The Australian Government has an enormous opportunity to put ambition, equity and inclusion at the centre of COP31, ACOSS said today after an agreement was reached with Turkiye.
"Presiding over the COP31 negotiations and having the Pre-COP in the Pacific presents a crucial opportunity for Australia to demonstrate leadership and match words with action," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie AO.
"We expect the Australian Government to work in genuine partnership with Pacific nations – including supporting their participation in Türkiye – because their very survival depends on limiting warming to 1.5 degrees. The Pacific must be at the centre of the COP31 discussions and decisions.
"While COP31 won't be physically in Australia, the knowledge of First Nations peoples must still be put front and centre of Australia's domestic and global climate plans delivered at the conference next year. Their voices, wisdom and solutions are essential to addressing the climate crisis.
"Australia must work with the Pacific and Turkiye, to drive greater ambition, equity and inclusion. We need to see a credible plan to accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels like coal and gas, accelerate renewable energy and elevate actions that ensure a just transition for people and communities ."
Dr Goldie said Australia can demonstrate its commitment by setting more ambitious targets and supporting people with the least.
"The Australian Government can make a meaningful start by increasing its 2035 emissions reduction target by COP31 to help align with the global goal to limit warming to 1.5 degrees," Dr Goldie said.
Domestically the Government should be substantially increasing investment in home energy upgrades, adaptation and resilience, prioritising First Nations people, and people and communities experiencing disadvantage.
"People experiencing disadvantage are impacted by climate change first, worst and longest. They have fewer resources to cope, adapt and recover from extreme weather events, which are only becoming more frequent and more severe," said Dr Goldie.
"Australia's leadership role in COP31 presents an opportunity to protect those experiencing disadvantage in our community and ensure no one is left behind as a result of climate change impacts and in the transition to a renewable energy future in Australia and globally."
