Australia’s influential role in global climate change and energy security negotiations continues this week, as Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen leads negotiations during the Bonn climate change conference in Germany.
This year’s meeting in Bonn comes amid the world’s worst fuel crisis but also record renewable generation.
The conflict in the Middle East is increasing momentum worldwide to accelerate clean energy and electrification across transport, construction and industrial sectors, so that nations are better shielded from future global energy shocks.
During his visit, he will progress action on energy security, clean energy and climate change. At the meeting, Minister Bowen will hold talks with countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Korea to drive further cooperation on electrification, clean energy investment, modernising grids, fuel security and improving energy storage.
While in Germany, the Minister will also visit Europe’s largest commercial sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production site, INERATEC e-fuels facility, to see how the Albanese Government’s $1.1bn investment in low carbon liquid fuels can help Australia harness the economic and industrial benefits of the energy transition.
At the Bonn climate change conference, Minister Bowen will work with our Pacific counterparts to raise the existential impact of climate change, ahead of Pre-COP in October in Fiji and Tuvalu.
Minister Bowen said Australia’s leadership role in climate negotiations and ongoing participation in international conversations about energy security were more important than ever.
“We are living through the biggest energy shock in history and the world agrees that clean energy and electrification is the future for a more sovereign and secure energy system,” Minister Bowen said.
“Australia is leading – one in three households have rooftop solar and more than 420,000 batteries have been installed in homes, taking advantage of our clean and cheap power sources that can’t be interrupted by conflicts overseas. We want to bring this experience to the world stage.
“Pacific nations are on the frontline of climate change, and their leadership is critical. In Bonn, I’ll also work with Pacific partners to keep their priorities front and centre- to advance global action and help secure our region.
“Collective action has already bent the curve – from 4°C to 2.8°C – Australia will work with global partners to build on this momentum.”
The UN’s mid-year climate meeting in Bonn paves the way for COP31 by advancing negotiations on clean energy, electrification and issues such as access to finance, which are of critical importance to many nations, including those in the Pacific.
