Prince William joins forces with Leonardo DiCaprio as he announces major new initiative

The Prince of Wales announced a major new initiative today as he joined forces with Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and called on governments, businesses and civil society to "step up and play their role" in restoring and protecting our planet at a summit on his second day in Brazil.During a powerful speech in front of 400 people at the fourth annual United for Wildlife Global Summit, the heir stressed that we cannot "manage our forests while their protectors live in fear" and urged people to protect the protectors in order to "ensure the future of these critical environments".

William said that "we must stand alongside those who, every day, are standing up and defending nature" - often at great personal risk. He warned that environmental crime is one of the most profitable and damaging forms of transnational crime, driving violence and corruption and negatively impacting the livelihoods of millions.

Hailing the indigenous peoples and local communities who work tirelessly to protect the Brazilian Amazon from deforestation, the prince said: "These are people taking enormous risks to protect the land and the future we all depend on. We cannot manage our forests while their protectors live in fear."

The Amazon is facing deforestation from sectors including agriculture, logging and mining, as well as wildlife trafficking and the building of roads and dams, while those who seek to protect its environment are targeted.

In 2024, 120 environmental protectors were recorded as killed or disappeared in Latin America, accounting for over 80 % of all such cases worldwide.

"These are not just statistics. These are lives," he said.

William used his speech to announce the new initiative for those defending the Amazon.

The new strategic partnership between the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife programme, the Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), the Podáali Fund, Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN) and Re:wild, will focus on pressing issues such as expanding access to legal aid, establishing an emergency support fund to help those in immediate danger find safety and work to raise awareness of Indigenous Peoples' rights.

It aims to build on a ranger insurance package William announced at last year's Earthshot Prize in South Africa and extend the prince's commitment to those risking their lives to protect nature.

"It is a great honour to be here in Rio de Janeiro at the first United for Wildlife Summit in this incredible region.

"Latin America stands as a global leader in biodiversity and environmental conservation.

"The region is home to the world's largest tropical rainforest and from the Andes to the Atlantic Forest, Latin America harbours some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Ecosystems that are irreplaceable.

"As the host of COP30, Brazil will play a crucial role in shaping the world's response to nature loss at this decisive moment.

"Our health, our well-being, and our future prosperity are all deeply rooted in nature.

"Tonight, we've heard powerful voices - from indigenous leaders and government ministers to corporate CEOs and environmental crime experts. Each speech shows us that even in the face of immense challenge, optimism remains.

"The commitments they announced here today serve to remind us not only of the urgency with which we need to act, but also of the opportunities that lie ahead.

"We all know that we face a nature crisis, with global biodiversity decreasing, climate change accelerating, and environmental crime fuelling ecological decline.

"As we've heard this evening, environmental crime is now one of the most profitable and damaging forms of transnational crime.

"In the past year alone, over 1.7 million hectares of the Amazon were cleared across this region much of which is driven by illicit activity.

"This crime fuels violence and corruption, distorts legitimate economies, and negatively impacts the livelihoods of millions.

"For Indigenous communities, these losses are not just environmental but existential. As forests are destroyed, so are their ancestral lands, sacred sites and even lives.

"Indigenous Peoples and local communities are partners and leaders with their own solutions.

"They are not just residents of the forest - they are its protectors. Their stewardship has kept deforestation rates in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon up to 83% lower than in unprotected areas globally.

"But today, these protectors are under attack.

"Those who stand in the way of illicit activity face deadly consequences. Latin America recorded 120 environmental protectors killed or disappeared in 2024 - accounting for over 80% of all such cases worldwide.

"These are not just statistics. These are lives.

"These are people taking enormous risks to protect the land and the future we all depend on.

"We cannot manage our forests while their protectors live in fear.

"That is why today, I am proud to announce a new partnership between The Royal Foundation and the Coordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon, and The Podaali Fund - the first indigenous led fund covering the Brazilian Amazon.

"As we have just heard, COIAB's work has been critical to fighting for the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon.

"This initiative means working in partnership with those who know the land best.

"A partnership that will first focus on some of the most pressing issues, expanding access to legal aid. Establishing an emergency support fund to help those in immediate danger find safety and work to raise awareness of Indigenous Peoples' rights.

"This partnership will be guided by Indigenous leadership, delivered through Indigenous mechanisms, and focused on those most at risk such as isolated communities, female indigenous leaders and those living near international borders.

Because only by working together can we protect those protecting the future of our planet's critical ecosystems.

These efforts form the central pillar of a growing Nature's Protectors Initiative - ensuring that Indigenous and local voices are central to the conservation of the forests, wildlife, and the climate we all depend on.

"And we are already seeing the impact of this work.

"Last year, I stood on stage in Cape Town, to launch a new ranger insurance and welfare initiative in partnership with the Game Rangers Association of Africa and Tusk Trust.

"Wildlife rangers do vital, but often, unrecognised work and they are now doing one of the most dangerous jobs on earth.

"I committed that we would make sure ten thousand rangers were insured within five years and I'm pleased to announce today that we are well ahead on delivery, with more than six thousand rangers insured within the first year alone.

"And that is why we are going further by working to replicate this model around the world. So that more of nature's protectors are properly supported to do their vital work.

"And so, when we look to the next five years of this crucial decade for our planet, I remain an optimist.

"Tomorrow night, here in Rio, the Earthshot Prize will honour some of the most inspiring people and solutions to our planet's greatest challenges.

"Taken together, all these efforts show us what is possible when courage, creativity, and commitment come together.

"And our task here today is clear. We must put a stop to the criminal networks driving environmental crime and destruction.

"We must stand alongside those who everyday are standing up and defending nature. We must recognise and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions.

"And we must act together.

"Governments, businesses and civil society - each must now step up and play their role in developing solutions, scaling support, and shifting resources to where they are needed most.

"As we look ahead to COP30 in the Amazon, let us carry our determination forward united in purpose, bold in ambition, and unwavering in our commitment to a safer and healthier world. Thank you.

The five-year financial package was established to provide 10,000 rangers with access to affordable in-service and medical evacuation insurance cover.

In its first year alone, the programme has insured more than 6,000 rangers across Africa.

The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife programme was created in 2013 by William.

Concluding his speech on Tuesday evening, William said: "We must stand alongside those who, every day, are standing up and defending nature. We must recognise and celebrate these protectors, not just in words but through our actions. And we must act together.

"Governments, businesses and civil society - each must now step up and play their role in developing solutions, scaling support, and shifting resources to where they are needed most.

"As we look ahead to COP30 in the Amazon, let us carry our determination forward... united in purpose, bold in ambition, and unwavering in our commitment to a safer and healthier world."

William said: "We cannot manage our forests while their protectors live in fear. And we cannot protect environmental defenders without securing the territories they defend.

"This initiative means working in partnership with those who know the land best to strengthen Indigenous-led systems, deliver legal aid, and emergency support.

"We must protect the protectors - if we're to ensure the future of these critical environments."

Before the royal's speech, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who has long championed climate change, made a surprise appearance at the summit, speaking via a video message and urging leaders to act.

He said: "Nature is our most powerful solution. I urge world leaders to unite with courage and ambition because the world depends on it."

Other speakers at the summit included South Africa's Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dion George, and Norway's special envoy for Climate and Forests, Andreas Dahl-Jorgensen.