How environmental solutions are creating economic opportunity

Solving the world’s biggest environmental challenges requires more than innovation, it demands financial inclusion. Without economic opportunity, vulnerable communities are left behind, limiting the scale and impact of sustainable solutions. That’s why Shared Economic Prosperity is central to the partnership between the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and The Earthshot Prize.

When financial resilience and environmental progress go hand in hand, we create solutions that uplift both people and the planet.

In the Philippines, Coast4C, a 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalist, is proving how this works in action. By supporting smallholder seaweed farmers with responsibly sourced materials, financial tools, and market access, they’re helping coastal communities thrive while restoring marine ecosystems.

Financial security is at the core of this effort. Without access to savings, credit, and investment, even the most promising environmental solutions struggle to scale.

Seaweed farming doesn’t just provide income, it provides protection for the environment. By integrating it into marine protected areas, we create a win-win. Farmers gain stability, while coastal ecosystems regain their resilience."

Nick Hill

Co-Founder, Coast4C

Shared Economic Prosperity isn’t just about creating jobs, it’s about making markets work for everyone. Traditional business models have often prioritized short-term gains, leaving vulnerable communities without the financial tools to build long-term resilience.

Ali Schmidt-Fellner

Head of Research & Insights,

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

Financial inclusion empowers communities with tools that enable them to make their own choices, adapt, and become more resilient."

When we invest in people alongside the planet, we don’t just protect ecosystems, we unlock opportunity. And when we do that, we all move forward.

Together.

Shared economic prosperity is about broadening access to opportunity so that everyone can participate in the economy. It’s not about making the wealthy wealthier, but about investing in inclusion."

Tokunboh Ishmael

Co-Founder, Alitheia Capital & Trustee,

The Earthshot Prize

Learn more about The Earthshot Prize: https://earthshotprize.org/