Australia has signed onto a global plan to eventually phase out fossil fuels and recommitted to the Paris climate accord in defiance of US President Donald Trump.
While the final agreement inked at the United Nations climate summit in Brazil did not mention the polluting fuels driving global warming, Australia joined a separate statement at the last minute, committing to the transition away from fossil fuels.
The federal government joined more than 80 other countries to sign up to the Belém Declaration, which calls for a roadmap to end the world’s use of fuels like coal and gas.
Greenpeace Chief Executive David Ritter, who attended the conference in the city of Belém, said the deal presented a “great new hope”.
“In signing the Belém Declaration, a critical mass of nations have acknowledged that the legally binding international commitment to limit warming to 1.5C means no new fossil fuels,” he said in a statement.
At the end of the COP30 conference, more details were revealed about how Australia would jointly host next year’s COP31 with Turkey.
After a months-long diplomatic stalemate, Australia last week ceded hosting rights to the Turkish resort town of Antalya, but Energy Minister Chris Bowen will serve as the president of negotiations.
A memo reveals Mr Bowen will be responsible with organising consultations and meetings over the next year and producing draft agreements in the lead-up to the fortnight-long summit.
In a joint statement, the prime minister, foreign minister and energy minister said Mr Bowen would have “exclusive authority” over the negotiations.
Australia’s opposition has criticised Mr Bowen’s joint roles as energy minister and president of negotiations but Trade Minister Don Farrell said he was the “perfect candidate” for the COP position.
“Having Chris at the helm of the international consideration of how we get to net zero is a good thing for Australia,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
The federal opposition – which has shifted its policy away from supporting renewables and is campaigning on cheaper energy – has lashed the appointment, claiming it makes Mr Bowen a part-time minister.
“He wants to be on the international circuit, he wants to be hobnobbing and negotiating at climate conferences,” Senator James Paterson told Sky News.
“If that’s Chris Bowen’s priority, then let’s get a real energy minister who’s actually focused on Australians and getting energy prices down.”
As world leaders meet in South Africa for the G20 summit, Anthony Albanese also signed a declaration recommitting Australia to the Paris climate agreement, which includes a pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
US President Donald Trump has walked away from the landmark accord, and a senior White House official described the G20 declaration as “shameful”, according to Reuters.
Mr Trump boycotted the gathering over debunked claims about the persecution of white South African farmers.
Attendees also agreed wealthy countries will need to do more to help developing nations transition away from fossil fuels, and backed a push to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity.
Mr Albanese said it was a good thing the conference had landed on a final statement.
“There is overwhelming support for action on climate change,” he told reporters in Johannesburg.
“People are very conscious of the fact that the increase in extreme weather events, the impact of climate change, is here right now.”
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