Bula COP31!

Behind every COP negotiation sits a mountain of research, and the universities and scientists who produce it. In this episode, Jack is joined by Rose Armour, Secretariat Director of the International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA), just days before she heads to Antalya for COP31.

Rose explains how IUCA works: a network of about 40 universities, founded in 2020 by UNSW, with a strong Oceania focus. She also explains how universities get accredited through the RINGO constituency (research and independent NGOs), and why RINGO’s morning briefings are a lifeline in the complexity of a COP. We also cover:

• How researchers can feed into the IPCC and UNFCCC beyond the COP itself, as authors, reviewers and contributors
• IUCA’s roughly ten side events at COP31, including sessions on Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), green skills, climate education, energy transition, and keeping 1.5°C alive and its impact on the Pacific
• A 24-hour global Wikipedia editathon on 11 November to tackle climate mis- and disinformation, run with Wikimedia and the University of Exeter. No experience needed
• A practical look at the blue zone, the green zone and the logistics of getting badged

If you can’t make it to Antalya, there are plenty of ways to follow along and take part from home. Links to events and the editathon sign-up are in the show notes.

Links:

• universitiesforclimate.org
• https://seors.unfccc.int/reports/events_list.html?session_id=COP3
• Wikipedia: 24-Hour Editathon for COP31

Bula COP31 is a fortnightly podcast following the COP31 climate negotiations through a Pacific lens.

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COP31 kicks off in Antalya on 9 November, and two first-time attendees are bringing something new with them: the first-ever Wellbeing Corner at the Child and Youth Pavilion.

Heidi sits down with Georgia Monahan, co-founder of EcoMind, the mental health charity helping young people turn their emotions into climate action. Sophia Scarparis, better known as Plastic Free Sophia, joins her. Together they unpack why the way we respond to the climate crisis can become part of the crisis, and what it looks like to do this work sustainably.

In this episode:

• The origin story of EcoMind, from the Black Summer bushfires to burnout in the climate movement
• Why “burnt-out people can’t save a burning planet, but cared-for people can”
• What came out of the COP31 Survival Kit sessions for youth delegates
• What Pacific and First Nations ways of knowing, like talanoa and yarning circles, can teach the wider climate world
• Inside the Wellbeing Corner and its three pillars: care, connect, create
• The Love Letter to the Natural World activity, plus climate cafés, peer support and Mental Health First Aid training
• Advice for first-time delegates, and for anyone who can’t be there but wants to bring more care into their climate work

Find the Wellbeing Corner: Child and Youth Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP31. Follow EcoMind on Instagram for updates from the ground.

Links for more infomation:

• ECOMIND website: https://www.ecomind.au/
• ECOMIND instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomind_aus/
• Plastic Free Sophia website: https://www.plasticfreesophia.com/
• Plastic Free Sophia instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreesophia/
• Child & Youth Pavilion: https://www.childrenandyouthpavilion.info/

Bula COP31 is your fortnightly guide to the COP31 negotiations through a Pacific lens.

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With COP31 just days away, we’re back for the second half of our conversation with Minister Chris Bowen, President of Negotiations, as he prepares for a sleepless fortnight at the Antalya Expo Centre.

In this episode, we dig into how the COP process can move beyond the gridlock and lack of consensus that has plagued recent conferences, and what Türkiye’s push for a more action-oriented COP31 could mean. We ask whether regional approaches like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) point the way forward, and whether trade and finance ministers should be at the table. Minister Bowen discusses the growing climate finance conversations among finance ministers and what’s happening with a possible carbon border adjustment in Australia, including Frank Jotzo’s carbon leakage review recommendation for a narrow mechanism covering cement and clinker, and how it fits into the Safeguard Mechanism review.

Heidi also brings a youth question to the Minister, drawing on our conversations with youth delegates calling for a fossil fuel phase-out, climate justice and ocean action. Minister Bowen highlights the roles of Kal Glanznig, Ocean Champion and Youth Champion, Sally Higgins, and offers a candid explanation of who is actually in the room when ministers negotiate.

