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The Prince of Wales spoke about his visit to a Welsh town when he said the world needed "courage, co-operation and unwavering commitment" to tackle the climate crisis during a significant speech at Cop30. There he shared his deep emotional impact from meeting Welsh residents, alongside wife Catherine, whose lives have been devastated by flooding earlier this year. Addressing world leaders and delegates in the Amazon, William warned of the imminent danger humanity faces as we approach the "Earth's critical tipping points", stating: "The melting of polar ice, the loss of the Amazon, the disruption of ocean currents...these are not distant threats. They are fast-approaching and will affect every one of us, no matter where we live. "Just this year, I visited the Welsh town of Pontypridd with my wife Catherine, where the community is still recovering from devastating floods. I met families who had lost their homes, their possessions, and their sense of security. One resident told me how the river that once brought life to the town had become a source of fear. "Their resilience was deeply moving. It was also a powerful reminder that climate change is not a distant threat. It is affecting lives across the UK, and across the world, from small towns to major cities, from coastal communities to inland regions. No corner of the globe will be unaffected." Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter Prince William encouraged heads of state to view the challenging journey ahead as an opportunity to "grow our economies, develop new technologies and create secure and affordable energy systems". Among the attendees was Keir Starmer , whom he commended for his "visionary" support of a Brazilian-led fund for rainforests - a key element of the UN Cop30 climate summit that the British government has declined to invest in. Despite considering support for the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, the UK will not commit public funds as Rachel Reeves wrestles with balancing the budget ahead of this month's budget announcement. The prince's speech marks his most high-profile public address to date, speaking on behalf of the government and King. The speech was pre-shared with Charles, who has shown great interest in his son's environmental work. Speaking at Cop30, convened in Belem, at the heart of the Amazon, the future King posed a question: "We must ask ourselves, what legacy do we wish to leave?" Because the impact of all our choices will be felt by us all, around the world, in the safety of their homes, the stability of their livelihoods, and the health of the natural world that sustains us all. "The road ahead will be tough. We must transform the way we power our lives, produce our goods, move from place to place, and care for our land. But this is not just a challenge. It is a profound opportunity. An opportunity to build cleaner economies, restore nature, and improve the health and wellbeing of communities everywhere. "It is an opportunity to grow our economies, develop new technologies and create secure and affordable energy systems that are central to our future prosperity and security. Action on climate not only protects future generations but is a powerful engine to create better jobs and lives today." William's groundbreaking Earthshot Prize – designed to identify and expand solutions to "heal" the planet – took place in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday evening, with Kylie Minogue headlining the celebrity-packed entertainment programme alongside Brazilian icon Gilberto Gil. The prince outlined the philosophy driving his environmental awards, addressing attendees: "When we unite behind shared purpose, we can scale and accelerate solutions that transcend borders. Solutions that give us hope, and fill us with optimism, for the future." Speaking about one of the Earthshot Prize finalists, he said: "Brazil's proposal for the Tropical Forests Forever fund is a visionary step toward valuing nature's role in climate stability. That is why it was an Earthshot Prize finalist this year. "The initiative recognises that climate and nature must be addressed together – not in silos, but in synergy. The science is clear - we must go further if we are to secure a liveable future for all. And we must go together. "The time for partnership, protection, and progress is now. We know what is at stake. We know what must be done. And we know that no country, no community, no individual can do it alone." The prince also spoke about his five-day journey to Brazil, his maiden visit to the nation, with the King beforehand as they discussed their shared passion for the natural world. During his address, William commended his father's decades-long environmental campaigning and other pioneers who paved the way: "I grew up with my father – the King – talking about the power of nature and the importance of harmony in the natural world. "A subject he has championed for over five decades. It is a privilege to also represent him here today, as well as everyone else who has championed this cause, for so many years." The Prime Minister delivered his remarks immediately following William and pledged to intensify net zero efforts whilst acknowledging the "consensus is gone" on climate change. He also robustly defended his government's renewable energy programme but acknowledged that bipartisan agreement on "science that is unequivocal" has fractured both domestically and internationally. William was photographed alongside Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - commonly referred to as Lula - and Mr Starmer, and when local journalists requested a handshake the South American leader joined their hands together for a three-way handshake. The president was seen sharing a light-hearted moment with the prince and Prime Minister, before they departed arm in arm, presenting a united front. The heir to the throne had a lengthy meeting with Lula, which caused him to be tardy for his discussions with King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, as well as a meeting with Prince Albert of Monaco.
