Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended Australia’s climate record after activist Greta Thunberg criticised the country’s progress on reducing emissions, saying even a snail would agree it needed to move faster.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye, Albanese said Australia was “making substantial progress” on climate action.
Meanwhile, Climate Minister Chris Bowen said the world was facing a “polycrisis“, as countries negotiate their response to climate change.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is COP?
COP31 brings together representatives from the 198 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the international treaty that provides the basis for global climate negotiations.
The annual conference is the main forum for countries to negotiate how they will respond to climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming.
The first COP was held in Germany in 1995, with the conferences growing significantly in size over the past three decades.
One of COP’s biggest achievements was the 2015 Paris Agreement, which commits countries to setting emissions targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The U.S. withdrew in 2020 under Donald Trump, rejoined in 2021 under Joe Biden and withdrew again in January 2026 under Trump.
Before the agreement, the world was on track for 4°C of warming by 2100.
Current projections are closer to 2.6°C if countries meet their existing pledges.
Australia
Australia initially bid to host COP31 in Adelaide, but withdrew after failing to reach an agreement with rival bidder Türkiye.
Under a compromise, Türkiye hosted the conference in Antalya, while Australia was given responsibility for leading negotiations, withy Bowen appointed President of Negotiations.
Australia also partnered with Pacific nations to hold a pre-COP summit in Fiji in October, highlighting the region’s exposure to climate change.
In his address on Thursday, Bowen warned the world was facing a “polycrisis”, pointing to rising living costs, energy insecurity, conflict, artificial intelligence and climate change.
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Contribute“Climate change is no longer a forecast, no longer a prediction... It is here and its devastating impacts are here with it,” he said.
He also promoted the 35 by 35 pledge, which aims to increase electricity’s share of global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, calling it a “practical path” to keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach.
Criticism
Australian First Nations advocate Rikki Dank criticised the Government’s climate approach at a COP31 news conference, where Thunberg was also speaking.
Asked if she agreed, Thunberg replied: “Even a snail would agree.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor criticised the conference spending, saying Albanese should focus on lowering electricity prices.
He also called the reported $32,000 cost of a coffee cart at the Government’s Australia Pavilion “utter nonsense”.
Response
Albanese said Thunberg was “entitled to her views,” defending the Government’s “practical plans” to significantly reduce emissions.
Responding to Taylor’s criticism, Bowen said Australia was taking a more influential role at COP31 by helping steer negotiations.
He also pointed out that Taylor established the Australia Pavilion at COP26 in 2021, including the decision to offer free coffee, which Bowen called “the right call”.
What’s next?
COP31 runs until 20 November, with negotiations continuing over the next week.
Albanese has flagged the Pacific Resilience Facility as a priority, urging countries and investors to commit funding.
The Pacific-led initiative will fund disaster preparedness and recovery projects across the region.
Albanese urged governments, financial institutions and other organisations to “back this Pacific-owned and Pacific-led solution”.
