'Moment of truth': Australia faces climate credibility test at COP31

Antalya, 9 November 2026—As Australia takes up the gavel as President of Negotiations at COP31, the Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance is calling on the Australian Government to lead from the front on addressing international climate funding gaps and making coal, oil and gas corporations pay for the climate damage they cause.

Convened after a year of devastating fires, floods and heatwaves that have cost the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars and claimed thousands of lives, and ahead of a predicted monster El Niño summer, COP31 comes at a pivotal moment. The United Nations Environment Program has also warned that adaptation finance continues to fall far short of developing countries’ needs, estimated at around US$305 billion annually. 

The Alliance is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen to ensure that COP31 confronts the injustice of frontline communities bearing the escalating costs of a climate crisis they did little to cause. 

Delivering a fair climate go for vulnerable communities means increasing Australia's climate finance contribution in line with its fair share and introducing a Climate Pollution Levy on major polluters to help fund climate action, adaptation and recovery at home and internationally.

Julie-Anne Richards, Campaign Strategic Lead, Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance (speaking from Antalya), said: “For too long, Australia's actions have failed to match its climate rhetoric, with coal and gas projects continuing to be approved while major polluters are given a free ride, leaving the rest of us to play for their climate damage. COP31 is Australia's moment of truth and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to demonstrate genuine leadership on climate action, accountability and global solidarity.

To lead from the front, Australia must come to COP31 with a strong climate finance pledge and a commitment to a Climate Pollution Levy on coal, oil and gas corporations to help fund climate adaptation and disaster recovery at home and abroad. As President of COP31, Australia should use its influence to rally other wealthy nations to close the climate finance gap and ensure the world's biggest polluters contribute to the costs of the damage they cause.” 

Harjeet Singh, global convenor, Fill the Fund campaign (Speaking from Antalya) said: “The Loss and Damage Fund's recent decision to provide Nepal with US$20 million to respond to catastrophic floods is a historic milestone, but it is just a drop in the ocean of need. Every day, fossil fuel corporations profit from pollution while funds to protect vulnerable communities remain nearly empty. Wealthy polluting nations owe a massive moral debt to those who did nothing to cause this crisis, and that debt grows by the day. From Nepal and Tibet to Tuvalu, communities facing worsening climate disasters need the COP31 negotiations, with Australia at the helm, to deliver steep emissions cuts and climate justice, including making big polluters pay to fill the funds.”

Josie Lee, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Oxfam Australia (speaking from Antalya), said: “Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 was built on elevating the voices of the climate-vulnerable Pacific, and positing itself as a leader on climate change action. As COP31 begins, the world is watching to see if Australia can deliver.

Australia provides over ten times more funding in fossil fuel subsidies than it does to support our regional neighbours to respond to devastating climate change impacts and to move to renewable energy. This must change.

Australia must shift its funding priorities away from the polluting forms of energy and towards securing a safe climate and more equal future for all. It must lead by example by providing their fair share of the agreed global goal on climate finance for developing countries and taking greater action at home.

Ema Vueti, President, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland (speaking from Antalya) said: “Australia’s Pacific diaspora lives with the reality of climate change on both sides of the ocean. We watch our home nations face existential threats from a crisis they did not create, while communities across Australia endure worsening bushfires, floods and heatwaves. Australia has a responsibility to stand with its Pacific neighbours. At COP31, we are calling on the Australian government to deliver climate justice through stronger climate finance commitments and action to make coal, oil and gas corporations pay for the damage they cause.”

Sophie Hardefeldt, Deputy Head of Policy and Campaigns, ActionAid Australia (speaking from Antalya), said: “A critical test of COP31’s success will be whether it delivers for the people bearing the greatest burden of the climate crisis. Across the world, women are often the first and hardest hit when climate disasters strike. As President of COP31 negotiations, Australia has a chance to show real leadership by increasing its climate finance commitments, making big polluters pay, and encouraging other wealthy nations to do the same. By securing adequate climate finance for vulnerable nations and holding coal, oil, and gas corporations accountable, Australia can help ensure women and communities on the frontlines have the resources they need not just to survive climate impacts, but to thrive.” 

