Australia has spent a decade as one of the world’s most notorious climate outsiders thanks to a particularly meagre climate policy, even within a lacklustre global line-up. The United Nations annual climate summit, COP28, presents the nation with a chance to rebuild its global reputation.
However, we will probably face international pressure to set even more ambitious targets and address efforts to transition from fossil fuels as world leaders gather in Dubai for the annual stocktake of climate commitments since the 2015 Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to a cap of 1.5 degrees.
Despite the summit’s history over the years of lofty goals, and huge efforts to transition from fossil fuels by some nations, it is now estimated that 2023, already marred by international conflict, economic pressures and devastating fire seasons, is all but certain to be the hottest year on record.
The UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference runs in Dubai until December 12. Credit: Getty
Australia is pushing to be welcomed back into the fold and spruiking its improved climate change credentials to be considered worthy of hosting a future summit, COP31, in partnership with Pacific nations.
To this end, on the eve of attending COP28, Chris Bowen, the minister for climate change and energy, announced Australia’s emissions projections had improved and were “within striking distance” of the government’s target, a message that also sends a clear signal to Pacific nations facing inundation if 1.5 degrees of warming is exceeded.
Bowen had already announced a scheme to underwrite renewable energy projects to nearly triple the share of clean electricity generation. Then on Thursday, he told parliament Australia was on track to cut greenhouse emissions by 42 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is an improvement on last year’s projections, which had Australia tracking for a 40 per cent reduction.
None of this leaves Australia – or the world – on track to hit 1.5 degrees, but it is does show an increased effort on Australia’s part to get back on track, after years of drift, to fulfil the Paris Agreement undertaking to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change.
In Dubai, Bowen can be expected to cite progress made as proof of Australia’s suitability to co-host COP31. But it is a big ask. Australia is still the world’s second-largest exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas, and the third-largest fossil fuel exporter overall. Since 2000, Australia has approved more than 740 fossil fuel projects, and another two dozen are in the approvals pipeline. Opponents estimate new projects could release up to 22 billion tonnes of emissions into the atmosphere, dwarfing any progress made on domestic reduction policy.
For many nations at COP28, Australia’s plans to keep expanding fossil fuel production could overshadow the achievement of reducing domestic emissions and its commitment to the Pacific.
While some former Pacific leaders and elders have called on their countries to withhold support for our bid to co-host the 2026 summit until the Australian government stops approving fossil fuel projects, Canberra hopes moves to address climate impacts on the region, including offering resettlement in Australia to Tuvalu residents facing displacement from climate change and support for small climate and disaster resilient projects in the Pacific, will counterbalance this criticism.
Whatever the fate of Australia’s 2026 bid, COP summits are not necessarily diminished by the realpolitik of a host nation. Incongruously perhaps, COP28 is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates, a significant oil-exporting nation. The dual role of Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, president of the COP28 and chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has attracted negative attention. But with science making it abundantly clear that the world is dangerously off track, the summit has bigger issues to consider.
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Summit offers chance to repair climate reputation
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01.12.2023
Australia has spent a decade as one of the world’s most notorious climate outsiders thanks to a particularly meagre climate policy, even within a lacklustre global line-up. The United Nations annual climate summit, COP28, presents the nation with a chance to rebuild its global reputation.
However, we will probably face international pressure to set even more ambitious targets and address efforts to transition from fossil fuels as world leaders gather in Dubai for the annual stocktake of climate commitments since the 2015 Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to a cap of 1.5 degrees.
Despite the summit’s history over the years of lofty goals, and huge efforts to transition from fossil fuels by some nations, it is now estimated that 2023, already marred by international conflict, economic pressures and devastating fire seasons, is all but certain to be the hottest year on record.
The UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference runs in Dubai until December 12. Credit: Getty
Australia is pushing to be welcomed back into........
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