'Surely a coincidence!' Meghan and Harry's Archewell scrutinised over timing of pledge
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry's organisation's pledge to become net zero came just a few hours after the Queen's memorable speech to world leaders at COP26, a royal commentator noted.
Queen's speech at COP26 'is appropriate' says expert
Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell announced on Tuesday evening it is committing to becoming net zero by 2030. This pledge came some 24 hours after the Queen's video message was broadcasted at the COP26's evening reception on Monday.
Following Archewell's statement, royal commentator Russell Myers took to Twitter to speak about the timing of the announcement.
The Daily Mirror's royal editor wrote: "Surely a coincidence this comes just 24 hours after Harry’s grandmother the Queen spoke of her pride for son Charles and grandson William in their efforts leading up to #COP26".
In her speech, Her Majesty urged world leaders to "rise above the politics of the moment" and find agreement for the sake of future generations.
Moreover, she praised the work done to raise awareness on conservation and the environment by Prince Charles, Prince William and her beloved late husband Prince Philip.
She said: "It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William.
"I could not be more proud of them."
Many social media users appreciated the pledge by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' organisation.
One, named Dandylione wrote: "This is wonderful news. Love these two.
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"I know this issue has always been very important to Harry. Archewell is doing great things!"
A second, named Haljia, added: "That is our most beloved Sussex they didn’t just talked the talk they walk the walk. Archewell zero emission by 2030."
And another Twitter user with the nickname Flowers said: "That's what I am talking about, more actions less pretending to work. Love The Sussex Team"
In its statement, Archewell - which encompasses a non-profit foundation and the production divisions Audio and Productions - said: "While we have actively made choices to offset and balance this carbon footprint, now, with the tools provided by partner organizations, we know that we can all do better.
"We can be net zero, and this is what we pledge to do.
"We are a young company, but today, Archewell joins our co-founders in committing to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
"Achieving net zero carbon emissions means making a series of choices over time to make that footprint as small as possible, while compensating for any remaining emissions through high-quality carbon removal projects."
The organisation set out its plan to achieve net zero, explaining it will work with an external consultant to track its footprint and then make steps towards becoming net zero.
The statement added: "As we begin this endeavor, we will leverage the expertise of the non-profit organization Travalyst, founded by The Duke, and the sustainable investing platform Ethic, to focus our investments in support of a low-carbon economy."
Meghan and Harry announced last month they had become impact partners of Ethic, in a bid to make sustainable and conscious investing mainstream.
Travalyst, on the other hand, was launched in September 2019 by the Duke of Sussex, who leads a coalition of giants in the tourism sector trying to make sustainable travels more accessible to tourists.
The statement also noted both Meghan and Harry had had "a long-standing commitment to the planet" both as a couple and before their nuptials.
Prince Harry followed in Prince Philip's footsteps and focused much of his royal work on conservation.
In 2017, he became president of African Parks, a conservation NGO that manages 19 parks in 11 countries on behalf of governments and communities across Africa.
He also discussed the environment and the challenges the planet faces during a conversation with Dr Jane Goodall, included in the September 2019 issue of British Vogue guest-edited by the Duchess of Sussex.