Prince Charles cancelled a skiing holiday in Switzerland in a bid to reduce his carbon footprint, his office said Saturday.

The decision came a day after campaigners and a government minister criticized his decision to fly to New York with a 20-person entourage to collect an award for work on environmental issues.

Prince Charles, shown in 2006, plans to reveal details of his carbon footprint (the measure of greenhouse gases created by his activities) later in the year.
(Barry Batchelor/Associated Press)

Environment Secretary David Miliband expressed reservations Friday about the heir to the British throne travelling to the U.S. for the ceremony, while advocacy groups urged the prince to use a video link instead.

Prince Charles's Clarence House office said the prince had decided last year to cancel a regular skiing holiday to Switzerland as part of an effort to reduce the number of flights he takes.

Details of the prince's carbon footprint — the measure of greenhouse gases created by his activities — are scheduled to be published along with his annual office accounts later this year.

The document will set out targets for the reduction of carbon emissions by his office and household.

During the two-day trip to the U.S. beginning Jan. 27, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit youth development, urban regeneration and environmental conservation projects, the British Council in New York said Friday.