Australia Pushes to Host COP31 as Turkey Contest Tightens

Australia’s Energy Minister Chris Bowen will travel to the Brazil climate summit to promote Australia’s bid to host COP31. Australia and Turkey both submitted bids in 2022 and remain in a standoff, with neither side stepping back.

Bowen said Australia will use the Brazil summit to underline its clean-energy plans and raise the concerns of Pacific island nations facing sea-level threats. The Pacific Islands Forum has already endorsed Australia’s proposal.

Australia is working to expand its clean-energy sector and shift its economy toward renewables, with an emphasis on critical minerals, green steel and battery technology. Turkey, meanwhile, is highlighting its focus on stronger climate-finance support for developing countries and its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2053.

• Australia intensifies push to host COP31 as Turkey rivalry grows
• Pacific Islands back Australia’s COP31 bid amid clean-energy focus
• Deadlock with Turkey could send COP31 to Germany by default

The host country for COP31 must be chosen unanimously by all 28 members involved in the decision. If Australia and Turkey remain deadlocked, the summit could default to Bonn, Germany.

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Australia sees hosting COP31 as an opportunity to strengthen its regional ties, support energy-transition plans and reinforce its position in global climate discussions.