Letter/Communication
Letter to the Prime Minister of Australia: Climate Leadership Begins at Home
2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60867/00000189
Abstract
In this letter, academic experts from diverse disciplines at Australian universities and research institutes, address Prime Minister Albanese and his Government ahead of COP31 (9–20 November 2026, Antalya, Türkiye). The letter identifies a paradox at the heart of Australia’s climate leadership: as President of Negotiations, Australia has pledged to represent its Pacific family on the world stage while advancing new and expanded coal and gas projects at home, with no plan to phase out production. This contradiction comes amid a convergence of events, including a glacier collapse on the Nepal–Tibet border that killed more than 1,400 people and UNEP’s announcement that exceeding 1.5°C of warming is now unavoidable, making it more urgent to limit the magnitude and duration of overshoot. Arguing that Australia cannot credibly lead abroad, or ensure national and regional security, while expanding fossil fuels at home, the signatories call for three steps before, at and after COP31. First, end approvals for new or expanded coal, oil and gas projects, including the Hunter Valley Operations Continuation Project and Beetaloo expansion. Second, legislate a binding phase-out timetable, consistent with modelling showing coal can leave the electricity system by 2034, paired with a just transition for workers and communities funded by ending fossil fuel subsidies. Third, use the Presidency boldly, as the Taku Pakasoa Declaration urges, to secure a time-bound roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels, a loss and damage outcome commensurate with need, and adaptation finance that reaches frontline communities directly. The letter was open for signatures from 20 October to 1 November 2026 and emailed to the Prime Minister on 2 November, one week before COP31. Copies were sent to federal ministers, state Premiers and territory Chief Ministers.
Details
- Title
- Letter to the Prime Minister of Australia: Climate Leadership Begins at Home
- Authors/Creators
- Sascha Fuller - Murdoch University, School of Humanities, Arts and Social SciencesAnne Poelina - Notre Dame UniversityViliamu Iese - School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of MelbourneMartin Brueckner - Murdoch University, Indo-Pacific Research CentrePia Treichel - RMIT Pacific Initiative, RMIT UniversityKylie Wrigley - Murdoch University, School of Humanities, Arts and Social SciencesJacqueline Peel - Centre for People, Place and Planet, Edith Cowan UniversityBill Hare - Murdoch University
- Identifiers
- 991005932917707891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Water, Energy and Waste; School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Indo-Pacific Research Centre; Vice Chancellery
- Resource Type
- Letter/Communication
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