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Australia is set to bid for the opportunity to host the COP29 climate conference, despite its lack of climate action recently
Australia’s opposition Labor Party has said it will offer to host the 2024 COP29 climate conference if it wins the next federal election.
They say it will be in partnership with the nations of the Pacific and the Soloman Islands’if they want.
Australia has never hosted a UN climate conference, but it could put them on the world stage as a leader in action on climate change.
However, Australia has been branded a laggard in its action on climate change and may not be equipped to host such a major event.
“This is a real shift in Australia’s policy… For 30 years in the history of UN climate negotiations, Australia has not held a meeting… In Instead, she usually avoids them”
richie merzian, the australian institute
Difficult relations between Australia and the Solomon Islands will make the deal even more uncertain.
A recent security pact between China and the Solomon Islands has been finalized, which means that China will build a military base a few kilometers from Australia’s borders.
Australia recently criticized the Solomon Islands for its friendly ties with China and how this will negatively impact Australia’s national security.
Now the bigger question is whether the Pacific and the Solomon Islands even want to partner with Australia at COP29?
“This is a real opportunity for Australia to step up its diplomacy, show leadership on the world stage and hopefully shake up its reputation as a laggard on climate action.”
richie merzian, the australian institute
deadly heat wave
Climate change has cropped up more frequently in recent years, including wildfires, devastating floods and extreme weather events.
It comes as millions of people in India and Pakistan experience a brutal heatwave that has claimed hundreds of lives.
High temperatures have surfaced over the past two months as the government is unprepared to deal with them.
The heatwave causes widespread water shortages, heat strokes and power outages.
The region hit its highest April temperatures in 122 years.
“Global warming means more extreme heat waves and longer heat waves…It’s a sign of things to come.”
richie merzian, australian institute