Prince Charles calls for ‘unprecedented’ action on climate change

The British royal has said the growing climate crisis will eclipse the coronavirus pandemic

Prince Charles makes the opening address at the start of Climate Week. Screen Grab/Facebook

Prince Charles has called for action at an “unprecedented pace and scale” to tackle climate change, speaking at the virtual opening of Climate Week.

In a recorded message on Monday, the British royal drew a direct line between the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the threat of a climate catastrophe.

"Without swift and immediate action, at an unprecedented pace and scale, we will miss the window of opportunity to reset for... a more sustainable and inclusive future.

"[The] crisis has been with us for far too many years decried, denigrated and denied," the Prince of Wales said.

"It is now rapidly becoming a comprehensive catastrophe that will dwarf the impact of the coronavirus pandemic."

The heir to the British throne made the remarks at the start of the New York-hosted Climate Week, which coincides with this year’s virtual United Nation's General Assembly.

A range of government and business leaders including Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, were also due to address the opening event organised by The Climate Group.

Earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used an address marking the start of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly to warn that “climate calamity looms”.

With existing commitments falling far short of the kind of transformational action that scientists say is now vital, many advocates of climate intervention are urging governments to respond with the kind of urgency that has historically been reserved for wartime.

Prince Charles has long been an advocate for green causes. He likened the need for action required on climate change to European reconstruction efforts mounted by the United States after World War Two.

Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and Volkan Bozkir, President of the seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, speak ahead of the start of the General Assembly high-level meeting to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. UN Photo

Shaping Peace Together: Celebrating 75 Years of the United Nations. In observance of the International Day of Peace, United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is co-hosting a musical commemoration.

Stephane Dujarric de la Riviere, left, spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, takes a question from a reporter, right, via video link as others observe social distancing during the noon briefing, on Monday, September 21, 2020 at United Nations headquarters. AP Photo

Members of the media observe social distancing as they listen to Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez deliver an address via video link in the United Nations Correspondents Association office at United Nations headquarters. AP Photo

A sign sits in the empty North entrance plaza at United Nations headquarters during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high-level debate, which is being held mostly virtually. Reuters

A journalist films United Nations security outside the main entrance to the UN headquarters. AP Photo

A representative with the United Nations Media Accreditation & Liaison Unit staffs an area reserved for members of the press at United Nations headquarters. AP Photo

Abdou Abarry, Permanent Representative of Republic of Niger to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of September, addresses the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. UN Photo

Munir Akram, seventy-sixth President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Premanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, addresses the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. UN Photo

Secretary-General António Guterres makes remarks to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. UN Photo

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) and Volkan Bozkir, President of the seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly, are seated at the dais at the start of the General Assembly high-level meeting to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. UN Photo / Manuel Elías

Metal barricades line the shuttered main entrance to the United Nations headquarters, on Friday, September 18, 2020, in New York. AP Photo

Pedestrians and traffic make their way past metal barricades lining the sidewalk outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. AP Photo

A woman sits next to metal barricades lining the sidewalk outside the shuttered main entrance to the United Nations headquarters in New York. AP Photo

A woman wearing a face mask to protect against the coronavirus walks past artwork and metal barricades lining the sidewalk outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. AP Photo

Member state flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. AP Photo

Police barricades outside the United Nations in New York. AFP

A view of the city from the United Nations in New York on September 18, 2020. AFP

The closed entrance to the United Nations, in New York on September 18, 2020. AFP

The entrance to the United Nations, in New York on September 18, 2020. AFP

A man passes by the United Nations in New York on September 18, 2020. AFP

The United Nations GA Hall is seen empty in New York on September 18, 2020. AFP

"At this late stage, I can see no other way forward but to call for a Marshall-like plan for nature, people and planet," he said.

"We must now put ourselves on a warlike footing, approaching our action from the perspective of a military-style campaign," the British royal added.

The UN has put the need to address climate change at the heart of this year’s unusual general assembly. The meeting of world leaders is taking place virtually because of Covid-19 restrictions.

While many national governments are lagging behind on climate targets, pledges by cities and companies to slash greenhouse gas emissions have roughly doubled in less than a year, with many seeking environmentally friendly recoveries from the pandemic, according to a report published on Monday.

Cities and regions with a carbon footprint greater than the emissions of the United States and companies with a combined revenue of more than $11.4 trillion are now pursuing net zero emissions by the end of the century.

The majority are aiming for a zero-carbon economy by 2050, as part of a United Nations "Race to Zero" campaign, said the report by the Data-Driven EnviroLab and the NewClimate Institute think-tanks.