King Charles joins Albanese, Forrest aboard climate ship

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda: King Charles has lent his support to an Australian initiative to cut the use of oil in global shipping, highlighting his interest in action on climate change despite the political argument about the cost.

The King joined Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and mining billionaire Andrew Forrest at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua to meet supporters on the deck of a vessel that uses green energy to reduce reliance on diesel.

The event also backed a new environmental fund with at least $280 million for a new Commonwealth Nature Initiative to improve protection for habitats and oceans by 2030.

Charles met Albanese on board the Fortescue Green Pioneer as Forrest hosted more than a dozen Commonwealth leaders to launch the new fund and highlight his belief that green energy can replace or augment fossil fuels.

The Green Pioneer, a 75-metre vessel, arrived in the port of St John’s in Antigua ahead of the Commonwealth summit of 56 member states – known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) – where leaders from Pacific and Caribbean states are some of the loudest voices for action on climate change.

The ship uses ammonia produced from renewable energy as well as traditional diesel shipping fuel, part of a wider push at the International Maritime Organisation to try to curb emissions.

But US President Donald Trump has railed against the attempts to set climate targets in the shipping industry, warning of a “carbon tax” and vowing to stop the moves.

“The United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping,” Trump said last year.

Members of the International Maritime Organisation voted last October to postpone a decision on the proposed Net Zero Framework for the industry, setting up a new vote later this year.

The moves set the scene for further attempts by the Trump administration to lobby countries to reject the plan, making support among the Commonwealth’s 56 member states an important factor in any outcome.

Albanese last met Charles during a visit to Britain in September 2025, when he flew to Scotland to see the head of state at the Balmoral Castle royal estate.

The event on Monday afternoon (Tuesday, AEDT) brought together more than a dozen leaders from countries ranging from Tonga to Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Mozambique.

The King spoke with Albanese during the event but did not make a speech to the assembled leaders.

Albanese praised Charles for his environmental leadership.

“Renewable energy will lower costs, not increase them, and will boost economic growth and productivity,” the prime minister said.

“And I congratulate all involved on this initiative, but particularly the leadership of His Majesty King Charles.”

The Commonwealth Nature Initiative is backed by private donors including the Minderoo Foundation, led by Forrest and his former wife, Nicola, and the Rob Walton Foundation, set up by the son of the founder of the Walmart retail chain.

While the initiative aims to mobilise government funding, Albanese made no announcement of an Australian donation. The CNI begins with $US200 million ($288 million) and aims to raise $US1 billion by 2030.

It will not operate as a pooled fund and will instead coordinate financial pledges from donors, governments and the private sector.

The initial supporters also include the Rainforest Trust, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (set up by of the founders of Intel), the Waitt Foundation, and National Geographic Pristine Seas.