Prince William brings climate mission to Brazil ahead of COP30

RIO DE JANEIRO:

Britain's Prince William arrives Monday in Rio de Janeiro for a visit focused on ideas to protect the planet, before flying to the Amazon rainforest to address global leaders at UN climate talks.

The future king's first visit to Brazil is centered around his annual Earthshot Prize which awards one million pounds ($1.3 million) to five pioneering projects tackling threats to the environment.

In Rio, William will meet local communities, visit iconic sites, and celebrate young climate leaders, according to Kensington Palace.

His Earthshot Awards ceremony on Wednesday will be a star-studded affair, with Brazilian popstar Anitta, Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes and three-time Grammy winner Seu Jorge among those to walk the "green carpet" before performing.

Jason Knauf, the CEO of The Earthshot Prize, told journalists that past winners and finalists had "protected and restored over one million hectares of land and ocean, and just one has brought clean water to over 200 million people."

Prince William will also take part in the United for Wildlife Summit which will this year focus on environmental crime, a project run by his Royal Foundation.

"From illegal logging and gold mining to wildlife trafficking, these crimes are pushing vital ecosystems like the Amazon past the point of no return," said Tom Clements, executive director for conservation at the Royal Foundation.

The heir to the British throne will then fly to the Amazon city of Belem, host of the COP30 climate talks, to participate in a meeting of heads of state.

William will deliver a speech on behalf of the British government and his father, King Charles, said a Kensington Palace spokesman, adding that the prince would also participate in a number of bilateral meetings.

The Earthshot Prize is one of several climate-focused events taking place in Rio, known for its dramatic beach and mountain scenery and vibrant culture, ahead of COP30.

Hundreds of mayors from major cities around the world will join in the Local Leaders Forum which will showcase local climate solutions.

The events come as Rio de Janeiro is still reeling from its bloodiest-ever police raid on a powerful criminal faction which left 121 dead this week and laid bare the city's enduring security challenges.