Turkey and Australia, which will host the Cop31 climate conference in Antalya next month, are drawing scrutiny from climate advocates over their continued involvement in fossil fuel production and trade amid their leadership roles in global climate negotiations.
Activists and observers have highlighted what they characterize as a significant gap between the two countries’ positions as conference hosts and their domestic energy policies. A report by campaign group 350.org noted that coal shipments from Australia to Turkey have generated substantial carbon emissions since the Paris climate agreement was signed in 2015, and both nations are expanding their liquified natural gas trade. Additionally, a New South Wales regulator recently approved a major thermal coalmine expansion that is projected to result in significant carbon dioxide emissions over its 19-year lifespan.
The criticism intensified after official communications from the conference organizers, including three preparatory letters from Turkish and Australian officials, made no mention of fossil fuels—described by observers as the primary driver of climate change. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese similarly did not address fossil fuels in a recent keynote speech at Climate Week in New York. Climate advocates have called on the host nations to follow the precedent set by the previous conference host, Brazil, by developing a concrete roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels and announcing specific coal phase-out dates.
Australian officials have defended their position, noting that the country is pursuing clean energy expansion domestically while serving as a trading partner supporting energy transitions in other nations. Australia’s climate minister stated that Treasury analysis suggests the nation could reduce global emissions by becoming a renewable energy exporter. Meanwhile, international observers have expressed concern about whether the host countries can effectively lead negotiations on decarbonization given their continued investments in coal and gas infrastructure.
The conference takes place amid rising global concern about climate impacts and warnings that the world may soon exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold established in the Paris agreement.
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