COP31 in Türkiye a missed opportunity for Australia and the Pacific

With Australia having secured a role as ‘COP President-Negotiations’ – but with Türkiye set to host COP31 in Antalya – the Australian Conservation Foundation said the Albanese government must drive the rapid phase out of fossil fuels to demonstrate its commitment to climate action.

“Make no mistake, this is a missed opportunity for Australia and the Pacific,” said ACF’s climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean from the COP30 conference in Brazil. 

“As COP President-Negotiations, Australia will be expected to close the gap to keep climate change within tolerable limits and lead the phase out of fossil fuels for domestic use and export.

“COP is the world’s main forum for deciding on action to combat climate change. It has not been hosted in our region since it was held in Bali, Indonesia, in 2007.

“We are disappointed Prime Minister Albanese did not pull out all stops and come to Brazil to demonstrate the government’s commitment to secure COP for Australia and the Pacific in Adelaide.

“While the Pacific is positioned to have a pre-COP role in the lead up to COP31, it would have been much greater if the event was hosted in Adelaide.

“This is a blow to our Pacific neighbours, who have contributed the least to the climate crisis, but who are among the worst affected.   

“Australia remains a major contributor to global emissions. The Albanese government continues to approve coal and gas projects that will outlive many of us.

“The best way for the government to show it’s serious about climate action would be to commit to phase out fossil fuels for domestic use and export.”

The announcement ends months of speculation with Türkiye and Australia vying to host the event, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the host’s economy. 

ACF’s First Nations lead and Robe River Kuruma and Marthedunera Traditional Owner, Josie Alec, is also in Brazil.

“An Australia Pacific COP could have been a turning point for Indigenous people from all over the world to be welcomed to Australia to show our resilience as a people and share our experiences on the crisis that faces us and our neighbouring families in the Pacific.”