The key facts

  • King Charles III addressed COP31 participants in Antalya with a call for concrete climate action
  • He named eliminating methane leaks in the oil and gas sector by 2030 as one of the fastest available ways to slow near-term warming
  • The King stressed the need for finance at the required scale and for state–business partnerships

Address to the summit in Antalya

King Charles III of the United Kingdom called on world leaders gathered at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, to turn climate commitments into concrete action. In his words, future generations will judge them by their deeds, not their promises. The King also thanked the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the government and the people of the country for uniting the international community.

Priorities: methane, energy, nature

In his address, Charles III stated that 'recent events have reminded us, sometimes in the most tragic ways, that climate change is not a distant threat but a present and growing reality.' He called for accelerating emissions reductions, the transition to clean energy, and the protection of nature. The King singled out the task of eliminating unnecessary methane emissions and leaks in the oil and gas sector by 2030, calling it 'one of the fastest available opportunities to slow near-term warming.' He also emphasized the need for the accelerated deployment of renewable energy, the protection of forests and oceans, the restoration of ecosystems, and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities.

The question of finance

Speaking about climate finance, the King noted that governments, businesses, investors, institutions, and philanthropic organizations must jointly mobilize the capital needed for a sustainable future. 'None of this can be achieved without finance at the required scale,' he said, emphasizing the importance of public–private partnerships and innovative financial models.