Labor's failure to secure the COP31 climate summit is because the rest of the world could see it as a half-hearted greenwashing effort, the Greens have said, to distract from the impact of our coal and gas on our Pacific neighbours.
The Greens wanted Australia to host COP31, on the basis that it could be used by other nations to pressure Australia into moving away from coal and gas, not to greenwash our position as one of the world's worst carbon polluters.
Australia is the world's second largest exporter of climate pollution, with over a billion tonnes of annual exported emissions (CO2-e) leaving us behind only Russia. Carbon pollution from Australian coal and gas exports is increasing, and has doubled since 2010.
Labor is prioritising new fossil fuel approvals, not climate action - signing off on 4 new coal and gas projects since the last election, with over 30 projects approved since taking office. Fossil fuel non-proliferation is a key demand of Pacific Island nations.
These exports are pushing up prices domestically, and with approvals to 2070, are incompatible with the world keeping dangerous global warming below 1.5C.
As stated by Greens Leader Sen. Larissa Waters:
"This is an embarrassing outcome, but it was clear from the start that the government didn't really want to host a climate summit," Senator Waters said.
"The Prime Minister never really wanted to host a climate conference if it meant being honest about the future of coal and gas while his mining corporation mates are watching.
"While the Climate Minister was pleading for other countries to look past Labor's growing climate pollution exports, Anthony Albanese spent the week shilling for mining corporations and trying to make them more money with fast-tracked coal and gas approvals.
"If COP came to Australia, it would have been a good opportunity for the world's leaders to grill Labor for their terrible track record on climate action.
"Albanese knew he would be feeling the heat for trashing our climate by approving new coal and gas, our low 2035 targets, and for being Putin's biggest rival in carbon pollution exports.
"The world sees the massive disconnect between Labor's words and actions. Losing this climate conference is the result."
As stated by Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Environment spokesperson:
"As the first person to call for the COP to be in Adelaide I am deeply disappointed the Government has failed to secure the COP. This is a huge missed opportunity for the country and my home state. We are living the harsh reality of the climate crisis with the toxic algal bloom on our doorstep, yet we are leaders in the renewables transition.
"This is a climate failure for the Albanese government. The Government has let South Australians down, let Australia down and let our Pacific neighbours down.
"The federal government clearly hasn't been united in putting everything into this bid. The white-anting from some within the government has delivered what the fossil fuel industry wanted, a failed bid that keeps Australia in the coal and gas lane for longer.
As stated by Greens assistant Climate Spokesperson, Sen. Steph Hodgins-May:
"Labor's continued coal and gas approvals clearly dashed Australia's ability to host a climate summit," Senator Hodgins-May said.
"This is extremely disappointing, but it shows that the world recognises Australia's significant role in making dangerous climate change worse.
"The PM's words about the Pacific ring hollow while he's ignoring the pleas from island nations to stop opening new coal and gas mines."
