Speaking at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London, William said the trade in wild animal parts was "disgraceful and baffling", while praising leading conservationists.

William presented three awards at the annual ceremony held by Tusk, a charity which supports wildlife conservation work across Africa.

He used his closing speech to praise the "hugely important" work of the nominees before calling for action on climate change and other environmental threats.

He said: "As we approach the start of a new decade, the challenge ahead of us is clear and urgent.

"Climate change, human population growth, exploitation of natural resources, and habitat loss all pose major threats to the precious balance of our natural world."

William said his father the Prince of Wales had rung alarm bells about the state of the environment for many years.

"Right now, young people the world over are ringing that planetary alarm bell louder and with more determination than ever before," he added.

"My generation and those following are acutely aware that we cannot simply carry on as we are.

"We have to move faster and more effectively to find ways to balance our demands on this planet with the nature we share it with."

The duke has been the patron of the Tusk charity since 2005 and visited its projects in Namibia and Tanzania last year.

The Duchess of Cambridge was also scheduled to attend the event, but due to an undisclosed matter regarding their children, William attended alone.

Australian Associated Press