We also cover what to watch for during COP31:

• Agendas are now published for the Pacific and Australian pavilions, so you can plan your COP
• Follow along via summaries and live webcasts (links in the show notes)
• Minister Bowen’s newly announced pairings of co-facilitating ministers for key agenda items, including adaptation (UK and Sierra Leone) and oceans (Palau and Canada)

Show notes and links

Follow COP31 (9 to 20 November 2026, Antalya)

• Official COP31 website: https://cop31.tr
• Australian Government COP31 website: https://unfccc-cop.dcceew.gov.au
• Australian COP31 LinkedIn page: [add link]

Pavilion agendas

• Australian Pavilion agenda: https://www.cop31-pacific.com/australian-pavilion#pbOC9BDuSnOJ_pbOC9BDuSnOJ
• Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion (Pacific) agenda: [add link] (the pavilion is managed by SPREP, https://www.sprep.org)

Live coverage and daily summaries

• Events at the COP31 Australian Pavilion will be live streamed on the DCCEEW YouTube channel.
• Subscribe for daily reports from the Earth Negotiations bulletin: https://enb.iisd.org/antalya-un-climate-change-conference-cop31

Co-facilitating ministers
Minister Bowen has announced pairings of ministers to co-facilitate negotiations on key agenda items, including adaptation (UK and Sierra Leone) and oceans (Palau and Canada).

• Full list of co-facilitators: https://theclimatewatch.com/cop31-names-10-co-facilitators-to-steer-key-climate-talks-in-antalya/

Episode links

• Part 1 of our interview with Minister Bowen: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-a-for-antalya-navigating-cop31-with/id1820670397?i=1000799333357

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With COP31 heading to Antalya, Jack and Heidi sit down with Chris Bowen, Australia’s COP31 President of Negotiations and Minister for Climate Change and Energy, to talk about what this unusual co-hosted COP could mean for global climate action.

In this episode:

• A new model for collaboration: Bowen reflects on the compromise that led to Australia and Türkiye to build COP31 together and why he sees it as “potentially a good model going forward.”
• Elevating Pacific voices: After the recent Pacific pre-COP meeting, Bowen discusses the existential threat facing small island states and the gap in climate finance. Only 0.2% of available climate finance goes to small island developing states for adaptation.
• A COP of implementation: Bowen argues COP31 needs to focus on implementation and acceleration, and shares a recent Australian initiative to electrify industry that he believes other nations could learn from.
• Energy and climate in one portfolio: Bowen explains why holding both roles gives him a practical view on driving emissions reduction in the energy sector, even during a global energy crisis.
• Ambition meets diplomacy: The conversation explores the balance between ambitious climate goals and the realities of international negotiations, and why COP31 is a pivotal moment for turning commitments into action.

Follow COP31 (9-20 November 2026, Antalya, Türkiye)

The Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion and the Australian Pavilion are the main hubs for Pacific climate leadership, partnership and negotiations at COP31. The Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion is managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.

• COP31 Australian Pavilion: https://www.cop31-pacific.com/australian-pavilion
• Livestream: events at the Australian Pavilion will be streamed on the DCCEEW YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@DCCEEW)
• Photos: official images from the Australian Pavilion are on Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/people/201791893@N02/)

Bula COP31 follows the COP31 negotiations through a Pacific lens. New episodes every fortnight.

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When young people write a climate statement, every comma counts. Fresh from the Pre-COP in Fiji, Heidi sits down with Abdul Mufeez Shaheed, Engagement and Outreach Lead at Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), Co-Chair of the Australia-Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue (APYCD) and lead drafter of the RCOY Oceania statement.

