King Charles III has delivered a message to delegates attending the World Leaders’ Summit at COP31 in Antalya, urging governments, businesses and international institutions to accelerate efforts to tackle climate change and protect the natural environment.
In his message published on 11 November 2026, the King thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish Government and the people of Türkiye for bringing the international community together at a critical moment. He also acknowledged Australia's role as President of Negotiations.
The King emphasised that climate change is no longer a distant threat, pointing to the increasingly severe consequences of extreme weather events around the world.
Climate Change Is Already Affecting Communities
Highlighting the devastating effects of rising global temperatures, King Charles warned that communities worldwide are experiencing increasingly severe heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and storms.
He stressed that recent disasters have demonstrated the immediate and growing dangers posed by climate change, making international cooperation more important than ever.
Drawing on more than five decades of environmental advocacy, the King said the interconnected challenges of climate change and the destruction of nature require urgent and coordinated action.
He welcomed the COP31 Presidency's determination to translate existing international commitments into practical measures.
Call for Clean Energy and Methane Reduction
A central theme of the King's message was the need to accelerate the global transition towards renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
He identified the elimination of unnecessary methane emissions and leaks from the oil and gas industry by 2030 as one of the fastest ways to slow global warming in the near term.
The King also called for greater investment in renewable energy, green electrification and the protection and restoration of forests, oceans and other vital ecosystems.
He highlighted the importance of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry in reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and strengthening food security.
According to the King, the transition to cleaner energy systems is essential not only for environmental protection but also for economic prosperity, energy security and resilience.
Governments and Businesses Must Work Together
King Charles underlined the importance of mobilising sufficient financial resources to support global climate action.
He urged governments, businesses, investors, financial institutions and philanthropic organisations to cooperate in directing investment towards sustainable development.
The King argued that innovative financial models, investment mechanisms and insurance solutions could help vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change.
He also emphasised the role of the private sector in developing sustainable markets, calling for stronger partnerships between governments, businesses and civil society.
King Charles Praises International Climate Cooperation
Despite the scale of the challenges, the King expressed optimism about initiatives already delivering measurable progress.
He referred to London Climate Action Week 2026, where he said he had been encouraged by individuals and organisations transforming climate ambitions into practical achievements.
He also highlighted the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, describing it as an example of international cooperation and renewed commitment to protecting the natural environment.
The King welcomed leaders' determination to strengthen the resilience of communities particularly vulnerable to climate change.
A Message to Antalya: Action Must Define COP31
Concluding his message, King Charles called on delegates attending COP31 in Antalya to demonstrate a shared sense of purpose and translate international climate commitments into meaningful results.
He stressed that the summit's success should ultimately be measured by concrete action rather than political declarations.
“Our children and grandchildren will not judge us by the promises we made, but by what we chose to do,” the King declared.
His message places particular emphasis on the responsibility of world leaders to deliver lasting environmental progress, positioning COP31 in Antalya as an important opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate global climate action.
