<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/coalition-refuses-to-back-australia-and-pacific-island-nations-hosting-2026-un-climate-summit/>
"A major climate summit Australia hopes to host with Pacific island nations
could be in jeopardy under a coalition government.
It has reignited the debate between Labor and the Liberals over environmental
commitments and Australia’s standing in the Pacific, where climate change is an
existential issue, ahead of an imminent federal election.
Australia is bidding to host the annual Conference of Parties climate summit in
2026 and has gathered support from allies and the Pacific.
Turkey is also bidding to host COP31, and both parties failed to reach an
agreement at the COP29 summit hosted in Baku in November 2024.
The coalition’s climate change spokesman Ted O’Brien wouldn’t commit to
supporting the co-hosting bid.
“Our priority is to get costs down for everyday Australian households and
businesses, that’s what matters most,” he told
AAP.
“Labor’s priority is hosting a global climate change summit.”
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen clapped back, accusing the opposition of
political games.
Labor has said a co-hosted summit with the Pacific would show Australia is
serious about tackling climate change and its commitment to the region where
it’s a major priority for island nations.
It also questioned the opposition’s commitment to the Pacific if it wasn’t
serious about climate action.
“We are bidding to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific because it is in
Australia’s national interest to bring down energy bills and emissions with
reliable renewables while safeguarding our international relationships,” Mr
Bowen told
AAP.
“It’s bold from Ted O’Brien, who has spent more time overseas studying
expensive international nuclear systems than listening to our experts on
Australia’s unique solar and wind opportunities.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
