Australia and Turkey are drawing scrutiny as the joint hosts of Cop31, scheduled to take place in the Turkish city of Antalya next month, with activist organizations and climate experts questioning their commitment to fossil fuel phase-out commitments. The two nations are accused of maintaining a significant supply chain in coal and liquified natural gas while remaining largely silent on the need for a global agreement to transition away from fossil fuels—a primary objective for many participating nations.
Criticism intensified following approval by a New South Wales regulator for what campaign groups describe as the largest coalmine expansion in the state’s history. A report by 350.org cited trade data indicating that coal supplies from Australia to Turkey have generated over 75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since the 2015 Paris climate agreement was signed. The organization noted that three official letters outlining the summit’s mission and expectations—two from Turkey and one joint communication with Australia—contained no mention of fossil fuels. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese similarly omitted reference to fossil fuels in a recent keynote address at Climate Week in New York.
Australia remains one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and liquified natural gas, with this year’s shipments projected to exceed A$140 billion in value. Turkey, meanwhile, is identified as Europe’s largest coal-power generator and has signaled potential expansion of coal and gas capacity by approximately 30 percent by 2035. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen defended Australia’s position, stating that the country could reduce global emissions by transitioning to renewable energy exports and remaining a reliable trading partner as other nations pursue their own energy transitions.
The summit preparations come against a backdrop of international frustration over previous climate negotiations. Cop30 in Brazil resulted only in a voluntary agreement to begin discussions on a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap after oil-producing nations opposed stronger language. The disconnect between the host nations’ fossil fuel activities and their leadership role has drawn particular concern from Pacific island nations, which face severe climate threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.
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