Kim Kardashian West has praised Greta Thunberg for being a leading voice in the fight against climate change at just 16 years old.

Speaking to Reuters, the 38-year-old reality TV star described Thunberg as a “brave and amazing young woman”.

“She is such an amazing young girl,” Kardashian West continued, “and so brave and courageous to stand up to these grown-ups that can be really scary and for her to be so open and honest is exactly what we need.”

The Keeping up with the Kardashians star, who has 148m followers on Instagram, added that climate change is a “serious problem” and she would love for her four young children to meet Thunberg.

When asked what she would say to Thunberg if over dinner, Kardashian West said she would love to speak to her parents “and see how they encouraged her”.

Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Show all 12 1 /12 Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures In the protest that started a movement, Greta skips school to sit outside of the Swedish parliament in Stockholm in order to raise awareness of climate change on 28 August 2018 Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta stages a protest at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the House of Commons in London on 23 April PA Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses to the occupation at Marble Arch in London on 21 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta meets the pope on a visit to Rome Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta speaks at the senate in Rome on 18 April Reuters Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a debate of the EU Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 16 April AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta receives the Special Climate Protection Award at the German Film and Television awards in Berlin on 30 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a children's climate protest in Berlin on 29 March AFP/Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta addresses a children's climate protest on 1 March in Hamburg Getty Greta Thunberg inspires climate activists everywhere: In pictures Greta attends a meeting for the Civil Society For rEUnaissance at the EU Charlemagne Building in Brussels on 21 February AFP/Getty

“Did she always have that in her? How do they support her in being who she wants to be knowing that speaking on a big platform invites a lot of different opinions and personalities and how do they manage that?”

Kardashian West’s comments come after Thunberg delivered a powerful speech at the UN climate change summit in which she criticised global leaders for their lack of action.

“I shouldn’t be standing here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean,” Thunberg began. “Yet you all come to me for hope? How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

The Swedish activist, who travelled from Sweden to New York City via a zero-emission yacht for the summit, continued: “For more than 30 years the science has been crystal clear.