Queen Elizabeth addresses UN climate summit: ‘Time for words has now moved to the time for action’

Queen Elizabeth II addressed the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday in a video message saying “the time for words has now moved to the time for action.”

“I’m delighted to welcome you all to the 26th United Nations climate change conference,” Elizabeth said. “And it is perhaps fitting that you have come together in Glasgow, once heartland of the industrial revolution, but now a place to address climate change.”

The Queen honored her late husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in her address, saying she was “especially happy” to speak on the effects of climate change as the subject was close to her husband’s heart.

“I remember well that in 1969 he told an academic gathering if the world pollution situation is not critical at the moment, it is as certain as anything can be that the situation will become increasingly intolerable within a very short time,” she said, adding that she took “great pride” in Philip’s advocacy for the environment.

She noted that her husband’s advocacy has continued through her son Charles, Prince of Wales and grandson William, Duke of Cambridge. Both Charles and William are taking part in COP26, with the former calling for a “warlike” effort to address climate change on Monday. 

While the Queen acknowledged the challenges the high-level summit is seeking to address, she expressed in the ability of nations coming together to “solve the most insurmountable problems.”

“I for one hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to rise above the politics of the moment and achieve true statesmanship,” said Elizabeth.

“It is the hope of many that the legacy of this summit written in history books yet to be printed will describe you as the leaders who did not pass up the opportunity, and that you answered the call of those future generations,” she continued. “That you left this conference as a community of nations with a determination, a desire and a plan to address the impact of climate change. And to recognize that the time for words has now moved to the time for action.”

Last week, Elizabeth spent one night in the hospital and was soon after advised to rest for the next two weeks. It is unclear if she was planning to attend COP26 in-person, though others have travelled to Glasgow to represent the British Royal Family. William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the conference on Monday, joining Charles.

This evening The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for a #COP26 reception, which saw Her Majesty The Queen address the assembled delegates via a
recorded message pic.twitter.com/10nUpfje8F

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) November 1, 2021

Numerous new goals and actions have come from the U.N. conference so far, including a commitment from India — the third largest emitter of CO2 – to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also reportedly preparing to announce that his nation will be backing a $1 billion World Bank loan to India for green infrastructure.

This past weekend, Charles addressed the G20 summit in Rome and called the COP26 conference “the last chance saloon” to save the planet.

“The future of humanity and nature herself are at stake,” Charles said to world leaders. “We must now translate fine words into still finer actions,” the 72-year-old British prince added with regard to the climate conference.