Prince Charles highlights urgency of climate action at RSS roundtable

AMMAN — Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, on Wednesday visited the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) where he was received by HRH Princess Sumaya, president of the RSS.

Prince Charles began the visit at the RSS science exhibition, where he was briefed on the work of the RSS Research and Development project to expand scientific understanding through research and the transformation of acquired knowledge into practical and applied solutions to meet the challenges facing Jordan and the region.

Prince Charles and Princess Sumaya were later joined by Jordanian business leaders and Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh for a high-level roundtable discussion on sustainability challenges facing the business sector and the potential opportunities of sustainable growth in Jordan.

Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Manar Al Dabbas, UK’s Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind and representatives from the RSS attended the session.

The discussion was moderated by Professor Iain Stewart, El Hassan Bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability at the RSS.

Prince Charles spoke about the role of the Sustainable Markets Initiative in mobilising the resources and talents of the commercial, industrial and financial community to push towards achieving sustainable development, pointing to the need to “find a global roadmap for the transition towards a clean and green economy in Jordan”.

“The green transition is where many jobs will be created,” the prince said, noting that it must be done as soon as possible.

The prince emphasised that there is an “enormous urgency” about tackling climate change and biodiversity laws in a way which would actually make a difference more rapidly.

Princess Sumaya expressed her happiness about the partnership between the British Academy and the RSS.

The princess emphasised the role of science in finding solutions to shared challenges for the whole world.

“As we come out of a pandemic, it is an example of the entire planet being affected by an issue that was part of the challenge to science. Now is the time for the science community to step up and work together,” Princess Sumaya told The Jordan Times. 

The princess added that infectious diseases, climate change, and many other catastrophes know no borders. “We must work together in a transboundary manner to invest in science to improve people’s lives and the sake of humanity,” the princess said.

Roundtable participants discussed opportunities and challenges for the business sector arising from Jordan’s drive for sustainable development and how to move forward the sustainability agenda in Jordan.

The meeting marked a new starting point for partnerships between the public and private sectors with a focus on the role of science and technology in supporting a green agenda and stimulating investment for innovation to promote sustainable development, according to an RSS statement.

At the end of the event, Princess Sumaya presented Prince Charles with a gift to mark his visit to the RSS.