The scorching heat of a London summer day couldn't dim the sense of urgency at an event during London Climate Action Week, where Prince William made a impassioned plea for collective action to combat climate change. Arriving at the Guildhall in style – via an electric bus – the Prince of Wales addressed delegates, including Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, underscoring our shared responsibility to 'repair' the planet.
Marking the halfway point of his Earthshot Prize initiative, launched in 2020, Prince William highlighted the progress made so far. The £1 million annual award has supported five winners each year, with tangible achievements including an estimated reduction of 18 million tonnes in emissions – equivalent to removing four million cars from our roads – and the protection, restoration and improvement of 85 million hectares of land, forests and rivers.
With a renewed sense of optimism, Prince William expressed his faith in innovative solutions emerging through the prize. He issued a stark warning, however, stating that when clear evidence exists for effective environmental protection, 'history will ask what we did with it'. The Earthshot Prize continues to support diverse projects tackling various aspects of the climate crisis, including advancements in green energy storage and eco-friendly dyes and colours for the fashion industry.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also addressed the event, drawing attention to the severe health consequences of air pollution. He praised Prince William's commitment, describing it as 'authentic', and recognised his administration's achievements in reducing vehicle emissions – a template for urban environmental action.
Other speakers included conservationist Robert Irwin and Jason Knauf, chief executive of the Earthshot Prize, who acknowledged the need for both urgency and optimism in environmental efforts. Prince William urged reflection on future generations' judgement: 'When the evidence was clear, what did we do with it?'