What is COP31?

COP is the annual United Nations climate conference, where countries from all around the world gather to negotiate how to tackle the climate crisis. Getting most of the world’s leaders in one room to try and solve one of the biggest existential threats humanity has ever faced? Yeah, no big deal.

This year is the 31^st year of COP and it is being held in Antalya, Türkiye.

Previous COP conferences have ranged in success. Some years, we’ve seen great progress, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, which legally bound countries “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” Other years, leaders and negotiators have struggled to land on a clear outcome.

This year, Australia is co-hosting the conference with Türkiye and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is President of negotiations. This means he is responsible for helping countries to reach an agreement on global climate action. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be there too.

Why are ACF attending COP31?

ACF is on the ground in Antalya to hold our leaders to account. Why? You can't claim global climate leadership while approving new coal and gas projects at home.

Federal Labor currently has two critical decisions to make on climate here in Australia. They must stop the blatant ramping up of fracking for gas in the Northern Territory's Beetaloo region, and they must reject Woodside's plans to drill for gas at Scott Reef.

Australia cannot claim to be a global leader on climate and approve these destructive fossil fuel projects.

Alongside Pacific advocates, First Nations voices and climate groups, ACF will push for a fair transition away from coal, oil and gas to renewable energy that's good for nature and people.

Live updates

CEO Adam Bandt, Head of Political Advocacy Gavan McFadzean and Senior Social Media Producer Ari Balle-Bowness are on the ground at COP31, ready to bring you the updates.

We'll unpack the promises, the progress and the fossil fuel spin, and we'll keep asking – is Australia truly delivering climate justice?

Day two:

The message today was loud and clear: Australia must step up on climate action.

Today we saw world leaders who understand what's needed to tackle the climate crisis get up on the stage and call out the countries that have been investing in new fossil fuel production.

Former Secretary from the United States, John Kerry, asked why billions have been spent on opening new coal and gas fields at a time when we're meant to be tackling the climate crisis.

Hot off the heels of an amazing election result, Brazil has set the bar high with its roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels.

And as the world's third-largest fossil fuel exporter, Australia cannot claim leadership while approving new coal and gas projects like Browse, Beetaloo and Hunter Valley Operations. Australia needs its own domestic roadmap to phase out coal and gas exports and ensure Brazil's ambition carries through to COP31.