COP31: Why the ‘Climate Olympics’ in Australia really matters, and what philanthropy can do
COP31, short for the United Nations’ 31st Conference of the Parties, is a pivotal global climate summit and it may be heading our way. Often referred to as the ‘Climate Olympics’, these annual conferences bring nations together to assess progress in addressing the climate crisis, negotiate agreements and set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Scheduled for November 2026, COP31 is particularly significant as Australia has bid* to co-host the event in partnership with Pacific Island nations. COPs are the only multilateral, international forums dedicated to agreeing a global response to the climate crisis.
Why COP31 matters
Hosting COP31 would allow the Australia-Pacific to communicate the unique climate challenges and solutions from our region, and catalyse significant progress towards local and global climate goals, including limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The summit will bring global attention to the climate challenges faced by the Pacific and First Nations communities, providing a platform to advocate for urgent action and community-led solutions, and shift the trajectory of Australia’s performance and transition towards becoming a renewable energy superpower. COP31 presents an opportunity to:
- Influence global and domestic policies and initiatives by supporting advocacy efforts to shape ambitious outcomes.
- Foster collaboration through networking and partnerships between civil society, governments, NGOs and the private sector, creating opportunities for collaborative projects.
- Drive innovative projects that deliver climate solutions, counter climate blockers and address climate challenges in new and effective ways.
- Enhance the visibility of the needs and challenges of the Australia-Pacific region in relation to climate change and promote solutions which reflect these needs.
- Highlight the incongruence of the Australian Government’s policy of calling for climate action whilst continuing to expand our fossil fuel industry.
Risk and Opportunity
COP31 hosted in Australia is both a mammoth opportunity AND a significant risk. It’s our opportunity of the decade to put pressure on the Australian Government to deliver ambitious outcomes in the lead up, during and after COP31. However, as a major fossil fuel exporter, an Australian COP could be captured by fossil fuel interests.
Philanthropy will play a crucial role in determining whether COP31 in Australia is a turning point for our national, regional and global contribution to climate action, or simply an exercise in greenwashing and delay.
Leveraging the opportunities for philanthropy
Philanthropy is presented with an extraordinary opportunity to enable regional coordination, amplify Pacific and First Nations voices and dramatically shift the trajectory of Australia’s domestic and exported emissions. Hosting COP31 in partnership with the Pacific will be an important milestone.
Some of the transformative ways that Australian funders can ensure COP31 is the opportunity our people and planet need include:
- Amplifying the voices of Pacific and First Nations communities, ensuring their perspectives and needs are central to the outcomes of COP.
- Inspiring international funders to fund into Australia, turbocharging civil society organisations and their impact.
- Funding capacity-building and training programs to empower local leaders and organisations to build civil society capacity in the lead up to COP31.
- Supporting advocacy and campaigns that raise awareness about our regional climate challenges and blockers, and the opportunities for stronger regional climate action.
- Encouraging those funders who have not yet supported climate initiatives to do so – thereby growing the climate philanthropy pie.
Ready to get involved?
There are three ways you can get started right now:
- Fund
There are several opportunities that have been presented on the Project Clearinghouse. Further funding opportunities including First Nations led initiatives will be added over time. Current opportunities include:
- Maximising opportunities for Pacific participation through building the capacity of NGOs on the technical aspects of the Paris Agreement and negotiating priorities.
- Supporting the Pacific Elders’ Voice to provide independent, well-researched and evidence-based opinion in relation to regional priorities ahead of COP31.
- Enabling the Pacific Islander Australian Fellowship Program to catalyse collaboration between Pacific climate activists, the Australian climate movement and Pasifika diaspora in Australia.
- Learn
Hear more about how to amplify Pacific voices ahead of COP31, a recording of the AEGN’s recent webinar featuring key Pacific community leaders sharing what they need to make the most of this historic opportunity.
- Keep up to date
Let us know if you’re interested in COP31 information and events and we will keep you in the loop on important opportunities. Email Farema Yazdi, AEGN’s Climate Program Coordinator, on farema@aegn.org.au
Thank you to Anna Cernaz and Leanne Minshull at the Graeme Wood Foundation, and Jane Thomas at The Myer Foundation/Sidney Myer Fund for their invaluable thoughts and ongoing leadership on this important topic.
*It is not yet confirmed whether Australia will host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific. The other host being considered is Turkiye. An announcement on the host can be made at any time.