with a trade-off: polluted air and the health risks that come with it.

The Indian State of Gujarat, now an Earthshot Prize Finalist, pioneered together with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) a groundbreaking emissions trading scheme: A ‘cap and trade’ system that allows businesses to thrive while reducing air pollution levels.

In Surat, this reduced harmful particulate emissions by about 30%, and now the program is expanding to Ahmedabad and beyond.

Learn more about the Earthshot Prize.

The Earthshot Prize, founded by HRH Prince William in 2020, is the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award. Our mission is simple: Urgency + Optimism = Action. Each year, we identify, celebrate and back groundbreaking climate leaders across five Earthshots: Clean Our Air, Fix Our Climate, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Protect and Restore Nature – awarding £1M to five Winners and connecting all 15 Finalists to a global network of funders, businesses, and communities.