COP31 Backlash: Why Anthony Albanese Avoided Mentioning Fossil Fuels as Australia Chairs Antalya Talks

At COP31 in Antalya, Australia leads the climate negotiations. Yet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered his keynote address without once saying “fossil fuels,” “coal,” or “gas.” Critics link that silence to COP31 Australia fossil fuel expansion at home. The summit runs from November 9 to 20, 2026.

Albanese spoke at the summit in Antalya. His address left out all three words. Pacific voices and Amnesty International Australia criticised the omission. Kyinzom Dhongdue of Amnesty International Australia said the government is trying to “have it both ways” by claiming climate leadership while approving new coal and gas expansion projects (Amnesty International Australia).

The arrangement behind the criticism is unusual. Türkiye is the formal host of COP31. Australia leads the negotiations under a split deal agreed with Türkiye. Australia’s Climate Minister Chris Bowen holds the title of President of Negotiations. That title puts Australia in charge of steering the text that countries will sign (The Guardian).

Australia is still approving new coal and gas projects at home. Those approvals sit beside its role as chair of the talks. Other countries can point to them when they weigh Australia’s draft text, giving negotiators an easy argument (Amnesty International Australia).

COP31 Australia fossil fuel expansion and the Antalya agenda: Belém-Antalya Mechanism, “35 by 35” & AI Grid Demand

The agenda in Antalya covers several linked threads. Each one touches energy choices.

The first is the Belém-Antalya Mechanism for Just Transition. It aims to help workers and communities move away from fossil fuel jobs. It follows the Belém summit and carries that work to Antalya (Amnesty International Australia).

The second is climate finance under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. That article says developed countries should provide money to developing countries. Pacific nations rely on that money for adaptation and clean energy (Amnesty International Australia).

The third is the “35 by 35” electrification target. It puts a number on how much energy use should shift to electricity. Electrification only cuts emissions if the power itself comes from clean sources (Amnesty International Australia).

The fourth is AI. Amnesty International Australia wants to stop AI data centres from driving new gas demand. Data centres draw large amounts of power. If that power comes from gas, new plants lock in new emissions (Amnesty International Australia). Our reporting on AI data centre energy impact explains the load. Our guide to the Australian renewable energy transition shows what clean supply looks like at home.

Australia chairs the negotiations on moving away from fossil fuels. Its prime minister kept those words out of his speech. Both facts are on the record. Together they leave the chair open to the charge that it asks other countries for steps it avoids naming (Amnesty International Australia).

What is the COP31 Australia fossil fuel expansion criticism about?

Critics say Australia chairs COP31 negotiations while approving new coal and gas projects at home. They also point out that Albanese’s keynote did not mention fossil fuels, coal, or gas.

Who hosts COP31?

Türkiye hosts COP31 in Antalya. Australia leads the negotiations under a split arrangement.

When does COP31 take place?

The summit runs from November 9 to 20, 2026.

What is the Belém-Antalya Mechanism?

It is the Just Transition mechanism on the Antalya agenda. It supports workers and communities leaving fossil fuel industries.

The summit now heads toward its final days. Delegates will meet for the closing plenary in Antalya on November 20. That is where the negotiating text gets its final test. Observers will check whether the words missing from the keynote appear in the agreed outcome.