Australia Will Bid to Co-host Climate Change Conference COP 31

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the Australian government is set to bid to host the conference on climate change in 2026, in partnership with Pacific nations.

Bowen said recently the Australian government has decided against bidding to host the COP29 event in 2024, and will instead focus on 2026.

"Our delegation at COP27 and our COP31 bid will go a long way to help drive Australia's economic transformation to a net-zero economy, and strengthen green trade partnerships and secure jobs for Australian workers," Bowen said in a media release.

“It’s an opportunity to work closely with our Pacific family, and we will seek to co-host the bid with the Pacific to help elevate the case of the Pacific for more climate action,” he added.

Bowen also announced Kristin Tilley, who has over a decade of experience with climate change policy, would be appointed to the role of the Ambassador for Climate Change, to work with other countries to tackle the crisis.

WWF Australia welcomed the government’s bid to co-host the COP31 climate talks, although it contained its support saying Australia should also reconsider its position on allowing new coal and gas developments.

Switzerland was in the running to bid for the 2026 conference however the Swiss government has since withdrawn its interest citing the strong impact of climate change on the Pacific nations and the fact that Australia has never hosted a UN Climate Conference, unlike Switzerland.

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