The Prince of Wales will tell the COP26 summit that a “war-like footing” is needed to tackle the climate crisis.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference in Glasgow, Prince Charles is due to call for a “vast military-style campaign” to channel the resources of the global private sector.

The prince will be the most senior royal at COP26 after doctors told the Queen to avoid the summit and rest.

The heir to the throne has described COP26 as “the last-chance saloon”.

Prince Charles, who has long been a champion of environmental causes, is expected to emphasise the urgency of dealing with the climate crisis.

“We have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing,” he will say, as he urges world leaders to work with business to tackle climate problems.

He is due to say: “We need a vast military-style campaign to marshal the strength of the global private sector, with trillions at its disposal.”

Prince Charles addressed world leaders gathered at the G20 summit in Rome on Sunday – calling for “fine words” to be translated into “still finer actions”.