Turkey and Australia are coming under scrutiny for their roles as co-hosts of the Cop31 climate conference scheduled to take place in the Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya, with the event occurring just over a month from the article’s publication date. Activists and environmental organizations have pointed to what they characterize as a lack of substantive action from the two host nations regarding commitments to transitioning away from fossil fuels, a central objective for many participating nations.
A preparatory meeting is set to convene in Fiji and Tupalu this week, bringing together national leaders and representatives from over 50 countries. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to attend. This pre-summit gathering carries heightened expectations following Australia’s push to hold preparatory discussions in the Pacific region to emphasize the challenges faced by low-lying island nations. However, few international leaders have confirmed attendance, with some cancellations citing other pressing matters.
The timing has drawn additional attention due to a recent regulatory approval in New South Wales for a major coalmine expansion. Joint operators Yancoal and Glencore project that extending the Hunter Valley Operations thermal coalmine for 19 years could generate approximately 809 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions pending federal approval. Research by the campaign group 350.org indicates that coal trade between Australia and Turkey has been linked to over 75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since the 2015 Paris climate agreement, with the countries now expanding liquified natural gas commerce as well.
Critics have noted that official communications from Cop31 leadership have notably avoided addressing fossil fuels as a primary topic. Three formal letters outlining the summit’s mission and expectations—two from Turkey and one joint communication from both hosts—did not mention fossil fuels. Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen countered that his nation remains committed to climate action and suggested Australia could support global energy transitions through renewable energy exports rather than coal phase-outs.
The conference follows the previous Cop30 summit in Brazil, which concluded with only a voluntary agreement to begin discussing fossil fuel phase-out roadmaps after resistance from oil-producing nations. The heightened expectations for Cop31 reflect ongoing frustration over limited progress on this critical issue.
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