Australia’s ‘advanced’ plan to host COP prompts bidders to pull out

Sharmel-Sheikh:Australia will have to contend with Turkey for the right to host the United Nations climate talks in 2026,after Switzerland pulled out of the race.

Turkey threw its hat in the ring at the COP27 talks in Sharm el-Sheikh,Egypt,this week. Istanbul will play host should it win,the Turkish government said while also announcing it had doubled its carbon emissions’ reduction target to 41 per cent by 2030. The country contributed about 1 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions,or 530 million tonnes,in 2020.

A full moon rises behind the Camlica mosque in Istanbul,Turkey. The city wants to host the 2026 round of climate talks.

A full moon rises behind the Camlica mosque in Istanbul,Turkey. The city wants to host the 2026 round of climate talks.AP

Switzerland withdrew its bid earlier this month citing Australia’s partnership with Pacific nations. Germany has reportedly also opted not to proceed with a bid.

A preliminary study had estimated that hosting the COP would have cost the Swiss government around 300 million Swiss francs,or around $470 million.

A statement published on a Swiss government website confirmed that after considering the costs and benefits,and Australia’s “advanced candidacy”,it had decided against bidding.

“This is mainly because Australia has already announced great interest in organising the conference in cooperation with Pacific island states,” it said.

“These countries are particularly hard hit by the effects of climate change,so a candidacy would have good chances.

“Also,unlike Switzerland,Australia has never organised a COP.”

Christopher Bowen,minister of climate change and energy of Australia,speaks at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh,Egypt.

Christopher Bowen,minister of climate change and energy of Australia,speaks at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh,Egypt.AP

Australian Climate Change and Energy MinisterChris Bowen has been prosecuting the case for Australia to host COP31 in 2026 while at the COP27 talks in Egypt,where he has been telling other nations that “Australia is back” as a proactive participant in the UN climate process.

That message has been welcomed by many delegations,including the US team led by climate envoy John Kerry,who made a point of welcoming Australia and Bowen at the start of a panel discussion it hosted.

Bowen was also asked to co-chair a stream of delicate financial negotiations with India.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a Saturday press conference that he had had “a very positive response” from nations with whom he had raised Australia’s bid.

“Particularly those in this region are very keen to see a COP hosted here in 2026. Next year’s is in the Middle East region,the year after will be in Europe,the year after will be in Central America. And it is a good opportunity,I believe,for Australia,to show and to host what is a major global event.”

Henry Puna,secretary-general of the Pacific Island Forum toldThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age that he was “delighted” by Australia’s role at the conference,saying that the new government was “walking the talk” on climate,but some island nations complained Australia was not supporting their efforts to secure an agreement to establish a fund to pay for loss and damage caused by climate change.

Others have criticised Australia for not supporting an agreement to end public finance of offshore fossil fuel projects,or put an end to new onshore development.

Despite this Australia appears to have broad support from the group of countries it needs to secure the conference in 2026.

Australia is a member of the group known as WEOG,or Western European and Others Group,which will eventually recommend a host.

Despite this Bowen said he was confident that Australia had strong support.

Negotiations over an outcome of the Egyptian talks continued into Saturday morning (AEDT),with negotiators battling to find a compromise over demands that rich nations create a fund to pay for climate damage incurred by the developing world.

The talks which were to have ended on Friday were expected to continue over the weekend.

- with Matthew Knott in Thailand

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Nick O'Malley is National Environment and Climate Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He is also a senior writer and a former US correspondent.

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