COP26: Push for more climate aid for poor nations

Scott Morrison will push for more financial support and stronger ­action in supporting developing nations to reduce emissions at the UN climate change conference in Glasgow.

Scott Morrison in question time on Tuesday. Picture: Martin Ollman

Scott Morrison will push for more financial support and stronger ­action in supporting developing nations to reduce emissions at the UN climate change conference in Glasgow and call on G20 leaders to increase security and safety on social media platforms.

The Prime Minister, who travels to Rome on Thursday, will meet with world leaders on the sidelines of both the G20 and COP26 summits but is not expected to hold formal talks with French President Emmanuel Macron following the fallout of the AUKUS submarine deal.

The bulk of Mr Morrison’s bilateral meetings on the seven-day trip are expected to take place in Glasgow, where he will speak with South Pacific leaders attending the COP26 summit amid concerns China is increasing its focus on climate diplomacy in the region.

Mr Morrison will join British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a push to expand the role of developed economies and financiers in the deployment of low-emissions technologies and industries across the globe.

During the Glasgow visit, Mr Morrison will hold a roundtable meeting with Australian business leaders and attend an official COP26 reception hosted by Mr Johnson. Pending health advice, the Queen is expected to join Commonwealth leaders’ at an ­official event next Tuesday.

Mr Johnson this week conceded he was “very worried” the COP26 summit might not secure agreements required to combat climate change.

“It is going to be very, very tough … I am very worried because it might go wrong and we might not get the agreements that we need and it is touch and go … but I think it can be done,” he said.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said last week the government would not sign up to any agreements or targets, including a British push to phase out coal-fired power stations by 2030, that would affect miners, manufacturers and farmers.

Mr Morrison will deliver Australia’s national statement at the COP26 leaders’ summit early next week and co-host a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is expected to heavily focus on direct support for at-risk South Pacific nations. He will promote Australia’s role at the forefront of climate and environmental innovation in a new global energy economy.

At the G20 summit, Mr Morrison will advance his global advocacy on enhancing online security and push for tougher social media rules, ensuring stronger trans­national safeguards and systems are in place to protect children, families and communities.

While the Italian government is yet to release the final list of world leaders attending the G20 summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are not expected to travel to Rome.

The Australian understands Mr Morrison’s bilateral meetings will be focused on world leaders he has been unable to meet in person during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Morrison was not expected to hold formal bilateral talks with AUKUS partners US President Joe Biden and Mr Johnson, with his schedule slanted towards Indo-Pacific and European leaders and multilateral institutions represented at the G20 and COP26 summits.