Prince Charles ‘flew 125miles in a private helicopter to give climate change speech on aircraft emissions’
PRINCE Charles has been blasted over claims he flew 125miles in the Queen’s helicopter to give a climate change speech on aircraft emissions.
The royal was picked up in the chopper up at Highgrove, Glos, and flown to Cambridge.
After landing in the helicopter a chauffeur-driven Bentley then dropped him off at Cambridge University’s Whittle Laboratory on Friday, the Sunday Mirror reports.
It was there that Charles, 71, told scientists to “act quickly to rescue this poor old planet”.
He said during a speech: “We haven’t got time to waste.
We have run out of time now to rescue this poor old planet from man-made emissions and all the complications we’re now facing, all the challenges we’re facing.
Prince Charles
“We have run out of time now to rescue this poor old planet from man-made emissions and all the complications we’re now facing, all the challenges we’re facing.”
But just moments after giving his eco-friendly speech he was in the air and being ferried 53 miles back to Sandringham to see the Queen.
The full helicopter journey caused carbon emissions of around 2.5 tonnes, used hundreds of gallons of aviation fuel and cost at least £12,000, according to experts.
If the Prince had travelled by car he could have slashed his carbon footprint down to around 0.2tonnes.
He has been blasted for the trips by eco groups who have accused him of not “walking the walk” on his pleas for people to watch their carbon footprint.
Graham Smith, CEO of campaign group Republic, told the Mirror: “He wants to play the role, but not walk the walk. His view seems to be that it’s one rule for him and one rule for the rest of us. Driving or using the train would have been pretty easy.”
Dr Lucy Gilliam, aviation and shipping campaigner for environmental group Transport & Environment, said: “He could have used a private car with a chauffeur, ideally an electric one if he really wanted to walk the walk. He can definitely afford a Tesla.
He wants to play the role, but not walk the walk. His view seems to be that it’s one rule for him and one rule for the rest of us.
Graham Smith
“I don’t doubt that Prince Charles really does get the message, but if he wants to be really effective, he must make those changes that will send such an enormous signal to the world.”
A Clarence House spokesman said: “The Prince is not personally involved in decisions around his transportation arrangements, though he ensures all carbon emissions are offset every year.
“They are made based on what is possible within the constraints of time, distance and security.
“In order for him to undertake as many engagements as he does across the UK and around the world he sometimes has to fly.
“As he has often said, as soon as there is a more sustainable way of making these journeys, he’ll be the first to use it.”
FULL OF HOT HEIR
Charles’ chopper journeys come after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle came under fire for using private jets despite lecturing the public on the effects of climate change.
In September it was revealed the Duke of Sussex had used private jets for six out of ten flights since marrying Meghan – despite claiming to travel commercial “99 per cent” of the time.
He and wife Meghan, 38, used a charter flight six times this summer while launching a bid urge the public to watch their carbon footprint.
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Launching his new eco-tourism project in Amsterdam in September, he argued he always ensured his travel was carbon neutral.
The Prince said: “Occasionally, there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe, it’s genuinely as simple as that.
“As I said in my speech – it is about balance. If I have to do that – and it’s not a decision I would want to take – I would ensure, as I have done previously and I will continue to make sure I do, is balance. I have always offset my CO2.”
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