Prince Charles tells Cop26 leaders to hear young people's 'despairing voices'

Heir to British throne speaks of 'overwhelming responsibility' to future generations

Britain’s Prince Charles urged world leaders on Sunday to hear the “despairing voices” of young people who will bear the brunt of climate change.

The Prince of Wales told leaders at a G20 summit in Rome that they have an “overwhelming responsibility” to future generations.

The heir to the British throne and a long-standing advocate for sustainability, said momentum was starting to build behind climate action.

But he described the Cop26 summit, which opens on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland, as the moment to “translate fine words into still finer actions”.

“After, I suppose, very nearly 50 years of trying to raise awareness of the growing climate and environmental crisis, I am at last sensing a change in attitudes and the build-up of positive momentum,” he said.

“The planet’s health today will dictate the health, happiness and economic prosperity of generations to come — hence our overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn.

“It is also impossible not to hear the despairing voices of young people who see you, ladies and gentlemen, as the stewards of the planet, holding the viability of their future in your hands.”

An aerial view of the Scottish Events Centre in Glasgow, where the Cop26 Summit will take place from Sunday, October 31, until Friday, November 12. Getty Images

Banners advertising the upcoming Cop26 Summit line a street in Glasgow. Glasgow was chosen to host the summit in 2019. Ministers described it as one of the UK’s most sustainable cities and a showcase for “diverse culture and world-leading innovation”. Bloomberg

Workers erect a fence at the Scottish Events Centre. Cop26 was initially due to take place in 2020 but was postponed by a year because of the pandemic. Getty Images

A pupil holds a poster at St Convals Primary School in Glasgow while learning about climate change ahead of Cop26. About 25,000 people are expected to attend the summit. Reuters

Road closures are in place around the SEC in Glasgow. There have been 25 Conference of the Parties (or 'Cop') summits so far, making this year's event 'Cop26'. Bloomberg

An electronic poster advertising the Cop26 summit. World leaders will kick off the summit by setting 'high-level ambition' for climate action, the UK government says. Bloomberg

The Armadillo building forms part of the SEC, the location for the summit. Bloomberg

Artists paint a mural on a a wall next to the Clydeside Expressway near the SEC. Getty Images

Police Scotland mounted officers patrol near the SSE Hydro venue in Glasgow. As part of the summit, world leaders are holding talks on November 1 and 2. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will represent Britain and US President Joe Biden will be there. AFP

Volunteers model the official uniforms that will be worn by about 1,000 volunteers at Cop26. PA

The prince said money from the private sector was crucial to building a greener economy after the pandemic.

But he said investors needed more certainty from world leaders, who face tricky negotiations at Cop26 on raising money for green initiatives.

“From what they tell me, the private sector is already there, eager to work with you and ready to play a significant and game-changing role,” he said.

“It is surely time to set aside our differences and grasp this unique opportunity to launch a substantial green recovery.”

After his speech, Prince Charles was to attend the launch of a sustainability marker promoted by leaders in the fashion industry.

Members of a fashion task force backed by the prince will use a virtual certificate to record environmental details on every fashion item.

The digital ID will help consumers to make sustainable choices when buying clothes, said task force chairman Federico Marchetti.

“In an industry that needs to do so much more to improve its impact on the environment, this is a huge step forward and only the beginning of the taskforce’s journey,” Mr Marchetti said.

Prince Charles, 72, will welcome world leaders to Cop26 on Monday. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, cancelled her appearance after being advised to rest by doctors.

The prince has campaigned on environmental issues since long before they were prominent in global politics. In 2019, he launched a Sustainable Markets Initiative to encourage climate action from the private sector.

Addressing business leaders in June, Prince Charles said he was “fed up with all the talking” after decades of promoting sustainability. His sons, Princes William and Harry, have both supported green initiatives.