How do you broker UN climate talks when your own country is a big coal and gas exporter? Chris Bowen is about to find out
Summary
Australia’s climate minister, Chris Bowen, will lead negotiations at the UN’s Cop31 climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, amid calls for countries to move away from fossil fuels. The talks will focus on limiting warming beyond the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C goal, climate finance for poorer countries and a proposed global target to increase electrification, but fossil fuel transition plans are not on the official agenda.Key Facts
- The two-week Cop31 talks will bring together nearly 200 countries.
- Turkey will serve as conference president, while Australia will lead the negotiations under a compromise over hosting rights.
- Australia is the world’s second-largest exporter of coal used for power and the largest exporter of coal used in steelmaking.
- Australia supplies about one fifth of global liquefied natural gas exports, and its government forecasts fossil fuel export value of $141bn this financial year.
- Turkey and Australia support a proposed 2035 goal for electricity to make up 35% of global final energy use.
- Bowen identified climate finance, limiting overshoot of the 1.5C temperature goal and electrification as priorities; ocean protection is also expected to feature.
- Detailed country plans to transition away from fossil fuels are not on the official Cop31 agenda.
- Climate scientist Bill Hare urged Australia to keep developing a global roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels.
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