Pacific’s eyes turn to China after Labor’s emissions shift

Australia’s upgraded climate change ambition has helped shift the Pacific’s attention on to China’s status as the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitter.

Australia will stand in unity with its “Pacific family” at COP27 to argue for urgent global action to slow climate change. Pictured: a coal-fuelled power station near Datong, in China's northern Shanxi province. Picture: AFP

Australia’s upgraded climate change ambition has helped shift the Pacific’s attention on to China’s status as the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitter, ­Minister for the Pacific Pat Conroy says.

Mr Conroy, who will represent Anthony Albanese at the UN’s COP27 climate talks in Egypt this week, said Australia would stand in unity with its “Pacific family” at the meeting to argue for urgent global action to slow climate change.

While some Pacific nations continue to demand an end to coal mining – a call Australia has rejected – Mr Conroy said there was “a palpable sense of relief” in the ­region at Labor’s recently legislated interim emissions reduction target of 43 per cent by 2030.

He said Australia was no longer seen in the Pacific as a climate ­action “roadblock”, putting the heat instead on Beijing.

“The last government actively blocked action in the Pacific on ­climate change … whereas we’ve got the political capital because we’re seen as being good actors on climate change,” Mr Conroy told The Australian.

“The fact that we’re now taking action has made it harder for China to hide.”

China emits about twice as much carbon dioxide at the world’s next biggest emitter, the US, and is building more than half of the world’s new coal-fired power stations.

But Beijing has argued that as a developing country it should be ­allowed to continue to increase its emissions by 2030.

Mr Conroy will have direct talks with regional leaders during the conference on Australia’s bid to jointly host the 2026 COP talks with Pacific Island countries, ­asking each to identify how they could contribute to the event.  “Australia recognises the ­Pacific’s longstanding leadership on global climate change, and together we will highlight our region’s priorities at COP27,” he said.

“In hosting COP31 (in 2026), Australia and Pacific countries would profile the impact of climate change on the region, accelerate global action and harness the economic opportunities from the clean energy transition.”

Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will arrive in Egypt’s southern city of Sharm el Sheikh for the second week of the conference, when the focus will be on implementing the climate agreement reached last year in Glasgow.

Australia goes to the talks prepared to reinvest in supporting ­developing nations’ climate costs through the UN’s Green Climate Fund, or a new climate insurance trust, depending on which option is most favoured by Pacific Island countries.

Australia last month officially signed up to Joe Biden’s global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent over the decade, and is expected to join a global push to end deforestation by 2030.

The Morrison government ­rejected both proposals at last year’s summit in Glasgow.

Mr Bowen said he was pleased cabinet had agreed to bid to host the 2026 COP.

“It’s an opportunity to work closely with our Pacific family, and we will seek to co-host the bid with the Pacific to help ­elevate the case of the Pacific for more ­climate ­action,” he said.  Ahead of the conference, Foreign Minister Penny Wong ­announced the appointment of Australia’s ambassador for climate change, Kirstin Tilley.

“Australia is acting on climate change at home, and will now be part of the solution in the world,” Senator Wong said.

“Ms Tilley will lead Australia’s international climate engagement, working with partners to ­deliver opportunities for green economy jobs.”