The Prime KAUST chief says youth empowerment essential for addressing climate change challengesMinister of Australia, Anthony Albanese stated on Saturday that his country hopes to host the 2026 Cop summit to repair its reputation of being a climate change laggard.
Albanese said during a visit to Bangkok that “It is a good opportunity, I believe, for Australia to show and to host what is a major global event.”
The public’s outrage over the conservative government of Australia’s ten-year tenure’s pro-fossil fuel position propelled Albanese to power this year.
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Since then, he has proposed a 2050 net-zero emissions target, which, while not very ambitious by global standards, would be a near-revolution for Australia, one of the biggest producers of coal and gas.
Additionally, he has promised to co-host a Cop meeting with Pacific Island friends who have long criticized Australia’s denial of climate change and who face grave threats from rising sea levels.
Media reports suggest that Albanese may have intended to host the event before running for office again in 2025, but diplomatic horse trading has made 2026 seem more likely.
According to reports, Australia’s best chance of hosting the talks is in 2026 because the UAE will host them in 2023, a European nation is hoping to host them in 2024, and Brazil is lobbying to host them in 2025.
Story was adapted from the National News.
