After a protracted and contentious bidding process for Australia and Pacific Island nations to co-host the UN climate summit, COP31 will instead be held in Turkey. Australia’s Climate Minister, Chris Bowen, is set to assume a pivotal role as the COP President for negotiations. While further details are forthcoming, this new development raises questions about Australia’s commitment to collaborating with Pacific nations during the summit.
Initially, COP31 was anticipated to be a landmark event for the Pacific, providing Australia with an opportunity to restore its credibility in climate action and to bolster support for Pacific island nations that are most vulnerable to the climate crisis. A primary concern for many was how to ensure that the summit would not become merely an Australian-led event with superficial Pacific involvement. The current arrangement complicates that scenario even further.
Despite Turkey officially hosting the event, the potential remains for Pacific leadership to shine on the global stage and for regional collaboration to be underscored. There is concern, however, regarding the adequacy of proposed pre-COP meetings in the Pacific to secure meaningful participation and influence for Pacific nations.
Pacific nations have made significant strides in pursuing ambitious climate action despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Their advocacy has been critical, including their successful push for the crucial 1.5°C temperature limit established in the Paris Agreement—an essential target for the survival of Pacific islands affected by rising sea levels. Notably, Australia itself faces climate-related vulnerabilities, as highlighted by its first national risk assessment published in September.
Recently, law students in Vanuatu led initiatives that resulted in an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding state obligations tied to climate change. This opinion asserts that the 1.5°C target is a legal requirement and emphasizes the need for significant emissions reduction efforts from all countries, particularly major emitters.
Moreover, Pacific leaders are actively promoting the significance of oceans in climate discussions, recognizing healthy oceans as vital for mitigating global warming and fostering the well-being of coastal communities. Their holistic approach connects climate action with ocean conservation—captured in the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration—which outlines a distinctly Pacific framework for regional security and cooperation.
For Pacific nations, climate action transcends economic policy—it embodies survival. This sense of urgency has fostered innovative and ambitious responses to climate challenges, providing valuable lessons for Australia. The critical question for COP31 now is how Australia can uphold its commitment to the Pacific while engaging in a summit hosted in Turkey.
Disappointment has surfaced among Pacific nations like Papua New Guinea at the unfulfilled expectation of a co-hosted COP31. Australia must deliver on its commitments, as support from Pacific nations has been strong for the initial hosting bid and should not diminish in this latest arrangement.
Despite officially leading the negotiations, Australia must also ensure that COP31 resonates with the actions and standards established by Pacific climate advocates. A successful outcome depends on recognizing the fight for the 1.5°C target as both a legal obligation and a matter of survival.
Holding the COP31 Presidency offers Australia a pivotal chance to champion priorities that align with the Pacific, potentially advancing discussions on Indigenous knowledge, ocean stewardship, and a future free of fossil fuels. Emphasis on ocean-related issues can leverage the strengths of both regions, paving the way for transformative outcomes regarding marine health, ecosystem protection, and funding for coastal resilience.
Regional collaborations are foundational to effective climate action. The upcoming pre-COP negotiations in the Pacific should embody a shared commitment that permeates the COP31 agenda and financial pledges. Australia’s credibility in climate matters will ultimately depend on its willingness to listen to and amplify the voices of the nations that have long been at the forefront of climate action. Even without the physical presence of COP31 in the Pacific, Australia must continue to honor its partnership in combating climate change.
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