Prince Charles Goes Green, Saves Dough

(AP)  Prince Charles' income grew last year, while his carbon footprint shrank.

The eco-friendly prince even has an Aston Martin that runs on wine.

An annual review of Charles' accounts released Monday said the prince made more than 16 million pounds (U.S. $32 million) from property and investments between April 1, 2007 and March 31 2008, 7 percent more than in 2006-7. Charles paid 3.4 million pounds ($6.8 million) in tax, 5,000 pounds ($10,000) less than the year before.

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Photos: Hollywood Goes Green

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The prince's office said greater use of green energy and fewer plane and car journeys helped Charles cut the amount of carbon dioxide he produced by 18 percent to 3,081 tons.

Charles has promised to reduce his emissions of greenhouse gases by 25 percent between 2007 and 2012.

The report said Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, traveled 37,000 miles on official duties and overseas travel accounted for the largest chunk of the prince's carbon footprint.

For domestic travel, the prince's Jaguars, Audi and Range Rover now run entirely on biodiesel made from used cooking oil, and his 38-year-old Aston Martin is fueled by bioethanol from surplus wine.

The prince has also installed wood-chip stoves at his country homes - the Highgrove estate, where he farms organically, and Birkhall in Scotland - and energy-efficient boilers at his Clarence House residence in London.

"I hope it shows a good picture," said royal aide Sir Michael Peat. "I really do believe that the contribution their royal highnesses make to national life continues to develop and broaden."

The 59-year-old heir to the throne receives private income from properties of The Duchy of Cornwall, the 136,000-acre estate established in 1337 by King Edward II to provide income for his heir.

Charles' official spending, including money spent on charitable work and official duties, was 10.4 million pounds ($20.8 million). His personal spending, which includes the salaries of 30 full-time staff, was 2.2 million pounds ($4.4 million), down from 2.6 million pounds.

However, Charles' thrifty gene appears to have skipped his oldest son. A British newspaper reported Monday that five helicopter flights taken by Prince William during training with the Royal Air Force cost taxpayers more than 50,000 pounds ($100,000).

The most contentious was a flight to attend a stag party on the Isle of Wight off southern England, which cost just over 8,700 pounds ($17,400), The Guardian reported.

The newspaper said it obtained the figures from the Ministry of Defense under a freedom of information request.

William also flew military aircraft to his girlfriend Kate Middleton's home, his father's country house and the royal residence at Sandringham.

The Ministry of Defense said "all flights undertaken by Flying Officer Wales were a legitimate part of his RAF training." But the ministry acknowledged there had been "a degree of naivety in the planning of the training sorties."

By Jill Lawless

[cfin5]

I''ll comment to commend him on the grass of the organic farming, but leave the briers of the carbon manure alone. I''ll take real manure for my garden,....don''t need any ideological libnure. Good mineral rich soil makes healthy plants. I prefer a nice amount of volcanic ash thoroughly mixed in and compost. My potatoes are doing very well this year. No disease or scabbing, hardly any Colorado Beetles (never ever let them mature)......I''ll bet his garden would be something to see!

[boston1954]

negative comments written by people that have not got a clue as to who the man really is or his commitment to the planet Posted by sheila1346
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Too bad he was not so commited to Diana.

[babooph]

Did he say I should eat cake?

[sheila1346]

I am amazed at all of the negative comments written by people that have not got a clue as to who the man really is or his commitment to the planet and the environment. I am afraid your prejudice against royals or someone with money is getting in the way of facts.This man has single handedly done more then any one person or organization anywhere. Please check your facts before you spout your political hate filled rhetoric.

[whitemale08]

He''s not a Prince he''s one of the "PLANNERS" calling for the reduction of the human population through environmental groups like the Siera Club and Wild World Federation Fund.

He''s also a proponent of the British East India Company Financial Empire which steals resources and labor from 3rd world countries through the IMF and paper FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES.

[kennedy7955]

Yeah, he went from flying a zillion miles a year to a billion. Very magnanimous of him.

[extremophil]

How ludicrous to imply that Prince Chum is environmentally aware. I bet his platinum jet runs on champagne, too.

[cdfoxtrot]

Too bad his spoiled brat son won''t do likewise, instead of taking army chinook helicopters to impress his girlfriend and show off to this pals, creating pollution and squandering taxpayers money in the process.