At the Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan, Australia’s Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Speaking on the conference floor, Bowen emphasized that the Paris Agreement has “worked,” pulling the world back from the brink of catastrophic 4°C global warming.
However, he urged countries to set the most ambitious emissions targets for 2035 to prevent further damage from climate change.
Bowen also pledged A$50 million (US$32.5 million) towards the global loss and damage fund to support the world’s most vulnerable populations in recovering from climate impacts.
His announcement is in line with Australia’s ongoing efforts to accelerate its transformation into a key player in the global net-zero economy, focusing on clean energy investments through initiatives like the A$20 billion “Future Made in Australia” policy.
The comments on future emissions reductions sparked expectations that Australia would announce more ambitious targets in the coming year.
Australia pledges A$50 million to the loss and damage fund, aiding climate-impacted communities.Initial recommendations indicated the country could reduce emissions by 75% by 2035, although the final target is still pending due to delays.
Bowen’s statement at Cop29 underscored the urgency of climate action, reflecting on the global stocktake at Cop28 that showed progress but also highlighted the risks of a future with temperatures rising between 2°C and 3°C above pre-industrial levels.
Such warming would result in extreme weather events, posing a serious threat to both ecosystems and human societies.
Australia’s support for climate finance was also a key focus.
Bowen confirmed that Australia would provide A$3 billion (US$1.95 billion) in climate finance to assist developing nations with emission reductions and adaptation measures.
Despite this contribution, advocacy groups have criticized the amount as insufficient and called for a more significant and structured global climate finance goal to address the needs of developing nations.
As the world’s attention shifts to the 2030 climate funding target, Australia’s actions at Cop29 highlight both the strides made and the critical gaps that remain in the global fight against climate change.
Bowen’s calls for more ambitious commitments signal a critical moment in the ongoing effort to protect the planet for future generations.