Albanese defends Australia as climate leader after being pushed on world stage to do more

Detailed summary

Anthony Albanese’s comments came after outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders that “fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs”.

Antalya, Turkey: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted the country is playing its part as a climate action leader as the head of the United Nations pressures Australia and COP hosts Turkey to push a more ambitious agenda on fossil fuels at this year’s climate conference.

Outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday told world leaders that “fossil fuels must go the way of the dinosaurs”.

Guterres’ comments came as COP31 president Turkish Climate Minister Murat Kurum and Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who is presiding over negotiations, called on more than 190 nations to rapidly ramp up electrification rather than focus on fossil fuels, in the hopes of sidestepping a bitter fight at this year’s conference.

Albanese addressed the opening ceremony of the COP leaders summit minutes afterwards, declaring it “an historic moment for my country”.

“Australia is proud to be playing a leading role with Turkey on climate change negotiations for the world at this United Nations Conference of the Parties … and proud to be here fighting for the interests of our Pacific family,” Albanese said on Wednesday (local time).

“COP31 must be where our cooperation delivers practical results. Unlocking investment in clean energy technologies, accelerating electrification, speeding up action for our oceans, and unlocking climate finance for those who need it most.”

But Guterres, who is making his last addresses to a major UN event before the end of his term next month, appeared to signal to Australia and Turkey that it was not enough.

“It is long past time to stop treating the transition away from fossil fuels as taboo or intractable. Now, here at COP31, we must move from discussing the transition to organising it, financing it and delivering it. I thank [Brazil] for its leadership. We must leave Antalya with clear next steps to advance this road map,” he said on Tuesday.

“I encourage the current and future COP presidencies to carry this work forward.

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