Press conference, Smithfield, Sydney, NSW

MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY, CHRIS BOWEN: Well, thanks for coming everyone. I wanted to make a few remarks in the lead up to COP 27, which starts in Egypt in the coming days and also make a couple of announcements in that regard.

This is an opportunity, of course for Australia to remind the world that we're back. We're back at the International table. Unlike recent COPs, where Australia was seen as part of the group which actually was working to stop progress, to get in the way of the progress, Australia will be a willing and active participant in these discussions.

This is a COP of course, which is focused on implementation plus, about getting on with the job of holding the world as close as possible to 1.5 degrees of warming. That's what Australia is doing. They've already notified the UNFCCC of our new nationally determined contribution. And of course, we have recently announced we have signed the methane pledge.

And of course, there'll be more international discussions at Sharm el Sheikh. In addition, I've been talking to our international counterparts, my counterparts about how we can best interact, how we can best help the world in these discussions and I’m looking forward to being a very active participant in those discussions.

In that regard, I'm pleased to join with Penny Wong to announce the appointment of Kristin Tilley as Australia's new climate change ambassador. It was election commitment to recreate the position of Climate Change Ambassador which had been abolished by the previous government. Kristin Tilley joins the role from years of experience in the Australian Public Service, years of experience in climate policy. I'm looking forward to working very closely with her to pursue Australia's role as a global energy superpower and as a very constructive participant in international conversations.

Also, I'm pleased to confirm that the Cabinet has agreed with me to bid to host COP31 in 2026. Australia wants to be a renewable energy powerhouse and a Conference of the Parties as well as being an important discussion is also the world's biggest trade fair, this is an opportunity, will be an opportunity if we win the bid to show Australia's capacity to help the world as a renewable energy powerhouse. Its an opportunity to work closely with our Pacific family, and we will seek to co-host the bid with the Pacific to help elevate the case of the Pacific for more climate action.

Now we did consider bidding for COP 29 in 2024. This is Eastern Europe next year. Given the geopolitical situation, we considered whether it wouldn't be a good idea for Australia to bid to host that, given the geopolitical situation and given that is only a few years away. And given we want to spend many years to prepare and provide the best COP possible, we have decided to bid for COP 31, which is in our grouping, the Western Europe and others grouping. It's the right year for us to be. I'm looking forward to talking to international colleagues about Australia's bit, about what we can bring to the table as a host of the world's biggest trade fair, as a host of COP in 2026.

So this COP, like all COPs, it's an important opportunity to talk about what Australia brings to the table. It's an important opportunity to help the rest of the world. To take the next step forward. I'm very much looking forward to leading the delegation, particularly the second week. I can confirm Minister Pat Conroy, the Minister for the Pacific and International Development will be representing Australia in the early stages of the COP. I'll join after Parliament rises, I'll be joined by Jenny McAllister. And of course, I know that there'll be many Australians from business and from non-government organizations there as well.

I look forward I'm very honoured to leading that delegation. Thank you very much.