Prince Charles thinks achieving a green recovery is the “story of our time”.
The 71-year-old royal fears the world already finds itself at the “last step” in the battle against climate change and has therefore encouraged urgent action on the issue.
Speaking at the Green Horizon Summit, he explained: “I’m afraid we are literally at the last step. And there is real urgency for action.
“We know now what we have to do to rescue the situation, rather than going on, talking about it.”
Charles also stressed the potential economic advantages of embracing sustainable energy sources.
He said: “Achieving a sustainable future is the growth story of our time and can, in fact, fuel our post-pandemic recovery in a way that benefits people’s lives and livelihoods and nature’s own economy and pays dividends for decades to come. But the window for action is rapidly closing.”
The British royal has been discussing the issue of climate change for decades and even though campaigns have gathered increasing support in recent years, he admits the issue isn’t for the “faint-hearted”.
He said: “Having been championing climate action now for the last 40 years, I can tell you that this isn’t a fight for the faint-hearted.”
Prince William has also spoken passionately about safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The 38-year-old royal admitted to being inspired by his father’s passion for the issue.
He previously said: “I regularly wonder what my father’s banging on about. I’m sure every son thinks the same.
“He’s talked about this for a long time and long before people sort of cottoned on to climate change. So, I’ve always listened to and learnt and believed in what he was saying.”
William thinks attitudes towards climate change have evolved markedly in recent years.
He said: “I think the dotty person now would be the person who doesn’t believe in climate change.”