Antalya, Türkiye, will stage next year’s COP31 climate talks after vying for the role of host city with Adelaide, Australia.
Australia and Türkiye have negotiated a deal under which the latter will host the summit while Australia will preside over summit negotiations and hold a pre-COP31 event in the Pacific.
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Despite Australia having conceded to Türkiye, environment groups have urged the Australian government to show leadership and use its role to drive the phase out of fossil fuels.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said, “Whatever the forum, whoever the President, the urgency and focus cannot change, and phasing out fossil fuels and ending deforestation must be at the core of the COP31 agenda.
“Prime Minister Albanese and his government are not fighting hard enough for our future. Here in Belém, Australia was a notable absentee from the press conference calling for a road map to end fossil fuels. Australia should clearly and unequivocally commit to supporting Pacific demands for a phase out of fossil fuels and to do everything possible to limit warming to 1.5°C.
“The Albanese government must end approvals for new coal and gas projects, and deliver a clear national plan and timeline for the managed phase-out of all fossil fuels, including exports.
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“The world’s political leaders have a sacred duty to limit warming to the 1.5°C temperature goal, agreed under the Paris Agreement 10 years ago.
“Any delay will be measured in the accelerating loss of human life and the destruction of the natural world. The obligation to act is clear. What matters is the action we take now.”
