International Community Urges Turkey and Australia to Settle Dispute Over Hosting Rights for COP31 Conference
Brazil is gearing up to host COP30 in November this year, focusing on assessing countries' updated climate targets for 2035. Meanwhile, the host for the subsequent COP31 summit in 2026 remains undecided, as a stalemate between Turkey and Australia persists.
The two nations submitted bids for the hosting rights in 2022 and have refused to concede to each other. The decision requires unanimous agreement from the 28 members of the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG), but a consensus has yet to be reached. This deadlock is delaying preparations for the event and has even affected the planning of the COP process, involving thousands of delegates from 200 member countries.
Turkey is insistent on hosting the summit in Antalya, emphasizing its strategic Mediterranean location, lower expected carbon emissions from air travel for delegates, and experience hosting major geopolitical events. On the other hand, Australia has proposed co-hosting with Pacific island countries to showcase its green energy transition, gaining some support from European countries.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary, Simon Stiell, has publicly urged the two countries to resolve the deadlock quickly. He has expressed concern over the delay in making a decision, stating that it undermines planning for the event.
Australia's Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen, claims that Australia's bid has the backing of 23 out of 28 WEOG members. However, Turkey has not withdrawn its bid despite pressure and is even intensifying its campaign.
The U.K., a WEOG member, has reiterated its support for Australia in the bid to host COP31. As the delay continues, Stiell calls for a swift resolution to avoid further complications in the COP process.
In other news, Simon Stiell has also called on Australia to set an ambitious 2035 emissions target and accelerate its clean energy transition. This call comes as Australia is preparing to unveil its national climate plan in September. The minister claims that this plan could send a message that "this country is open for clean investment, trade, and long-term partnerships."
Meanwhile, Turkey has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with its commitment to become a net-zero emission economy by 2053. The nation aims to lift its installed capacity in wind and solar energy from more than 33 GW to 120 GW by 2035.
In a significant move, at COP29 in Azerbaijan, a group of nations, including all European Union member states, Canada, Mexico, and Norway, pledged to set climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement's aspirational goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.8 degrees Fahrenheit). Although the U.S. did not join this commitment, the COP process continues to push for ambitious climate action.
Turkey became the last OECD and G-20 country to sign the Paris Agreement on limiting the effects of climate change in October 2021. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the COP process remains a crucial platform for nations to discuss and act upon climate issues. The resolution of the COP31 hosting dispute will be a significant step towards ensuring the success of this process.
- Simon Stiell, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change executive secretary, has encouraged Turkey and Australia to resolve their deadlock over the hosting rights for COP31, stating that the delay is undermining planning for the event.
- Turkey remains persistent in its bid to host COP31 in Antalya, emphasizing its strategic location, lower expected carbon emissions from air travel, and experience hosting geopolitical events.
- Australia proposed co-hosting the summit with Pacific island countries to showcase its green energy transition, gaining some support from European countries, but Turkey has not withdrawn its bid despite pressure.
- Australia's Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen, claims that Australia's bid has the backing of 23 out of 28 WEOG members, while Turkey continues its campaign to host the summit.
- Simon Stiell has also called on Australia to set an ambitious 2035 emissions target and accelerate its clean energy transition as it prepares to unveil its national climate plan in September.
- Turkish officials have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with their commitment to become a net-zero emission economy by 2053. In addition, Turkey aims to lift its installed capacity in wind and solar energy from more than 33 GW to 120 GW by 2035.
