Crowning Fortune

ROYAL FUNDS TO HELP NATURE AND PEOPLE

Not long after the announcement from King Charles III, that profits from a £1 billion-a-year Crown Estate wind farm deal are to be used for the 'public good' rather than go to the Royal Family, The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF) has today (31st January 2023), announced the awarding of £1.95m in grants to seven charities over the next three years. The funding recipients were selected by Trustees, across the UK, the Commonwealth and Internationally, for their enormously important work in the areas of environmental sustainability and social inclusion, both subjects close to The King's heart. They include The Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife International, Practical Action, Age Scotland, Carers Trust, BIGKID Foundation and Omega.

Since 2009, royalties from the high welfare, Waitrose Duchy Organics range, founded by His Majesty Charles III in 1990, have generated in excess of £34m for PWCF and the good causes it supports. They continue to have a real impact, as Nikki Jefferey, Executive Director PWCF said, "... in helping those vulnerable or in need, and those looking to create sustainable solutions to support nature and mitigate the climate crisis."

The Wildlife Trusts in the UK will receive £390,000 over three years to put people at the heart of tackling the climate and nature catastrophe, exploring opportunities for green finance and helping to establish a professional national land management advisory service. Plantlife International will receive £390,000 over three years to develop a science and impact programme to help with the promotion of wild plants and fungi and a grant of £390,000 to Practical Action will allow small holder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to develop agricultural systems that can adapt to climate change and still provide a good standard of living.

GREEN 'WIND-FALL'

The six new offshore wind energy lease agreements, announced by The Crown Estate, with the potential to power more than 7 million homes, not only represent a significant milestone in the UK's response to climate and energy security but will also generate huge revenue and HM King Charles III has requested that the extra funds "be directed for wider public good", instead of to the Sovereign Grant, at a time when many are facing financial hardship.

Three of the six projects are located off the North Wales, Cumbria and Lancashire coast, and three are located in the North Sea off the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast and together they reinforce the UK's position as the second largest offshore wind energy generator in the world. Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine, at The Crown Estate, said: "Today marks a significant milestone for the UK on the road to net zero, unlocking green energy potential for more than seven million homes and demonstrating to the world that the UK offshore wind industry is growing at pace to help meet the climate challenge."

**NB: According to an announcement on 31/1/2023 from Climate Brief - a UK-based website covering the latest developments in climate science, climate policy and energy policy, wind and solar supplied more of the EU's electricity than any other power source for the first time ever in 2022.