King Charles will have to consult six different organizations before making any changes to the 71 gas-powered lanterns in the courtyards of Buckingham Palace.
The king wants to provide the lanterns with new covers for LED lamps, making them more energy efficient.
But before any work can be done he must seek the views of Historic England, the Metropolitan Police, the Gardens Trust, the Royal Parks and the National Amenity Societies.
The sun reported that an application must go through Westminster Council planning officers before any changes can be made.
Each organization has been informed of the King's plans and has been asked if they would like to make 'comments or observations' by the end of January.
A source told The Sun: 'How many civil servants does it take to change a royal light bulb? Way too much, it seems!'.
By replacing the old light bulbs, the King is joining the government's environmental plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.
The new lighting will be planned for the Forecourt and Ambassador's Court at Buckingham Palace, the newspaper reported.
King Charles (pictured during a visit to The Gate charity) wants to convert the gas-powered lanterns in the courtyards of Buckingham Palace with new shrouds for LED lamps
The new lights will be planned for the Forecourt and Ambassador's Court at Buckingham Palace – pictured with the RAF band playing during the Changing of the Guard ceremony
LED lamps are significantly more energy efficient than traditional incandescent lamps because they last much longer, produce very little heat and have a longer lifespan.
It comes as the Crown Estate looks to build on its impressive green energy portfolio.
Since coming to the throne, the king has renovated two state-owned Bentleys to run on biofuel.
This is an “interim measure” as the palace “starts discussions on the fully electrified next generation of state vehicles.” A spokesperson said they have yet to decide on the brand of electric cars.
The Crown is also replacing two helicopters, with the King insisting on models that can run on the maximum amount of renewable fuel.
Instead of the 15-year-old Sikorksy S-76s, the palace is purchasing two AgustaWestland AW139s, which can use 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The Palace has installed a temporary SAF tank at RAF Odiham in Hampshire as the royal family pushes for the fuel to be used more widely.
Steps have also been taken to make the estate greener with solar panels on the roof of Windsor Castle as part of recent renovation work.
During the king's ecodrive, the state Bentleys and helicopters (photo) will run on biofuel
Windsor Castle (photo, file) is also equipped with solar panels as part of the eco drive
An aerial view of Windsor Castle and the Windsor Castle area on July 17, 2021
Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said last year: 'The leaky lead roof went out and the castle's first solar panels came in – just one of a number of environmental initiatives, driven by a determination to put sustainability at the heart of our business operations. operations and inspired by His Majesty's leadership in this area.”
King Charles appointed a new head of sustainability in 2023 to accelerate progress in reducing the royal family's carbon footprint, resulting in a 3 percent drop in natural gas and heating emissions across the royal estate.
But overall greenhouse gas emissions rose fractionally from the previous year, with a spokesperson putting this down to 'increased emissions from business travel'.
The monarch also welcomed leaders from business and climate organizations to the palace for an international sustainability reception in November 2024.
Attendees included Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Net Zero Minister Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed.
