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Prince William has implored the world to protect indigenous communities who safeguard our planet as we “face a nature crisis”. On his second day of his tour of Brazil, the Prince of Wales spoke of the increasing threat of climate change and environmental crime which is fuelling ecological decline. William, who is in Rio de Janeiro this week to celebrate his Earthshot Prize project coming to Latin America for the first time, spoke passionately about the need to stand up for those giving their lives to protect our natural environment. Speaking at the United for Wildlife's annual summit tonight, the future king called for global action to “put a stop to the criminal networks driving environmental crime and destruction”. As part of his continued efforts to act as a voice for communities around the world being affected by these pressing issues, the Prince announced a new initiative for those defending the Amazon. In the past year alone, over 1.7 million hectares of the Amazon were cleared across Brazil, much of which is driven by illicit activity, he said. William added: “This crime fuels violence and corruption, distorts legitimate economies, and negatively impacts the livelihoods of millions. For Indigenous communities, these losses are not just environmental but existential. As forests are destroyed, so are their ancestral lands, sacred sites and even lives. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are partners and leaders with their own solutions. “They are not just residents of the forest - they are its protectors. Their stewardship has kept deforestation rates in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon up to 83% lower than in unprotected areas globally. But today, these protectors are under attack.” William today travelled to the tiny island of Paqueta, an hour by boat from Rio. There he met locals working to protect and reestablish vital mangroves in an area blighted by climate change and deforestation. The star studded Earthshot Prize awards on Wednesday night in Rio, now in its fifth year of a decade of action, will present five £1million prizes to entrepreneurs and innovators working to find solutions to the world’s most urgent environmental problems. William wants to use the platform to highlight the risks taken, sometimes fatally, by those at the front line of conservation. He said: “Those who stand in the way of illicit activity face deadly consequences. Latin America recorded 120 environmental protectors killed or disappeared in 2024 - accounting for over 80% of all such cases worldwide. These are not just statistics. These are lives. “These are people taking enormous risks to protect the land and the future we all depend on. We cannot manage our forests while their protectors live in fear. We must stand alongside those who everyday are standing up and defending nature. We must recognise and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions." William will on Thursday travel to the COP climate conference in Belem, described as the “gateway to the Amazon”. He invited world leaders, businesses and anyone who cares about the planet to join Brazil in playing a crucial role in shaping the world’s response to nature loss “at this decisive moment”. William toured the Guapimirim mangroves, a preserved and protected area of natural beauty in the northeast of Brazil’s picturesque Guanabara Bay. Vital for biodiversity, it is the only remaining mangrove area in the bay and has been replanted following deforestation. Managed by the Chico Mendes institute for Biodiversity Conservation, the area is cleaned and protected by local communities including a ten-strong team of Mangrove “Guardians” from Paquetá. Visitors can take eco-tours, often by boat, to see the dolphins and learn about restoration projects taking place in the area. Thousands of mangroves, growing up to 4metres tall have been planted in an area previously devastated by deforestation. William added: “Our health, our well-being, and our future prosperity are all deeply rooted in nature. We all know that we face a nature crisis… with global biodiversity decreasing, climate change accelerating, and environmental crime fuelling ecological decline. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are partners and leaders with their own solutions. Latin America in 2024 recorded 120 environmental protectors killed or disappeared - accounting for over 80% of all such cases worldwide. William said: “These are not just statistics. These are lives.” The new partnership between The Royal Foundation and the Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon, and The Podaali Fund, will create the first indigenous led fund covering the Brazilian Amazon. It will focus on some of the most pressing issues, such as expanding access to legal aid, establishing an emergency support fund to help those in immediate danger find safety and work to raise awareness of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. William said: “Because only by working together can we protect those protecting the future of our planet’s critical ecosystems. Last year William committed to make sure ten thousand rangers across the world were insured within five years , announcing that the project is well ahead on delivery, with more than six thousand rangers insured within the first year alone. He added: “When we look to the next five years of this crucial decade for our planet, I remain an optimist. We must stand alongside those who everyday are standing up and defending nature. We must recognise and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions. And we must act together.” As part of his commitment “to a safer and healthier world”, William plans to take his Earthshot Prize to all four corners of the globe having celebrated events in London, Singapore, Boston in the US and Cape Town, South Africa. Prince William was mobbed by locals taking selfies and handing babies over for him to cuddle after he sailed into the Brazilian island of Paqueta on board a Brazilian Navy speed boat. The Prince of Wales was greeted with screams of ""welcome to Brazil" ahead of his tour of island a hour from Rio de Janeiro, where he will see the Guapimirim mangrove area to learn about vital conservation work taking place. As part of his three day tour of Rio, the future king travelled to Paqueta to hear about the efforts of locals' battling to protect their environment, helping to clean and protect the region’s waters and wildlife. The tiny island, home to less than 4,000 people, is the birthplace of Brazilian and West Ham footballer Lucas Paqueta, a hero to the local community.
