In an explosive report in The Sun, former MP Norman Baker shared a study revealing that the former royals’ carbon emissions are 26 times higher than the average Brit.
Along with the heat and carbon emissions from their luxury LA mansion, Harry and Meghan reportedly generate 215 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year – considerably larger than the UK average of 8.3 tons for one person.
According to Mr Baker, the couple carried out a minimum of 53 international flights in the 12 months to the end of January 2020 and were most recently spotted in a Cadillac Escalade – one of the most polluting cars in the world.
“The only thing green about Prince Harry are his wellies,” the former MP declared.
“The self-appointed eco-warrior, who likes to lecture everybody else on climate change, is in the top one per cent of people on the planet for carbon emissions. He should cut the carbon and, if not, at least cut the c**p.”
The report comes in the wake of Meghan’s keynote speech at the virtual 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit where she urged young women around the world to be the leaders when it comes to key global issues.
“This is a humanity that desperately needs you,” the Duchess of Sussex told more than 40,000 young people in 172 countries.
“To push it, to push us, forcefully in a more inclusive, more just, and more empathetic direction. To not only frame the debate, but be in charge of the debate—on racial justice, gender, climate change, mental health and wellbeing, on civic engagement, on public service, on so much more. That’s the work you’re already out there doing.”
Harry and Meghan were criticised last year for their use of private jets and one occasion flying on four private planes in 11 days.
Sir Elton John, a close friend of the couple, also revealed that he paid for the couple to travel by private jet to his home in Nice, France, however the red-headed royal hit back at critics by explaining that he spends “99 per cent” of his life travelling the world on commercial flights.
“Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on unique circumstances to ensure my family is safe. It’s genuinely as simple as that. What it is about is balance,” he said.
“If I have to do that ‒ it’s not a decision that I would want to take ‒ but if I have to do that then I would ensure, as I have done previously and I will continue to do, is to balance out that impact that I have. I have always offset my CO2.”
Prince Harry also launched Travalyst last year, a global initiative that aims to encourage more sustainable and environmentally-friendly travel.
“I’ve learned that we cannot dismiss the idea of trying to do something, just because we can’t do everything,” Harry said in a speech for the initiative.
“We can all do better. And while no one is perfect, we are all responsible for our own individual impact; the question is what we do to balance it out.”