Anthony Albanese feels the pressure to end fossil fuel projects

rime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing the tough questions on climate change as pacific nations push back on Australia coal and gas projects. But he has secured at least one ally.

Pacific Island leaders have made a bid to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to curb fossil fuel projects amid a growing rebellion in the region calling on Australia to end more coal and gas projects.

The pushback has been seized by the Greens to attack the PM domestically as he jets off overseas.

In his first bilateral meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr Albanese met with Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Natano said the issue of fossil fuel projects was “an issue that we are working with Australia (on) to get them to assist because fossil fuel is the main contributor to global warming,” he said.

In the lead-up to Mr Albanese’s arrival, former Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoago said the Pacific Nations should not “rubber stamp” Australia’s bid to host the next UN Climate conference — a key election pledge — until fossil fuel projects are stopped.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives in Rarotonga.

But on Tuesday, Mr Natano said he felt Mr Albanese had a sense of “urgency” in his response to climate change and he would support his bid to co-host COP.

In the meeting, Mr Albanese acknowledged that Tuvalu was on the “frontline of climate change”.

“It’s (climate change) impact is felt most acutely in island states. My government was elected with a platform on acting on climate change. I look forward to working with you in the interest of both our respective nations but also in the interest of the globe.“

Mr Natano said it was his duty as the leader of a nation that could go underwater to do everything he can to prevent climate change.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity. We have had a lot of time in this beautiful country. I look forward to our discussion.”

Pacific Elders’ Voice, a group of former leaders across the region, are calling for pacific island nations to delay their support of Australia’s pursuit of a 2026 UN climate conference until the government “stops approving Pacific-killing coal and gas projects”.

It’s understood Mr Albanese affirmed Australia’s support for Tuvalu’s Long-Term Adaption Plan and commitment to help Tuvalu adapt in practical ways to sea level rises.

The pair also discussed their priorities for the PIF Leaders’ meeting including regional cooperation and the importance of unity among the Pacific Island nations.

Mr Albanese also met with Kiribati president Taneti Maamau, vowing to support the nation’s “acquisition of a second patrol boat, because we understand that our region’s security is something that we need to look after in the Pacific family.”

Kiribati has switched its diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China to 2019.

In addition to spruiking the benefits of the controversial Pacific Labor Mobility Programme, Mr Albanese used his second meeting to again double down on his commitment to climate change support.

The PM rounded off his first day at the forum with a meeting with Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown — wooing him with a South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey to thank him for hosting the forum.

Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Greens leader Adam Bandt said Australia was walking “into a big climate fight”.

“The Greens support calls from the Pacific for Labor to stop subsidising coal and gas and to stop opening new coal and gas mines,” Mr Bandt said.

“Leaders, former leaders and Pacific civil society organisations are making clear that Labor shouldn’t host the global climate summit until it stops pushing for more coal and gas.”

Mr Bandt accused Mr Albanese of walking in with coal in each pocket.

“Albanese risks becoming a Pacific pariah like Scott Morrison if he keeps backing more coal and gas.”

In opposition, Energy Minister Chris Bowen promised Australia will bid for the next COP to be co-hosted with the pacific if it wins government.

“Seeking to host COP with those Pacific partners who wish to co-host it with us will be an excellent opportunity to remind the world about the issues at stake and enable our Pacific brothers and sisters to make their case to the world in a most direct way,” he said at the time.