Prince Charles warned the climate crisis could ‘dwarf’ the impact of the coronavirus pandemic if there is no ‘immediate action’ and a ‘Marshall Plan’ is not implemented to protect nature, people and the planet.
Delivering an address at the opening ceremony of Climate Week, HRH the Prince of Wales said: “Without swift and immediate action at an unprecedented pace and scale we will miss the window of opportunity to reset for a green, blue recovery and more sustainable and inclusive future.”
He said the global pandemic is a wake-up call that ‘simply cannot be ignored’ and added: “That crisis has been with us far too many years. It is now becoming a rapidly comprehensive catastrophe that would dwarf the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“At this late stage, I can see no other way forward but call for a Marshall Plan for nature, people and planet. We can no longer go on like this as if there is no tomorrow.”
Climate Week is thought to be the only major international climate summit happening this year – run by international non-profit Climate Group, Climate Week aims to bring together global leaders and support the climate agenda despite the global pandemic.
Responding to HRH The Prince of Wales’ speech, Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, said: “His Royal Highness’s address was incredibly moving. It is heartening to hear him and so many of our other speaker call for such large scale action.
“Invoking the Marshall Plan harks back to a very special moment in history when the US led by example on the biggest issue of the day. I hope that decision-makers in the US hear that call and take note.”
The Prince of Wales has also announced the creation of a new global platform, named RE:TV, for films and articles by HRH’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, showcasing solutions from around the world to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.
The Oxford-based company CCm Technologies, which converts captured carbon dioxide and other waste streams into materials with multiple uses, including fertiliser and plastics, was one of the seven key innovation studies highlighted on the new platform.
Pawel Kisielewski, Chief Executive Officer at CCm Technologies spoke to ELN about it: “From our perspective his views are absolutely correct, we fully support the launch of this content platform, the message he continues to give us and the leadership he creates around action rather than words.
“What we have discussed with him is the fact that this tech is commercially available, so the support that he gives us to advertise and let agriculture know that this tech is available commercially and at scale, is the most important thing.”
