COP31: MPs explore Australia-Türkiye partnership and UK priorities
On Monday the Environmental Audit Committee explores the upcoming COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye.
With Türkiye and Australia jointly hosting this year’s summit, MPs will hear from the Turkish Ambassador and Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom about their countries’ priorities for COP31 and the working of their partnership so far.
Some confusion remains about who will ultimately be responsible for final decisions at COP31. Australia’s Environment Minister said in June that concerns over the partnership were misplaced, while his Turkish equivalent said Türkiye would have the final say.
The Committee will also hear from climate change experts and campaigners, as well as the UK’s Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte.
Meeting details
MPs are likely to ask the Special Representative about the UK’s priorities for COP31, the likely impact of the UK failing to meet its contribution to global climate targets as the Climate Change Committee predicts, and how the UK is likely to use other roles such as the G20 presidency to advance climate action.
MPs are also likely to ask witnesses what factors are driving climate diplomacy in 2026, what positions the UK and its partners are taking around fossil fuels, and to what extent competition between the United States and China is shaping climate discussions.