Is King Charles Actually Doing Anything for Sustainability in the U.K.?
King Charles is replacing his cars and helicopters with greener models.
Published Sept. 23 2024, 10:47 a.m. ET
Long before he took the throne as King of the United Kingdom in 2023, Charles III expressed a desire to leave a legacy prioritizing sustainability initiatives. Since his coronation as king, Charles III has shared a number of plans and schemes to improve environmental sustainability within the Royal Family.
Several of these plans include noteworthy sustainable travel initiatives. Below, we take a look at a few of the King's plans to improve the Royal Family's travel footprints.
The King's Bentleys will receive a sustainability overhaul.
Per Parade, in July 2024, King Charles ordered his two state Bentley vehicles to be converted to run on biofuel. The biofuel cars are only a stopgap, as the King's eventually intends for the two cars he's chauffeured in to be upgraded to all-electric vehicles, per the Associated Press.
The King is replacing his 15-year-old helicopters.
In July 2024, The Guardian reported that two of the Royal Family's 15-year-old helicopters would be replaced with new models, which can be powered by 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
In September 2024, private jet company Sentinel Aviation shared that the Royal Family was set to accept delivery of two such helicopters — Agusta Wetland AW139 models — by the end of 2024.
“The use of helicopters is a key component of delivering engagements by His Majesty, as Head of Nation, and other members of the Royal Family,” according to a section on page 27 of the Sovereign Grant Annual Report, which was published in July 2024.
The Royal Household will have sustainable fuel readily available.
King Charles's updated transportation should aid in reducing the Royal Household's collective emissions and expenditures on gasoline. According to The Independent, the family spent £1.2 million on gas in 2024, which is less than the £1.4 million spent the previous year.
According to page 27 of the Sovereign Grant Annual Report, a Sustainable Aviation Fuel tank was temporarily constructed on the Royal Air Force grounds in Odiham in the U.K. Additional plans include installation of a permanent fuel tank by 2025-2026 to ensure access to this sustainable fuel option.
Environmental impact is being taken into account for travel plans.
Page 26 of the Sovereign Grant Annual Report makes it clear that several factors are considered when assessing the necessity of air travel for royal business.
"Safety, security, the need to minimize disruption for others, the effective use of time, environmental impact, and cost are taken into account when deciding on the most appropriate means of travel," according to the report.
The report notes a few improvements from the 2022-2023 timeframe to 2023-2024, including roughly 400 fewer trips for official engagements, and seven fewer trips where the cost of travel exceeded the equivalent of about £17,000.
A Head of Sustainability was hired to improve the Royal Family's environmental footprint.
Royals past and present have been criticized frequently for what some have deemed excess travel, leaving behind a significant carbon footprint.
Taking King Charles's pledge towards a reduced carbon footprint a step further, in March 2024, that the Royal Household hired a Head of Sustainability, GB News reported. The person chosen for the job was Ruth Knight, who has held various environmental and sustainability leadership roles, including one with the Mayor of London.
There is of course more that King Charles could do to protect the environment in the U.K. and beyond, and hopefully he will continue and expand these efforts during his tenure as sovereign.
