King Charles draws attention to climate change and ‘particularly vulnerable’ Australia

Discussion of natural disasters and climate change made up about one-third of the King’s address to Parliament House.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the Australian War Memorial. Picture: Victoria Jones / Getty Images / Pool

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King Charles drew particular attention to climate change in his address in Parliament House, saying Australia was “particularly vulnerable” to its effects and that recent natural disasters were an “unmistakeable sign” of it.

He said Australia has “all the natural ingredients to create a more sustainable, regenerative way of living” such as wind or its “famous sunshine”.

The King also said it was the “timeless wisdom of indigenous people throughout the entire world” for everyone to be “good stewards of the world … because we are all connected, both as a global community and with all that sustains life”.

King Charles, who has famously championed environmental causes for decades, chose to feature climate change prominently in his address on Monday. Discussion of natural disasters and climate change made up almost 400 words of his about 1200-word address.

He said the Australian “character” was revealed particularly during times of disaster and listed recent ones such as the Black Summer bushfires, the “relentless floods of 2022 and 2023”, and cyclones Jasper and Kirrily.

“Life here has always entailed these extremities of survival and endurance,” he said. “Yet, in their magnitude and ferocity, as well as their frequency, they are new.

“The regular role of unprecedented events is an unmistakeable sign of climate change, to which Australia is so particularly vulnerable.”

He hailed Australia’s “leadership” on global initiatives in climate change and said Australia was “tracking the path towards a better and safer future”.

“Australia has all the natural ingredients to create a more sustainable, regenerative way of living,” he said.

“By harnessing the power with which nature has endowed the nation, whether it be wind or its famous sunshine, Australia is tracking the path towards a better and safer future.

“It is in all our interests to be good stewards of the world and good ancestors to those who come after us, because we are all connected, both as a global community and with all that sustains life. That is the timeless wisdom of indigenous people throughout the entire world, from which each one of us can benefit.”

The King said the Commonwealth of Nations was well placed to tackle climate change and other global crises such as wars.

“The Commonwealth spans six continents and as a group has the size and influence to play a significant role on the global stage, while being small enough to nurture personal relationships,” he said. “It has the diversity to understand the world’s problems and the sheer brainpower and resolve to formulate practical solutions.”