King Charles to lead ‘call to arms’ on green issues as world leaders gather for COP28 summit, Rishi Sunak says

THE King drew on his five decades of campaigning on environmental issues and led a “call to arms” in his COP28 speech this morning.

Charles, 75, who has refused to be distracted by the Endgame race row drama, warned time is running out to save the planet.

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King Charles has been fighting on a string of environmental issues for the past 50 yearsCredit: Getty

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Talking of the King, the PM said: ‘I’m delighted that he’s going to be at COP. He’s giving a call to arms in the opening statement’Credit: Alamy

He had two face-to-face meetings at the Expo2020 arena first with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

And later he held a bilateral meeting with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, just hours after Israel renewed military operations in Gaza.

Among other world leaders the King met was Brazil’s President Lula and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

But in a rare honour, King Charles was invited to address world leaders as one of three opening speakers at COP28.

The Monarch said in his address: “Eight years ago, I was most touched to be asked to speak at the opening of COP21 in Paris, which of course culminated in the Paris Agreement.

“A landmark moment of hope and optimism, when nations put differences to one side for the common good.

“I pray with all my heart that COP28 will be another critical turning point towards genuine transformational action at a time when, already, as scientists have been warning for so long, we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached.”

The King said he has spent “a large proportion” of his life “trying to warn of the existential threats facing us over global warming, climate change and biodiversity loss”.

But, despite this, Charles said there is 30% more CO2 in the atmosphere now than then, and nearly 40% more methane.

He added: “Some important progress has been made, but it worries me greatly that we remain so dreadfully far off track.”

The King warned dangers of climate change “are no longer distant risks”.

Charles highlighted the increase of repeated cyclones, decades-long droughts and unprecedented floods around the globe.

King Charles added he has “tried to say on many occasions” that rapid change and care for the “unique economy” is vital to our survival.

The King said: “We are carrying out a vast, frightening experiment of changing every ecological condition, all at once, at a pace that far outstrips nature’s ability to cope.

“Our choice now is a starker and darker one: how dangerous are we actually prepared to make our world?”

He continued and warned tackling climate change is a “job for us all”.

The King continued: “In your hands is an unmissable opportunity to keep our common hope alive.

“I can only urge you to meet it with ambition, imagination, and a true sense of the emergency we face.

“If we act together to safeguard our precious planet, the welfare of all our people will surely follow.”

Some important progress has been made, but it worries me greatly that we remain so dreadfully far off track.”

King Charles IIICOP28 speech

King Charles set out a series of questions including how to ensure “finance flows” to more organisations that can help deal with the environmental crisis happening across the globe.

The monarch also campaigned for more innovation and development in renewable energy across all industries.

In addition, he asked how we can “ensure coherent long-term approaches across sectors, countries and industries”.

King Charles added: “For virtually every artificial source of greenhouse gas emissions, there are alternatives or mitigations which can be put in place.”

Our choice now is a starker – and darker – one: how dangerous are we actually prepared to make our world?”

King Charles IIICOP28 speech

Finally, King Charles questioned how we can bring the next generation together to create “an ambitious new vision” for the next century.

To mark the end of his COP28 speech, the monarch said: “The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also in Dubai for the summit.

Talking of the King, the PM said: “I’m delighted that he’s going to be at COP. He’s giving a call to arms in the opening statement.”

Cop28 kicked off on Thursday and ends on December 12, with the UK government pledging £1.6billion for international climate change.

This figure includes a £60million injection into a loss and damage fund for the world’s poorest countries.

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The monarch warned that tackling climate change is a ‘job for us all’Credit: Getty

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King Charles III joined world leaders in proceeding on foot to the World Climate Action Summit in DubaiCredit: PA

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King Charles was invited to address world leaders as one of three opening speakers at COP28Credit: AP

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The King warned dangers of climate change ‘are no longer distant risks’Credit: Reuters