COP31 must show multilateralism works amid global 'polycrisis': Australian Minister Bowen

Describing the current international environment as a “polycrisis” marked by wars, energy insecurity and mounting cost-of-living pressures, Australian Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said COP31 must demonstrate that multilateralism and global climate cooperation can still deliver results. Speaking to Anadolu in response to a question at a COP31 news conference in Antalya on Saturday, Bowen said a successful outcome should send a clear message to businesses that governments remain committed to supporting renewable energy and encourage continued investment in the sector.

“A successful COP31 is one which provides a real message to the world that, one, multilateralism is working. Two, to boardrooms around the world that they should keep investing in renewable energy because governments around the world will back them,” he said. He stressed that governments must also demonstrate that they remain committed to efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, in line with the Paris Agreement. “So it's a message to boardrooms to invest and to livingrooms that there's hope,” Bowen said.

He pointed to the simultaneous pressures of wars, the climate crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, energy insecurity and the growing energy demands of data centers, saying these challenges were affecting communities and countries and adding to economic pressures. He also warned that the climate crisis was worsening amid the threat of a super El Nino, underlining the need for continued international cooperation. Despite the challenging global environment, Bowen said the work undertaken through previous climate negotiations in Paris, Glasgow and Dubai should continue and be strengthened at COP31.

“We're working very, very hard to bring parties with us to ensure that what we say we will do, we will do,” he said, emphasizing the importance of transparency and consultation throughout the negotiating process. Negotiations focus on just transition, climate finance Bowen said discussions were progressing on several key negotiating issues, including the proposed Just Transition Mechanism, the Mitigation Work Programme, the Climate Finance Work Programme and Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, which concerns aligning financial flows with low-emission and climate-resilient development.

He said some issues would require further technical discussions, while others would need political-level agreements during the second week of the summit. On the proposed Just Transition Mechanism, Bowen described discussions as constructive, with parties showing strong interest in an ambitious and practical outcome. A comprehensive draft text released during the first week outlines a possible mechanism with political and implementation components.

The proposed implementation structure could include a matchmaking service to help countries access support, expertise and finance, a knowledge-sharing platform and arrangements to improve coordination among existing initiatives and organizations. Electrification and fossil fuels remain contentious Addressing discussions on electrification, Bowen said there was significant momentum around the issue, with the presidency seeking to reflect countries' ambitions in a way that could secure consensus.

He pointed to China's announcement that it would target 35% electrification by 2030 as an example of this momentum. On transitioning away from fossil fuels, Bowen declined to prejudge the negotiations, saying further discussions were needed. He pointed to Australia's own renewable energy progress, saying the country had increased the share of renewable energy from 33% in 2022 to 50%, with a target of 82% by 2030. Climate finance access for vulnerable countries Bowen also highlighted the difficulties small island developing states face in accessing international climate finance, particularly for adaptation.

He said only 0.2% of global climate finance currently goes to small island developing states for adaptation. “What we're doing at the moment isn't working to get access to those countries that need it the most. The countries that need it the most are going to get the least,” he said. He pointed to a newly announced working group involving Australia, the UK and other partners, which aims to work with multilateral development banks to identify practical solutions to improve access to funding.

Bowen said the Green Climate Fund had already expressed willingness to engage with the initiative, adding that complicated application procedures often prevent vulnerable countries with limited administrative capacity from accessing support.