Turkey and Australia, scheduled to host the Cop31 climate conference in Antalya next month, are drawing scrutiny from environmental organizations and government representatives over their continued involvement in fossil fuel production and trade. The two nations are sharing hosting responsibilities for the fortnight-long summit, with Australia holding the role of “president of negotiations” for formal talks among nearly 200 nations. Critics argue the arrangement represents a contradiction given the countries’ ongoing expansion of coal and liquified natural gas exports.
Activist groups and climate analysts point to the absence of fossil fuel commitments in official communications from the Cop31 hosts. Three formal letters outlining the summit’s mission—two from Turkey and one jointly from both nations—made no mention of fossil fuels, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not address the topic during a recent keynote speech at Climate Week in New York. A report by campaign organization 350.org cited data indicating that coal supply between Australia and Turkey has generated over 75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since the 2015 Paris agreement, with the countries now expanding their liquified natural gas trade.
The timing has intensified concerns, as state regulators in New South Wales approved a major coalmine expansion shortly before preparatory meetings for the summit. The joint owners of the affected thermal mine estimate a 19-year life extension could result in 809 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions if federal approval is granted. This decision has prompted criticism from Pacific island nations, whose representatives argue the approval sends problematic signals during a critical negotiation period.
Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has countered that fossil fuel exports remain integral to the country’s economic and strategic interests, noting that Australia could reduce global emissions by becoming a renewable energy exporter. He indicated that supporting trading partners’ energy transitions aligns with Australia’s national interests. The Cop30 summit in Brazil the previous year produced only a voluntary agreement to discuss fossil fuel phase-out roadmaps after oil-producing nations resisted stronger language, creating expectations that Cop31 would achieve more decisive outcomes on the issue.
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