Global momentum for a fossil fuel phase out puts Australia on notice for COP31
Nellie Stevenson CANA
BELÉM Saturday 22 November 2025 – Australia can prove it is serious as the incoming lead of COP31 negotiations by engaging with Brazil’s new fossil fuel phase out roadmap and leading wealthy fossil fuel producers to phase out coal, oil and gas first, according to Australia’s network of not-for-profit climate groups.
“Despite the lack of a formal COP30 outcome on fossil fuels, huge momentum was built for a fossil fuel phase out roadmap in Belém,” said Denise Cauchi, CEO of Climate Action Network Australia (CANA).
“Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen now has his priorities clearly set out for him in the lead up to COP31: deal with the cause of dangerous overheating at the source – coal, oil and gas – and deliver climate finance to enable transition and adaptation for all.”
“The adoption of the Just Transition mechanism at COP30 is a powerful outcome from Belém. For too long, workers and communities have managed the transition away from fossil fuels with no formal support or plan. The new Just Transition package will unlock the resources they need to build thriving new economies and community-led adaptation and resilience.”
“We are deeply frustrated that Australia has been notably missing in action from much of the substance of COP30 negotiations, instead being locked in meeting rooms with Türkiye over fine print for Türkiye’s hosting of COP31.”
“CANA welcomes the wins that will have profound positive impacts, such as the inclusion of First Nations rights in the Just Transition text, as well as the inclusion of Free Prior and Informed Consent.”
“But make no mistake. The Albanese Government has materially let down so many climate-impacted communities and indeed, entire nations in the Pacific by failing to turn up when it really mattered to secure an Australia-Pacific COP31.”
“The Australian government must now show strong leadership in working with other countries, and in solidarity with the Pacific who have relentlessly championed the Paris Agreement, which saw the world come together to agree to keep our Earth at a temperature that supports life as we know it.
CANA is the climate advocacy network in Australia with 175 member groups. For over two decades, CANA has facilitated the Australian climate movement’s participation in COPs with our global partner, Climate Action Network International, the UNFCCC mandated co-convenor of environmental civil society at UN climate talks.
CANA MEMBERS COP30 OUTCOME REACTION QUOTES
Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Director & Co-Founder, Common Threads Indigenous Peoples Organisation, (in Belém) said: “As First Nations people, we are the answer to the climate crisis. Affirming the rights of Indigenous Peoples to care for our lands and waters, as we have done sustainably for millennia, is critical for climate mitigation and adaptation, for everybody. The unrelenting advocacy of Indigenous Peoples has ensured that our rights to Free, Prior, Informed Consent and to self-determine our futures are now foregrounded in global commitments to a just transition. We deserve to share in the benefits of the transition to clean energy and for our community-led solutions to be funded properly.”
Jason Field, Walbunja and Bidjigal man and COP Policy and Advocacy Lead, Climate Action Network Australia, (in Belém) said: “The UAE Just Transition Work Programme represents one of the most significant developments for Indigenous peoples globally since the adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. It provides meaningful recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples and appropriately reflects the value that Indigenous people can add to the domestic and global efforts to combat climate change in a just and equitable manner.
“While the Global Mutirao only references Indigenous peoples in the preambular text, its operative text provides significant opportunities for Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) peoples to advance the recognition of our rights and respond to the vulnerabilities to climate change that we face. This instrument provides a significant opportunity for First Peoples in Australia to hold governments to account and ensure we have a seat at the big table when it comes to setting domestic policy and programs for delivering climate justice.
“All in all, the combined outcomes of COP30 represents for Indigenous peoples the Southern Cross, which for my people’s ancestors was the constellation we used to navigate our way through country. While the clouds of multilateral cooperation and domestic implementation may at times impair our view, we now have a guiding light that can assist us on our path to climate justice.“
Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) Program Director of Climate and Energy, Kellie Caught (in Belém)said, “The outcomes of the COP30 Just Transition Work Program are historic in recognising the human, Indigenous and labour rights, societal protection, and people-centred responses required in ensuring a just transition to the climate crisis.
“The proposal to establish a Just Transition Mechanism to support just transition implementation across countries, was hard fought and critical to ensure all countries can implement a just, equitable and inclusive transition for all.
“ACOSS looks forward to working with the Australian government on developing just transition pathways to deliver for people and communities in Australia.
“A just transition must also include closing the ambition gap, a fossil fuel phase out and adequate finance for developing countries, these must be a priority going forward.”
Josie Lee, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Oxfam Australia (in Australia) said: “While we made some incremental progress, the main obstacle to meaningful action at this and every other global climate summit is developed countries like Australia failing to meet our obligation to provide adequate climate funding to low-income countries.
“Australia and other developed countries have grown wealthy in large part from using polluting fossil fuels for energy. We now know that this has had global consequences and we have the responsibility to not only phase out climate pollution at home, but to financially support low-income countries to respond. Next year we must deliver new and scaled-up funding to low-income countries or risk making the climate crisis worse.