At COP30 in Belém, Prince Albert II Warns of Threats to Climate Science
The Sovereign delivered a powerful address at the leaders’ summit, defending scientific rigor against ideological pressures that threaten global climate action.
Conference Opening and Context
The 30th United Nations Climate Conference began on Thursday, 6 November, in Belém, an Amazonian city in Brazil. The event is presided over by Brazilian diplomat André Corrêa do Lago. About thirty heads of state gathered in the tropical city for a pre-conference summit ahead of the official conference, which continues until 21 November.
Marking a decade since the Paris Agreement, the atmosphere remains cautious. UN Secretary-General António Guterres recognized the inability to cap global warming at 1.5°C, with temperatures now nearing 2.5°C.
“The window of opportunity we have to act is closing rapidly,” warned Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the summit's opening.
Prince Albert II’s Speech
Addressing world leaders, scientists, NGOs, and civil society, Prince Albert II condemned the rising attacks on climate science and data integrity.
“Science is now confronted with the peril of ideology and relativism, even though it has never been so certain, so accessible, so clear,”
he stated, aligning with French President Emmanuel Macron’s concurrent appeal to “choose science over ideology.”
Summary
Prince Albert II emphasized the urgent need to uphold scientific facts amid growing ideological challenges threatening effective global climate response.
Author's summary: At COP30, Prince Albert II underscored the critical threat ideological distortion poses to climate science, urging leaders to prioritize evidence-based action before it’s too late.