Extinction Rebellion says the Queen could do more to help environment

The Queen was filmed talking about Cop26

An Extinction Rebellion protest
Author: Ellis MaddisonPublished 15th Oct 2021
Last updated 24th May 2022

The Queen has seemingly shown her irritation over the lack of action on climate change, but activists say she's still part of the problem.

Videos emerged that appear to show the Queen being critical over the lack of action from political leaders over the climate crisis, saying she found it "irritating" when "they talk, but they don't do."

However, Extinction Rebellion tweeted to say her comments did not make her exempt from being a part of the climate crisis problem.

A tweet from the activist group implied that the Queen could do more for the climate and as "the 3rd largest landowner" it "would make a huge difference" if she re-wilded her land.

The Queen on Cop26

The Queen's comments on the Cop26 climate conference were recorded on video during her visit to the Welsh Senedd on Thursday.

She spoke to the Duchess of Cornwall and Elin Jones, the parliament's presiding officer, about which world leaders would be in attendence.

She appeared to say she didn't know who would be at the summit, and said: "We only know about people who are not coming."

Should the Royal Family be doing more for the climate?

It's not the first time that the Queen has been criticised for not doing all she could to help the climate crisis.

Wildlife TV Presenter and Conservationist Chris Packham marched on Buckingham Palace last weekend to deliver a petition encouraging the Royal Family to re-wild their land.

Speaking outside the Palace, Packham said: “We’re asking our royal Family, denizens of the property behind us, to rewild the 800,000 acres of land that they have in the UK.

“If they were to do so it would be a very powerful message that would resonate with people all over the world.”

Campaign group Wild Card are backing the petition with over 100,000 signatures, and say the Royal Family owns land equivalent to 1.4% of the UK that could be put to greener use.

Prince William has been getting very involved in the environment, helping to set up the Earthshot Prize, saying it was about trying to create action.

The £50 million initiative aims to find solutions to the planet’s problems throughout the next decade.

The winners in the five categories this year will each receive £1 million to develop their projects after being chosen by a judging panel.

Cop26 at Glasgow

The Queen will be present at the Cop26 summit to carry out engagements alongside senior Royal Family members.

The summit will be attended by Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, after he was initially undecided on going.

However, China's President Xi Jinping will not be in attendance, according to The Times newspaper, which is likely to have an impact on what can be achieved.

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