Anthony Albanese faces fierce backlash after dodging fossil fuels in COP31 climate speech

Detailed summary

Anthony Albanese has championed Australia as a climate leader at COP31 but critics say his speech dodged one crucial point.

Anthony Albanese has come under fire for not addressing the impacts of fossil fuels on climate change in a speech at a global climate summit.

The Prime Minister made the address at the COP31 summit, where negotiations between world leaders are being overseen by Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

Mr Albanese said co-hosting the summit was “a historic moment for my country”, and Australia saw its role as co-host at the climate summit to represent those who need urgent climate action.

“(Australia is) proud to be a leader of climate action, proud to be a renewable energy leader creating the clean industries, businesses and jobs of the future, and proud to be here fighting for the interests of our Pacific family,” Mr Albanese told delegates.

“We wanted to speak for the people of the world who need urgent action, including those from our Pacific family. Their brave and resourceful people need us to act, and they’re pleading for us to do so, politely but with absolute clarity.”

Mr Albanese has copped intense criticism for attending the summit given cost of living pressures back home, including five recent interest rate rises.

Mr Bowen has also come under fire after it was revealed Australian taxpayers would fork out $2.2m in hospitality and hotel bills covering his attendance.

In his speech, Mr Albanese pointed to Australia’s renewables energy push in setting a standard in the fight against climate change.

“Australia is playing our part. Our target is ambitious, our progress is strong and our successes are significant,” he said.

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