The Albanese government is currently under fire from climate and clean energy advocates for its inability to secure the rights to host the upcoming global climate talks. Despite extensive efforts to secure the event, Australia has not yet locked in the opportunity to host COP31 next year.
Many had hoped that Australia would announce itself as the host of COP31 during last year’s talks in Azerbaijan or at recent meetings in Germany. However, Climate Minister Chris Bowen’s attendance at these events did not result in securing Australia’s hosting rights for 2026.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously identified Adelaide as a potential location for the talks, which Australia aims to co-host with its Pacific neighbors. While Australia has garnered support from most members of its UN group, Turkey is also vying to host the event and has not conceded defeat.
The annual UN climate talks, known formally as the Conference of the Parties (COP) of signatories of the Paris climate treaty, hold significant importance for shaping future global climate diplomacy and strengthening security ties with Pacific nations. Former foreign minister Bob Carr emphasized the need for Australia and the region to demonstrate leadership following America’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
“We need to elevate this and make it a sophisticated, all-of-government approach,”
Carr stated, urging Labor to draw on past governmental experiences in similar diplomatic endeavors. Richie Merzian, a former Australian climate diplomat turned chief executive of Clean Energy Investor Group, highlighted that organizing such an event requires full diplomatic force and engagement from key stakeholders.
“To pull off something this complicated requires every tool available… We are less than 18 months out from when we’re expected to host,”
Merzian expressed concern.
“It doesn’t feel like we are within cooee of actually locking it in.”
Despite facing challenges in securing hosting rights, Minister Bowen remains optimistic about Australia’s chances. He mentioned that counterparts in the Pacific region continue to show strong support for hosting COP31 Down Under.
“They’ve already been making their views very clear… They want to see COP31 in Australia,”
Bowen affirmed. However, pressure mounts on Turkey—a competitor seeking hosting privileges—to reconsider its bid.
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes likened arranging these talks as organizing a “climate Olympics,
” emphasizing that time is ticking for preparations. Smart Energy Council chief John Grimes urged a collective national effort akin to past successful bids like Sydney’s 2000 Olympics campaign led by Paul Keating.
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Australia is at its best advocating on the global stage… We absolutely should be doing this,” Grimes asserted regarding seizing business opportunities tied with hosting COP31. Efforts were made last year by Australian officials traveling to Turkey with hopes of persuading them towards withdrawing their bid post-election victory; however, Turkey’s strategic interests have prolonged decision-making processes.
“This is pivotal… This is pivotal … transition,” Merzian stressed on urgency related to clean energy commitments tied with successfully hosting COP31.
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