Albanese tells COP31 “real and rapid” climate progress is possible… doesn’t mention fossil fuels

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Australian PM Anthony Albanese insists “real and rapid progress is possible” from COP31 as international climate negotiations get underway.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has insisted “real and rapid progress is possible” from COP31 as international climate negotiations get underway in Turkey.

Albanese flew into the Mediterranean resort town of Antalya on Turkey’s southern coast on Tuesday where he linked action on climate change to a stronger economy during an address to the leaders summit.

“We must ensure we are heading towards a future where our energy is clean, reliable and affordable, and our economies are strong,” he said. “While the Paris Agreement is under pressure, its call to arms can still be heard.”

This marked the start of day two in the Conference of the Parties (COP) process where Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will steer negotiations as COP co-President for Negotiations.

COP kicked off on Monday with a somewhat chaotic start as thousands of attendees were left waiting outside as they struggled to register and make it through security as the official opening ceremony began.

Tens of thousands of people have registered to attend COP31 this year – one count put the provisional number at 92,934.

The sudden influx has put an obvious strain on Antalya’s transport systems, with locals and visitors alike frustrated by road closures, heavy traffic, packed buses, long travel times, confused drivers and infrequent services in the evening.

The Turkish government, however, has gone all-out in its role as host. Once inside, free fruit and chocolate is handed out in the morning upon arrival to those who skipped breakfast to cram into the buses or a tram, and the government has sought out the best chefs to run food stalls. Baklava, at certain times of day, is handed out for free.

Over in the exhibition hall, the arrangement of national pavilions is revealing for what it says about shifting power dynamics. Where Brazil had arranged for the Turkish and Australian pavilions to be next to each other as negotiations over who would host COP31 continued until the eleventh hour…

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