Swedish monarch King Carl XVI Gustaf, well-known for his lifelong environmental engagement, landed in a bit of hot water at COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Belém, Brazil, by questioning how much of the world’s climate challenges Europe is supposed to take financial responsibility for.
In an interview with Swedish state broadcaster Sveriges Radio, the monarch said he doesn’t believe the conference will be able to come to an agreement. “We all have to take our own responsibilities and try to do the best we can,” he said, pointing out that Europe is already taking significant steps to limit CO2 emissions.
“Europe produces only 6%,” he said. “And everyone complains that it’s too much. But the rest of the world is much, much worse.”
Asked whether it isn’t “fair” that wealthier countries foot more of the bill for ‘climate transition,’ he responded, “You can think whatever you want about this. But how much are we actually supposed to pay? That’s the crucial question.”
Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (Liberals) said the 6% still represents “a significant amount,” adding that “If all countries were to think that their percentage doesn’t matter that much, then this issue would end up resting only with China, the USA, and India. That wouldn’t be good.” She also disagreed with the king on questioning the financial burden on Sweden and the EU:
Our prosperity is largely built on a fossil-based economy that other countries cannot replicate. That’s why it’s good that Sweden is one of the largest donors in the world when it comes to climate aid.
The king—who, according to the Swedish Constitution, cannot “hold political office or perform political functions”—has now come under fire for getting too outspoken.
Katarina Eckerberg, professor emerita in political science at Umeå University, thinks the king’s statement is inappropriate. “Commenting on how the negotiations might hypothetically turn out is not something the king should involve himself in, because that is politics,” she said.
Royalty expert and journalist Ebba Kleberg von Sydow, however, told Sveriges Radio that not only the Swedish king but also British royalty have a long history of environmental concern and that she found King Carl Gustaf to have been balanced in his statements.
COP30 continues until November 21. Sweden has not sent a government minister to the proceedings, according to Dagens Industri.
