COP31 hosts Australia and Türkiye face the fossil-fuel question
COP31 will be co-hosted by Australia and Türkiye in Antalya, a novel arrangement where both countries share responsibilities. Both nations are significant fossil fuel users and exporters, raising questions about their commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels, despite the conference's focus on electrification and marine protection.
Why it matters
The co-hosting by major fossil fuel nations creates a potential conflict of interest for climate negotiations, impacting the credibility and effectiveness of global efforts to combat climate change.
The next United Nations climate change conference, COP31, will be held in Antalya in Türkiye in November this year. Türkiye will be hosting the event, with its environment minister Murat Kurum serving as COP31 president. Australia will oversee the negotiations process, with its energy and climate change minister Chris Bowen as the vice-president of COP31.
This is a novel arrangement — a result of both Australia and Türkiye not being willing to concede their demand to host, and where both countries share crucial responsibilities . In previous editions, the COP’s physical host has differed from the president only for logistical reasons.
A pre-COP event will be held in Fiji on October 5-8, where Pacific Island countries and Australia will discuss preparations for the main event, including what to negotiate. These pre-COPs are a routine affair before the annual summits.
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