Abdul takes us inside the three-day APYCD, where young people aged 14 to 29 from the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Türkiye and Ethiopia worked to turn years of regional youth calls into one clear ask for decision-makers. We cover:

• How a dozen themes, from 1.5°C and climate finance to ocean health, climate mobility and nuclear justice, came together in a single statement
• Why the dialogue produced a four-part outcomes package, including negotiator briefs with suggested intervention language
• Why 1.5°C is a limit and not a target
• Mangrove planting as innovation, where tradition and intergenerational knowledge meet nature-based solutions
• The "tree of hope" at Pre-COP, and the leaf that read "I hope COP31 is the last"
• Why Pacific negotiators go to COP not for a policy document, but for their lives and livelihoods

Listen for a reminder of who is in the room, who is waiting outside, and what's at stake when the world gathers in Antalya.

Link to the statement here: https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/media/6826/file/APYCD_FinalOutcomeStatement.pdf.pdf

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Y is for Yap, one of the four island states of the Federated States of Micronesia. It’s a scattering of more than 600 islands across nearly three million square kilometres of western Pacific, ringed by reefs, corals and mangroves.

Jack is solo in the hot seat this week and joined by Dr Atiq Zaman, Associate Professor at Curtin University, to ask why waste belongs on the COP31 agenda. Atiq is ranked in the top 2% of scientists globally by Stanford and Elsevier, and ScholarGPS ranks him number one in the world for zero waste research. He is also a 2025 WA Young Tall Poppy Science Award recipient and the creator of the Zero Waste Index.

In this episode:

• How a childhood in Bangladesh, where nothing was wasted, led to a career in zero waste via Sweden, the UN in New York and Australia
• Why waste is only 3–4% of emissions at end of life, yet a full life-cycle view of materials, land and food puts circular economy in the picture for around 45% of emissions
• Why recycling shouldn’t be our first move, and what a single mobile phone tells us about critical minerals
• What the Pacific can do about packaging imports, organic waste, composting and plastic alternatives like jute and seagrass biopolymers
• What Atiq hopes COP31 in Antalya delivers: recognition of circular economy as climate action, and a global agreement with national targets

Plus a callback to our Episode W conversation with Jason Graham-Nye on compostable nappies in Tuvalu, a circular economy in practice.

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Our alphabet series hits X, and we're calling it Generation X. Recorded late at night in Nadi, Fiji, this episode brings you straight into the Pre-COP31 conversation with Professor Peta Ashworth OAM, Director of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition at Curtin University.

Peta is a leading expert in energy, communication and stakeholder engagement. She has spent almost two decades researching how communities respond to wind, solar, storage, hydrogen and carbon capture. She is attending the Pre-COP as part of the COP Universities Alliance for Australia, and heads to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye next month.

In this episode we cover:

• Why the Pre-COP is about moving from ambition to action, and why 1.5 is a lifeline, not a slogan
• What a just, community-led energy transition looks like for the Pacific
• Moving from diesel to solar and batteries, and the role of blended finance
• Off-grid options and mini-grids for communities beyond the grid
• How Australian universities can support Pacific project planning and capacity building
• Australia's mixed position on fossil fuels and renewables
• How the Pre-COP connects to a COP31 focused on implementation

Links:

• COP Universities Alliance: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/climate/collaboration/cop-universities-alliance
• Curtin Institute for Energy Transition: https://research.curtin.edu.au/ciet/about-us/our-leaders/

Bula COP31 follows COP31 through a Pacific lens. Hosted by Heidi Dumesich and Jack Whelan.

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It's the first day of Pre-COP31 in the Pacific, and we're going straight to the ground in Tuvalu. Jack and Heidi kick off the week, then hand over to our Pre-COP correspondent, Jason Graham-Nye. He's lagoon-side in Funafuti as Hercules aircraft land with delegations, journalists and supplies.

We're up to the letter W in our series. Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific. It sits between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east and Tokelau to the northeast. Mata Utu is its capital and largest city. It felt fitting to name this episode after a small island group in the middle of the Pacific, in a week when Pre-COP31 is taking place in Fiji and Tuvalu.

