Speaking in an event attended by Boris Johnson, Prince Charles warned leaders have an “overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn”

Prince Charles today called for trillions of dollars in investment every single year to stop a climate change disaster.

The Prince of Wales warned tomorrow’s COP26 summit in Glasgow was “literally the last chance saloon” to avert global temperature rises above 1.5C.

Speaking in an event attended by Boris Johnson, he warned leaders have an “overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn”.

The heir to the throne made the intervention at the G20 summit in Rome, hours before leaders of the world’s richest nations depart for the 12-day COP summit tonight.

Leaders of the world’s richest nations had pledged $100billion a year in private and public finance to nations most vulnerable to climate change by 2020.

But they have missed the target, which is tipped to only be hit in 2023.

And Prince Charles told G20 dignitaries: “It is only too clear that we will need trillions of dollars of investment every year to create the necessary new infrastructure and meet the vital 1.5C target climate that will save our forests and farms, our oceans and our wildlife.

“No government has those sorts of sums, which is why I’ve spent so much time over the past 19 months trying to form a global alliance amongst the private sector, as I have long believed it holds the ultimate key to the solutions we seek.”

Repeating a warning the made earlier this month, the Prince added: “COP26 begins in Glasgow tomorrow. Quite literally it is the last chance saloon.

“We must now translate fine words into still finer actions, and as the enormity of the climate challenge dominates people’s conversations from newsrooms to living rooms.

“As the future of humanity and nature herself are at stake, it is surely time to set aside our differences and grasp this unique opportunity to launch a substantial green recovery by putting the global recovery on a confident, sustainable trajectory and thus save our planet.”

The senior royal said it was “impossible not to hear the despairing voices of young people who see you, ladies and gentlemen, as the stewards of the planet, holding the viability of their future in your hands”.

He added: “The planet’s health today will dictate the health, happiness and economic prosperity of generations t come. Hence our overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn.

“After nearly 50 years of trying to raise awareness of the growing environmental crisis, I am, at last, sensing a change in attitudes and the build-up of positive momentum.”

Downing Street appeared to distance itself from Prince Charles’ call for more than $1trillion a year for climate action – as rich nations still try to hit a $100bn-a-year target.

Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We would of course want every country to make ambitious commitments when it comes to climate financing.

“The UK has already put in £11.6billion towards that ($100bn) target. We believe that is the right number for us, and is a significant sum of money, and it’s right it is provided.

“We will continue to discuss with individual countries about what more can be done.”

Asked if the UK government supported Prince Charles’ position, he replied: “You’ve got our position as regards to climate financing.”

No10 were unable to say if the Prince and the Prime Minister spoke privately at the event or what was said.

Prince Charles said COP26 is the “last chance saloon” while Boris Johnson described it as a “way station” towards global goals.

Asked if the Prince was more ambitious than the PM, Boris Johnson’s spokesman replied: “No, that’s not at all how I would characterise it.

“The Prime Minister has talked about the vital importance of securing agreements throughout the COP26 period. That has not changed.

“It is just simply factual that this COP26 was not meant to secure agreements necessary to limiting to 1.5C in one fell swoop.

“That goal is to be achieved over this decade.”

Prince Charles was invited to speak by Italy’s prime minister, Mario Draghi.

He will also deliver the opening address at the UN climate change conference which opens today and tomorrow in Glasgow.

Some 25,000 delegates from 196 nations will descend on COP26 tomorrow, including more than 120 world leaders greeted personally by the PM.

A glittering opening ceremony will also see speeches from Mr Johnson and Sir David Attenborough – followed by a royal reception with a video message from the Queen, who is unable to attend for health reasons.

World leaders will also watch a short film written by an eight-year-old Blue Peter viewer, imagining a future where beloved animals are extinct.

Boris Johnson said: “COP26 will be the world’s moment of truth. The question everyone is asking is whether we seize this moment or let it slip away.”

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