The United Kingdom just got a vocal climate advocate as its king. But will King Charles III keep speaking out?
The timing of the transition is noteworthy: Record-smashing heat waves scorched the Northern Hemisphere this summer.
In the U.K., where air conditioners are uncommon, temperatures hit 104 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time in July and heat melted the runway at the London Luton Airport. So far, September has offered little reprieve.
The new king has a long history of advocating for the planet dating back to the 1970s, as POLITICO’s E&E News reporter Sara Schonhardt writes. He also has a family history in the arena — his late father, Prince Philip, was a patron and past president of the World Wildlife Fund.
But the “green monarch,” as The Sydney Morning Herald called him Friday, has no technical authority over national policymaking, and would face political risks if he were to continue his outspokenness on policy now that he has the throne.
Instead, the U.K.’s central power brokers include new Prime Minister Liz Truss, who met with Elizabeth II on Tuesday just two days before the queen’s death. Truss is already facing criticism for including fossil fuel supporters and critics of renewable energy in her Cabinet.
Some environmental advocates have expressed concern about her commitment to meeting the ambitious climate goals that former PM Boris Johnson had embraced — to the surprise of many Britons — or her own calls for “doubling down” on greenhouse gas reduction.
Still, Charles has a track record. He first publicly addressed the reality of climate change in 1970, and his interest in environmental protection and sustainability has only evolved. These days, his Aston Martin runs on bioethanol made from wine and cheese byproducts.
He has also used his royal platform to advocate for forest, soil, ocean and biodiversity conservation, while pushing businesses to invest in nature preservation initiatives. Last year, Charles opened the global climate conference in Scotland, COP 26, by calling for a “military-style campaign” to harness the wealth of the private sector.
Some critics at home have accused him of “meddling” in issues that go beyond the royals’ limited role. In a 2018 interview, he appeared to promise to dial it back once he’s king, saying: “I’m not that stupid. I do realize that it is a separate exercise being sovereign.”
Now, Charles has to decide which path to take. But one thing is for certain: The world will be watching him … or at least new episodes of “The Crown.”
Thank goodness it’s Friday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO’s Power Switch. I’m your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to [email protected]
In today’s POLITICO Energy podcast, Victoria Guida breaks down the Federal Reserve’s upcoming pilot exercise that assesses how climate change might affect the nation’s financial system.
On the Hill
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he will oppose any government spending bill that includes permitting legislation — a condition of securing Sen. Joe Manchin’s support for the climate bill — underscoring progressive resistance amid protests by environmental groups, write Nick Sobczyk, Jeremy Dillon and Kelsey Brugger.
Meanwhile, both congressional Republicans and Democrats see this week’s grid troubles in California as justification for their respective energy policies, writes Nico Portuondo.
In the atmosphere
September marks the start of a new season for meteorologists. It’s the beginning of “climatological fall” in the Northern Hemisphere and, ostensibly, a transition to milder weather, writes Chelsea Harvey. But much of the U.S. is still baking, burning, withering or swimming.
Gas price cap?
The European Union should impose a price cap on foreign natural gas imports, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in an interview with POLITICO reporter Camille Gijs.
The radical proposal goes significantly beyond the blueprint outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who suggested a blocwide cap only on gas imported from Russia.
All EU countries agree that the bloc has to take steps to cut soaring energy prices — but Friday’s emergency summit of energy ministers got bogged down in the details of how those policies would work, write America Hernandez and Victor Jack.
Strange bedfellows: A new study found that online hate speech increases during extreme weather. Brace yourself for more of that.
Not just a river in Egypt: Oil companies weren’t the only ones spreading climate denial. The electricity industry also knew about the dangers of climate change 40 years ago. It denied them anyway.
The science, policy and politics driving the energy transition can feel miles away. But we’re all affected on an individual and communal level — from hotter days and higher gas prices to home insurance rates and food supply.
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A federal judge has banned General Electric’s wind turbine from U.S. markets, with two exceptions in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Tech venture capital funds have recently flocked to Brussels to weigh in on the bloc’s green plans.
A new study found that millions of acres of coastal land will be in flood zones by 2050, costing huge sums in lost property taxes.
That’s it for today, folks. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!
