Faced with extreme weather events, the region's urban centres were affected by record temperatures. This year's list – which includes a city mayor and a chief heat officer – demonstrates the importance of local governance and leadership.
Solar-powered conduction dryers from India and easy-to-recycle batteries from Hong Kong were among the winners of the first Earthshot Prize to be held in Asia. They will receive US$1.2 million to scale their ideas.
The sole finalist from Southeast Asia in this year's Earthshot Prize, the Coastal 500 network hopes to "revive our oceans" through inclusive locally-led solutions that balance sustainable fisheries with the protection of fisherfolks' welfare.