Dr Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), speaking from Antalya, said: “Australia cannot claim to stand with the Pacific while continuing to fuel the crisis threatening our survival. COP31 is a test of that commitment. As President of Negotiations, Australia must deliver its fair share of grant-based climate finance, champion a Climate Pollution Levy that makes big polluters pay for the damage they cause, and secure a just and funded transition away from fossil fuels. That leadership must begin at home, with an end to new coal, oil and gas projects. The Pacific has paid enough for a crisis we did little to cause. It is time Australia held the corporations profiting from this destruction accountable, instead of leaving our communities to foot the bill.”

Dr Ruchira Talukdar, Director, Sapna South Asian Climate Solidarity, said: “South Asia is the world’s most climate-vulnerable region, facing escalating heatwaves, floods and droughts that cost lives, livelihoods and billions of dollars every year. Meanwhile, South Asians are Australia’s largest migrant community, contributing to Australia’s economy while supporting loved ones and communities back home through worsening climate disasters. As COP31 President of Negotiations, Australia must step up its support for South Asia. A Climate Pollution Levy on coal, oil and gas corporations would help fund climate action and recovery at home and abroad, enabling Australia to deliver greater climate justice for vulnerable countries and the diaspora communities that contribute so much to both Australia and the region.”

For interviews, contact Vai Shah - +61 452 290 082 or [email protected] (AEDT Time Zone)

Notes to editor: 

• A full list of Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance spokespeople on the ground at COP31 in Antalya, who are available for comment throughout the conference, is appended below.

• Detailed factsheets on the Pacific Resilience facility, the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, and the Adaptation Fund are available here.

• Pacific countries have faced annual costs from climate disasters of AUD $1.3 billion, or 14.3% of their GDP, each year on average for the past decade. 

• In Australia fossil fuel corporations reported $436 billion income in 2023-24 while contributing just 5% in corporate income tax. One in three large fossil fuel companies paid no tax in Australia in 2023–24.

TALENT ALERT: Climate finance and climate justice experts available for interview at COP31 

The following spokespeople from the Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance are attending COP31 in Antalya and are available for interview on climate finance, loss and damage, Pacific climate leadership, and proposals to make major polluters contribute to climate recovery and adaptation through a Climate Pollution Levy. 

Julie-Anne Richards, Campaign Strategic Lead, Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance

Julie-Anne can speak to Australia's leadership role as President of Negotiations, the need for stronger climate finance commitments, and how a Climate Pollution Levy on coal, oil and gas corporations can support climate adaptation, resilience and disaster recovery in Australia, help close the global climate finance gap, and advance the global push to phase out fossil fuels.

Josie Lee, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Oxfam Australia

An expert on climate finance, loss and damage, and polluter pays approaches and levies. Josie can speak to Australia's role as COP31 President, Australia's fair share of international climate finance, and Oxfam's call for Australia to commit $11 billion in climate finance over 2025-2030. She can also speak to loss and damage in the Pacific region and least developed countries.

Ema Vueti, President, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland

Ema can speak to Pacific diaspora expectations of Australia as COP31 President and the experience of watching climate impacts intensify across both Pacific Island nations and Australia. She can discuss Australia's responsibilities to its Pacific neighbours and the importance of climate justice, climate finance and polluter accountability.

Dr Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network 

Dr Sindra Sharma can discuss Pacific priorities at COP31, climate finance, loss and damage, and regional expectations of Australia's presidency. Contact via Dylan Kava, WhatsApp/Signal: +679 906 1989 

Harjeet Singh, Global Convenor, Fill the Fund Campaign

A leading international advocate on climate finance, loss and damage, and climate justice, Harjeet can speak to the growing gap between climate finance needs and available funding; the recent Loss and Damage Fund allocation to Nepal; and why making big polluters pay is essential to ensuring climate funds can meet escalating need.

Sophie Hardefeldt, Deputy Head of Policy and Campaigns, ActionAid Australia

Sophie can speak to the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women, Australia’s climate finance obligations, gender-transformative climate finance, and how Australia must increase its climate finance commitments and take stronger action to make major polluters pay.

Interview opportunities available throughout COP31. Spokespeople are available for Australian and international media.

Media contact:

Amber Ahmad (in Antalya for COP Week 2): +44 07858618261  (Whatsapp)

Vai Shah (based in Sydney / AEDT): 0452 290 082 / [email protected].