Australia’s Leader of the Opposition has come out against the country’s bid to co-host COP31 in 2026. Peter Dutton spoke to reporters, claiming that hosting the summit would cost Australian taxpayers billions of dollars. “It’s madness. It’s not something we are supporting — it is madness.” However, analysts have dismissed the claims on the cost of hosting COP31, with Melanie Pill from the Lowy Institute using the COPs hosted in Madrid and Glasgow as examples. Pill also added that there are economic benefits to hosting the summit. “Hosting a COP can have many economic benefits to the host country, particularly in the local tourism and hospitality sector where hotels, restaurants and small businesses would benefit directly from the people attending the conference” said Dr. Pill.
Clean Energy Investor Group CEO Richie Merzian also points out that hosting COP31 would mean opportunities in the energy transition for Australia. “Australia can position itself to benefit from building a green economy, powered by renewables, and to showcase it in 2026 at COP31,” he said. “Australia can become a hub for clean energy investment and manufacturing across the region, and stand up with its Pacific neighbours to address their number one security risk,” said Merzan.
