Australia's chief negotiator for Cop31, Chris Bowen, intends to engage with oil-producing nations to advocate for a swift transition away from fossil fuels. His role as the world's leading climate negotiator presents a unique chance to persuade countries like Saudi Arabia to abandon their resistance to progress at United Nations conferences, especially in light of calls for a more assertive strategy when addressing major polluters that hinder climate action.
Bowen, who has been designated as the "president of negotiations" for Cop31 following Turkey being awarded hosting rights for the conference, shared with Guardian Australia that a significant part of his mission involves dialogues with nations that do not typically align with Australia's viewpoints.
Saudi Arabia, one of the wealthiest oil nations, has often been criticized for blocking initiatives aimed at accelerating the reduction of fossil fuel usage during UN assemblies. Bowen emphasized the futility of relying solely on those who are already committed to change, stating, "We can’t make progress if we’re just gathering the willing participants."
He stressed the importance of fostering dialogue to bridge the longstanding gaps that have characterized past summits. When asked about how this engagement would materialize, Bowen reiterated the mantra of "engagement, engagement, engagement."
These remarks come on the heels of a plea from former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, urging Australia to take an active role in pressing the world’s largest emitters—including China, Russia, the U.S., and India—to create a clear path towards phasing out fossil fuels.
The recent withdrawal of the Trump administration from a crucial international agreement aimed at combating climate change has significantly limited Bowen's ability to influence U.S. policy within the context of these negotiations. Despite Australia being a major fossil fuel exporter, Bowen argues that this position gives the country a certain level of credibility when it comes to pushing other oil-rich nations to enhance their efforts.
At the conclusion of the Cop30 summit in Brazil, discussions resulted in a deal that notably avoided directly addressing fossil fuels due to pushback from Saudi Arabia and its partners. Nevertheless, over 80 nations, Australia included, signed the "Belém declaration," which commits them to striving for an equitable and just phase-out of fossil fuels.
Bowen aims for Cop31 to yield a tangible advancement compared to the outcomes of the 2023 summit in Dubai, where nations agreed for the first time to initiate the phase-out of fossil fuels. As part of the agreement made with Turkey, a pre-conference event is set to take place in the Pacific, specifically designed to highlight the plight of small island nations that face existential threats due to climate change.
Although Bowen expressed disappointment about not securing full hosting rights after a lengthy bidding process, he views Cop31 as a significant opportunity for Australia. He has invited the Pacific Islands Forum to select a venue for the event, which will partly serve to motivate countries to contribute to the region's climate resilience fund.
In a recent interview outlining his objectives for 2026, Bowen discussed how he plans to balance his international responsibilities with overseeing the domestic transition to renewable energy. He acknowledged that while progress has been made in reducing pollution—characterizing it as "good, a lot done, but a lot more to do"—the government’s latest assessments indicate a strong trajectory toward achieving its 2030 goals. However, substantial policy enhancements will be necessary to meet its new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62% to 70% from 2005 levels by 2035.
Upcoming evaluations of the safeguard mechanism, which aims to curtail emissions from major industrial sites, along with the national vehicle efficiency standard aimed at promoting electric vehicle adoption, present early chances for acceleration.
Last month, the Productivity Commission recommended extending the safeguard mechanism to include additional polluters, building upon the modifications made by the Labor government in 2023. This scheme currently applies to facilities that emit over 100,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, affecting 219 locations.
While Bowen refrained from preempting the review—which is a mandated requirement—he cautioned against the assumption that merely expanding the scope to involve more businesses would yield significant reductions in emissions. He noted, "When assessing the threshold, we must strike a balance. It’s crucial not to broaden it excessively to the point where we include numerous new companies without a meaningful impact on emissions."
He concluded, "It’s not a straightforward decision to expand coverage to many more enterprises as the obvious solution."
This complex interplay of diplomacy, domestic policy, and international climate obligations raises critical questions: Can Australia successfully persuade major petrostates to join the fight against climate change? What strategies should be prioritized to ensure effective engagement with nations resistant to change? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments.
