Chris Bowen will have his work cut out for him when he touches down in Baku for COP29 this week - trying to get the world's nations to agree on who will pay for the $1.3 trillion in climate finance - all without having delivered on Australia’s own promises.
This year’s COP has been labelled the “finance COP” - and all eyes are on Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, who is co-chairing the negotiations on a new climate finance goal.
While Minister Bowen has been approaching the talks with the admirable intention of closing a deal, civil society groups are concerned that Australia’s own underperformance on finance provisions will make it harder for him to win the trust of other nations who are being asked to step up and put their money on the table. Clarity around finance is imperative for developing countries to be able to lodge ambitious national climate plans.
“Nearly a year ago at COP28 in Dubai, the Australian government signed onto the Clean Energy Transition Partnership - an agreement to end public support for international fossil fuels. So far we’ve seen nothing that would give us the confidence that this agreement is being properly implemented” said Jubilee Australia Climate Justice Campaigner, James Sherley.
“When he came to power, Prime Minister Albanese vowed to get Australia “out of the naughty corner” on climate negotiations. Whilst his government certainly seems eager for the photo op and the media moment, they seem much less eager to actually deliver on these promises. This is particularly concerning given it’s Chris Bowen’s job to chart a course for better outcomes at this COP.”
When assessing similar commitments made by the government, a trend begins to emerge. In October 2022, many climate and environment advocates welcomed the Australian government’s signing of the Global Methane Pledge to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030.
“Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with heating impacts over eighty times higher than carbon dioxide,” said James, “the IPCC has been clear that for the planet to remain within 1.5 degrees of global warming there must be “deep reductions in emissions of methane”. But when testifying before a Senate hearing last week, government officials confirmed they have not taken on a specific methane target or work program to ensure methane emissions reduction are consistent with the pledge.”
“These are crucial agreements to safeguard our future. But when not delivered properly it’s all fluff, no substance.”