Joint media release: 8th Australia-China Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, hosted China’s Minister for Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, in Sydney for the 8th Australia-China Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change on 29 August 2024.

The Dialogue, last held in 2017, was an important opportunity to build on our long history of climate change cooperation.

The Dialogue delivered on commitments made by Prime Minister Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during their meetings in November 2023 and June 2024 to continue or expand engagement in climate change, energy and environment.

Ministers discussed our respective domestic climate change policies, cooperation in multilateral forums, and future bilateral engagement under the Australia-China Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Cooperation.

Climate change is a global issue and it requires a global response. It is important that we work together, through dialogue and practical cooperation, to address the challenges of climate change and deliver real outcomes.

The Ministers emphasised the importance of working together cooperatively in the lead up to and at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the dialogue was an important opportunity to discuss how to reap the benefits of the global energy transition and strike the right balance on climate cooperation.

“Our government is committed to delivering real outcomes in our national interest, including through climate change dialogue with China,” Minister Bowen said.

“There’s a huge opportunity for Australia to capitalise on the global net zero transformation, creating jobs and industries for our workers and communities.”

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek welcomed the opportunity to reaffirm Australia’s relationship with China and discuss an ambitious agenda for environmental protection.

“I want to commend Minister Huang on his commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss through international leadership on the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. His chairing of the meeting was critical to its success,” Minister Plibersek said.

“Together with international partners, including China, we are taking big steps towards achieving a nature positive planet.”