Prince Albert II calls for global alliance to combat climate change: “Nature is our most powerful ally”
During the debates, Prince Albert II stressed the essential role played by the world's oceans and the sustainable blue economy © Michaël Alesi / Prince's Palace
Prince Albert II was part of a round table discussion between political leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists on the subject of the climate emergency, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
On Wednesday 24 September, the Whitby Hotel hosted an informal summit organised by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The meeting, attended by government officials, business leaders and philanthropists, examined three areas for action: preserving ecosystems, technological innovation and the implication of private players.
Seeking stronger partnerships
In his speech, Prince Albert II defended a pragmatic approach to the climate crisis. He emphasised the role of oceans, forests and wetlands in capturing carbon, while stressing their vulnerability: “Nature is our most powerful ally in the fight against climate change… But nature cannot defend itself alone. It is reliant on all of us: communities, institutions and decision-makers. No one player can succeed alone,” he said, calling for coordinated action by governments, local authorities, businesses and foundations. He cited Monegasque initiatives, in particular the ReOcean Fund, which finances projects to combat plastic pollution and promote marine restoration , and also mentioned the Global Coral Reef Fund, set up with the Paul G. Allen Foundation, which pools public and private funding.
The round table confirmed the willingness for collaboration between the Tony Blair Institute, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation on issues of climate adaptation and financing.
While in New York, Prince Albert II also met with Sonia Guajajara, the Brazilian Minister for Indigenous Peoples, to discuss her Sāo Paulo-based Foundation’s “Forests and Communities” initiative.
At the Monegasque Mission to the UN, he received Asmita Satyarthi, representing the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, whose academy trains young leaders in “compassion” in the face of social injustice.
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