Prince in rallying call to tackle the climate crisis

THE Prince of Wales has called for global “courage, cooperation and unwavering commitment” to tackle the climate crisis in a landmark speech delivered to Cop30.

- TONY JONES

William referenced Wales as he addressed world leaders and delegates gathered in the Amazon and urged them to see the “tough” road ahead as an opportunity to “grow our economies, develop new technologies and create secure and affordable energy systems’.

With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer among the guests, he praised as “visionary” a Brazilian-led fund for rainforests - seen as key to the UN Cop30 climate summit but which the British Government has said it will not invest in.

‘The UK had been considering support for the Tropical Forest Forever Facility but will not commit public money as Rachel Reeves grapples with balancing the books ahead of the Budget this month.

William spoke about being “deeply moved” by the resilience of Welsh residents he and wife Kate met earlier this year, whose lives have been blighted by flooding.

‘The speech was the prince's highest-profile public address to date, speaking on behalf of the UK Government and King, and it was shared in advance with Charles, who has taken a keen interest in his son's environmental work.