The presence of King Charles at the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt would be “very powerful,” thinks US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry. Kerry added that the new British monarch’s credibility and leadership on environmental issues would make a difference.
Many people are well informed about royal trivia, but not so many know that until recently Prince of Wales and today King Charles III has spent a significant part of his life on environmental issues.
King Charles spoke before COP26 in Glasgow
Here is Her Majesty’s recorded message for the 7th Our Ocean Conference. He outlined his continued commitment to mobilizing action on climate, building on the momentum of COP26 in Glasgow last year.
Charles, who succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth as King last month, spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2021 summit in Glasgow. He described the conference as a “last chance saloon” to save the world from climate change.
Unfortunately and considering the circumstances in his country, earlier this month, a royal source said Buckingham Palace had sought government advice on the summit. There was a unanimous agreement that Charles should not attend COP27 in person. The Sunday Times reported at the time that then-prime minister Liz Truss had told him not to go.
Also, a spokeswoman for new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said today she was unaware the previous government’s advice had changed.
The presence of King would make a difference
US climate envoy John Kerry told Sky News late yesterday that according to his opinion it would be fantastic to have leaders of countries, no matter if it’s the government or the monarchy, in Sharm el-Sheikh. This was Kerry’s answer when asked if the presence of king Charles would help proceedings at COP27.
Kerry said that the presence of King Charles III would make a difference. It is not because of his title, but because of his long history of fighting on behalf of the environment. Thus, the new British king has credibility more than anybody else.
Here is also a brief of King’s speeches during the years.
The presence of King Charles III in the Sharm El Sheikh talks is even more important now. It’s because the new prime minister Rishi Sunak announced he will not go. Sunak said today that he is proud of the government’s record on climate change prevention. Also, he said, Britain had demonstrated leadership on the issue. But, Sunak’s government now has to focus on domestic issues ahead of a major fiscal statement next month.
Sunak’s decision to skip COP27 raised criticism from Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party. He said that many people would expect the UK prime minister to not only attend the COP but to use it as an opportunity to bring world leaders together.
Yet, if King Charles will attend COP27 or not is up to him, and he will decide if it’s the proper occasion for his first attendance abroad as a British monarch.