The Prince of Wales said today that saving the planet is a ‘team game’ as he called for more united action on the global environmental crisis.
The heir to the throne spoke out during a panel discussion at the start of London Climate Week as he highlighted the ‘optimism’ of his passion project, the Earthshot Prize.
He said: ‘Everything we want to do here starts with a team game. And the prize is just the pinnacle of the ability to showcase all the brilliant people around who are working in this space to better the planet, to better our futures, and to make life more sustainable in all walks of life.
‘A lot of people think the Earthshot Prize is just about climate change; it really isn’t.
‘It’s about waste. It’s about plastic pollution. It’s about the health of our oceans. It’s about the air we breathe.
‘It’s all the things that we as human beings care about. And so it takes a village to raise a family. If you take that into the concept of a planet, it takes all of us who are living on this planet to raise that planet and look after it.’
The future King was also in audience when other speakers openly criticised President Trump’s green credentials.
Welcoming William to the event, Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, said: ‘I’m lucky enough to have known [the Prince of Wales] for a long time and his father and I think the UK is very well served.’
Prince William (pictured) called for more united action on the global environmental crisis at the start of London Climate Week
The Prince of Wales was joined by international government figures, including the former Mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg (left)
He told the audience that the Earthshot Prize, which he founded, is not just about climate change but also about waste, plastic pollution and the air we breathe
He added that while there was ‘good reason to be optimistic’ about the state of the planet, ‘America has not been doing its share lately.’
Eduoardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian city that will host the next awards ceremony for the Earthshot Prize, also waded in, saying: ‘Local governments We don’t want to do any politics here, but we saw what Donald Trump did in his first term.
‘If it was not for the local governments, for the mayors, the U.S. would be in big trouble.
‘We’re going to try to announce also in Rio what the local governments, especially the mayors in the US, have been achieving. So finance is our biggest challenge.
‘We need to look at climate change and sustainability…as something that means a way to develop your country. So I look at Brazil. I see that we’ve got a big opportunity here.’
His comments came during a panel discussion with Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, who said critically: ‘Cities and mayors are doers. I say it in a respectful way. Presidents, prime ministers and countries are delayers.’
Sir Sadiq also had a few tips for Paes when it comes to hosting the next Earthshot award.
He joked: ‘A word of warning and advice. So Prince William, in his wisdom, arranged for Coldplay to play at the first Earthshot, but then said 60 cyclists had to power their performance. And these poor cyclists were cycling away because they were worried the lights may go off. So, a word of warning.’
Prince William sat on a panel with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (left)
He also shared the floor with Rita Maria El Zaghloul (right), Director at High Ambition Coalition
The Prince of Wales was photographed shaking hands with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
William added that he was ‘excited’ about travelling to Rio de Janeiro later this year when the city will host the Earthshot Prize ceremony.
The prize looks to highlight and reward some of the best and most innovative environmental solutions with £1 million prize pots and world-class mentoring.
He added: ‘I think South America as a whole, the amount of ecosystem, kind of environmental interest and passion that is there.
‘I think that’s really important. And I think they epitomize the approach to what we can be doing more sustainably. The vibrancy, the energy, the enthusiasm. I think the awards will be spectacular.’
Earlier in the day, William also recorded a voice note to mark climate week which was played on BBC Radio 2 while environmentalist Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, was a guest on the show.
During their panel discussion at Bloomberg’s London HQ, Irwin, 21, thanked the Prince for his ecological efforts on behalf of the next generation, saying: ‘As a young bloke I want to say a huge thank you.’
Speaking afterwards, Irwin responded to some of the comments that the prince heard about Trump.
The royal met with 2024 Earthshot Prize finalists during the ‘Leading with Impact’ event as part of London Climate Action Week
He appeared focused as he listened to 2024 Earthshot Prize finalists at the London event
The prince burst into laughter while meeting with some of the finalists of the 2024 competition
The son of Steve Irwin, the late Australian conservationist, said: ‘That’s something that Prince William heard loudly and clearly today, even if he obviously isn’t in his position able to comment on that himself.
‘But we don’t have climate leadership from America from the American president.’
Irwin added: ‘What Prince William is really good at is he is a universal voice that can speak to everyone. He can really work to break down barriers. He does a really good job at talking to anyone from any walk of life from any demographic anywhere in the world because he’s been On the front line.
‘He’s seen the working face of conservation and he can use all of that knowledge to spread a message on a huge platform. His platform is incredible and he uses that for good and I really admire that.’