Adelaide in Prime Position to Host COP31 as Australia Pushes for UN Climate Event

The 2026 conference will be held in November 2026.

An aerial view of of wind turbines in Port Augusta, South Australia on Feb. 25, 2025. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed the COP31 United Nations climate change conference will be in Adelaide if Australia’s joint bid with the Pacific succeeds.

A decision on who will host the global climate conference in November 2026 is expected to be made in June this year, with Turkey the other country in the running.

Cities Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane have all shown interest in holding COP31. However, only South Australia launched a formal bid.

The prime minister was in Adelaide campaigning at Nonna’s Cucina in the suburb of Holden Hill in the electorate of Sturt, which is held by the Liberal Party’s James Stevens by a thin 0.5 percent margin. It is currently the only Adelaide-based federal electorate still held by the Liberal-National Coalition.

Speaking on the COP conference specifically, Albanese talked up the city’s credentials as a potential renewable energy super power.

“We haven’t won the bid, but if the bid is successful, then my choice is we’ll be having it right here in Adelaide,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“This is putting Adelaide on the map as a global city, and one of the things that a climate change conference would do is showcase this beautiful city of Adelaide to the entire world.

An aerial view of the Bungala Solar Farm in Port Augusta, South Australia on Feb. 25, 2025. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

“The fact is that holding a COP, a climate change conference, internationally produces revenue as well. It’s an economic boost for wherever it’s held.”

South Australia has touted its ambitious target of 100 percent renewables by 2027 and the “world’s largest battery” and “world’s largest hydrogen electrolyser” as part of its push.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was “exceptionally proud” that 80 percent of all energy consumed in South Australia is derived from renewables with a plan to reach 100 percent.

“We are on track to be at 100 percent by the end of 2027 in terms of net renewal, which means that this place is better positioned to be able to host COP than anywhere else in the country,” Malinauskas told reporters in Adelaide.

Australia has received support for its bid from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and New Zealand.

COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November, 2024, while COP30 will be held in Belem Brazil in November 2025.

COP26 President Alok Sharma (C) speaks during the U.N. Climate Change Conference COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 13, 2021. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The Race to Net Zero So Far

Federal Labor is pledging to convert the country’s energy grid so its 82 percent backed by renewables by the year 2030, and net zero by 2050.

Labor claim if they are re-elected they will unlock $8 billion of renewable energy development through its Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

“Our plan, which stays the course with an appropriate mix of more renewable energy, backed by storage, gas, household batteries, and transmission, delivers the cheapest, most reliable form of energy and reduces emissions,” said Energy Minister Chris Bowen at the recent energy ministers’ debate.

An aerial view of the Bungala Solar Farm in Port Augusta, South Australia on Feb. 25, 2025. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

In contrast, the federal opposition are still backing net zero by 2050, but have thrown nuclear power into the mix.

At his campaign launch speech on April 13, Dutton said Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen’s “renewables-only” energy policy was unworkable.

“Australians are paying some of the highest power prices in the world under this Government’s renewables-only policy trainwreck—which is causing damage across the economy,” Dutton said at the event in Sydney’s west.

The Coalition has also probed current energy prices.

“Australia now has among the highest electricity prices in the world. Think about that, and then you think about Australia. Where in Australia has the highest electricity prices? It’s South Australia,” said shadow energy spokesperson Ted O'Brien on Facebook.

While state MP Stevens said communities were upset.

“Particularly when I am out door knocking every day, cost of living is coming up but particularly people’s power bills and you know, they are desperate for things to change,” Stevens said.