Australia’s global climate responsibility begins at home: COP31 as a key ambition this election

With the next federal election less than two weeks away, there is one commitment that all political parties must unite behind: Australia’s bid to host UNFCCC COP31 in partnership with the Pacific. Despite the vitriol over costs associated with hosting this global event by conservative candidates – the chance to signal that Australia is serious about being a true soft power leader in the region is infinitely more valuable than the costs of hosting a COP. 

Hosting the climate COP in 2026 would be more than symbolic—it would be a catalyst for domestic action and regional unity. The Pacific region faces some of the most severe climate threats, and Australia must step up, not only as a neighbour, but as a partner in meaningful action on sustainability. Our cities, towns and regions already play a pivotal role in delivering on climate commitments, with action around resilience, circularity and justice on housing, food systems and low emissions happening across all states in Australia. A home-based COP would allow Australia to demonstrate what multilevel climate action really looks like in practice: from First Nations-led solutions and regenerative agriculture to local government innovation and cross-jurisdictional collaboration such as what transpired at the recent Greater Sydney Town Hall COP.  The world needs to see—and learn from—what’s possible when all levels of government work together.

ICLEI will drive momentum and advocacy at the local level through our Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, the official constituency of cities and regions in the global climate process, and would welcome this drive being matched by federal ambition. A successful COP31 will instil renewed investment in climate diplomacy, strong partnerships with the Pacific, and a commitment to inclusive planning that brings states, territories, cities and communities into the process. This is a chance to restore faith in Australia’s climate credibility, both internationally and at home, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, our Pacific neighbours, and bipartisan climate action that rises above the political point-scoring that frequently dominates Australian election spin.