Non-profit urges Australia to step up ahead of COP31

A global non-profit is urging Australia to commit to concrete steps towards a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels and accelerate the expansion of renewable energy ahead of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP31.

International environmental organisation 350.org has called on the Australian government to agree on concrete steps towards a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, accelerate the expansion of renewable energy, and deliver the climate finance developing countries urgently need.

The event will take place in Antalya, Türkiye from November 9 to 20, with Australia serving in a co-hosting and co-leadership role.

A number of delegates from Australia will attend the event this year. Chris Bowen, the minister for climate change and energy, being one of them, has been designated as president of negotiations for COP31, which gives him authority to lead the formal negotiations, draft texts and build consensus.

As world leaders prepare to gather in Antalya for COP31, 350.org warned the world cannot afford another decade of delay in transitioning away from fossil fuels.

"The UN climate conference starts amidst the largest fossil fuel crisis in history and people all over the world are facing increasingly devastating climate impacts while fossil fuel companies continue to rank obscene profits," the non-profit said.

350.org criticised Australia and Türkiye as among "the very few industrialised nations with no deadline to stop burning coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel there is."

"And they're still expanding. Australia, the second largest coal exporter in the world, also dominates in global coal expansion.

"Meanwhile, millions of people are paying for it, with soaring energy bills, catastrophic floods and deadly heatwaves. It's only going to get worse if governments don't end their toxic relationship with the fossil fuel industry soon," 350.org said.

Efe Baysal, Türkiye program manager at 350.org, commented Türkiye has a unique opportunity to demonstrate what climate leadership looks like.

"Hosting COP31 comes with a responsibility to help move the world beyond fossil fuel dependence and towards an energy system that works for people, not polluters. Communities in Türkiye and across the region are already experiencing the consequences of climate change, from extreme heat to water stress and wildfires," Baysal said.

"We cannot keep treating these impacts as a distant threat. COP31 must deliver real progress towards a just transition away from fossil fuels, with renewable energy, climate resilience and people's livelihoods at its heart."