Jason explains why life on a low-lying atoll feels so vulnerable. The highest point is a landfill, and the ocean is never far away. Then he walks us through the Greater Good Diaper Project, which he runs with his partner, Kim Graham-Nye. It replaces plastic disposable nappies with 100% compostable ones, delivered and collected by local women, and turned into compost in about eight weeks.

In this episode:

• Discuss how nappies are the biggest source of plastic waste in Tuvalu
• A financing model built on third-party verified plastic-avoidance certificates and a proposed circular transition bond
• A live tour of Jason's Tuvalu office and compost boxes
• Why this is a practical example of the circular economy and zero waste agenda heading to COP31

Learn more about Jason's work: http://www.thegreatergood.global/

Read the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report he co-authored, A Circular Economy for Nappies and How to Implement It Locally: https://content.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/m/d4bac88b31ead81b/original/A-Circular-Economy-for-Nappies.pdf

Bula COP31 is your fortnightly guide to the COP31 negotiations through a Pacific lens. Stay tuned for more Pre-COP episodes from Fiji and Tuvalu this week.

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Tess Newton-Cain joins Heidi and Jack on the podcast to discuss the outcomes of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the pressing climate challenges facing the region. The podcast unpacks the discussions held at this pivotal event, and the shifts to the upcoming UN Conference of the Parties COP31 and the significant role the Pacific plays in the global climate narrative.

One of the main highlights from the PIF was the declaration for urgent and inclusive climate action to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Dr. Newton-Cain emphasized that this declaration builds on previous commitments, such as the Kainaki Declaration and the Ocean of Peace Declaration, which have long underscored the Pacific's stance on climate change as a paramount security issue.

Dr. Newton-Cain noted that the context surrounding this declaration was particularly significant, especially with the recent UNEP report indicating that the 1.5-degree goal is at risk of being overshot. This news has understandably caused unrest among Pacific leaders, with thoughts of its implications weighing heavily on their minds.

In response to the challenging climate forecasts, Dr. Newton-Cain shared the resolute spirit of Pacific negotiators.

The declaration calls for immediate action in four critical areas, highlighting the necessity to keep 1.5 degrees within reach, alongside recognizing the vital ocean-climate nexus. This multi-faceted approach showcases the Pacific's commitment to climate resilience and global leadership.

As we look forward to COP31 in Antalya, the voices from the Pacific remind us of the urgency for global collaboration and decisive action against climate change.

For more information and to read more of Dr. Tess Newton-Cain's work - refer to the links below:

Affirmed,note, endorsed: Pacific Island Forums leader in Koror

Dr Tess Newton Cain

Lowy Institute

Griffith University - Strategic-outlook-for-the-pacific-islands-regio

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Shipping produces around 3% of global emissions, yet almost everything we buy has travelled by sea at some point. In Episode U, Heidi and Jack are joined by Jenny Ruffell Smith, Senior Project Manager at the Global Maritime Forum, to unpack one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise.

Jenny has spent almost two decades in shipping and logistics. She explains why there's no silver-bullet fuel, from wind-assisted sails and biofuels to methanol and ammonia. She also walks us through the Western Australia–East Asia Iron Ore Green Shipping Corridor, the world's largest bulk shipping route, and what it will take to run it on ammonia. We cover the cost gap, policy uncertainty at the IMO, and why electrification suits ferries but not deep-sea trade.

We also look at why shipping is a lifeline for Pacific communities, from food and fuel security to connecting islands, and what Jenny's team is planning for the Pre-COP in Fiji and COP31 in Antalya.

Named for Upolu, the main island of Samoa and home to Apia, this episode is a reminder that decarbonising shipping is about future-proofing global trade.

Links:

Green Shipping Cooridors report

Getting to Zero Coalition

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This episode, we're joined by John Duncan, Global Initiative Lead for WWF's No Plastics in Nature program, to unpack the Global Plastics Treaty — often called the most significant environmental agreement since Paris.

John breaks down why voluntary corporate action hasn't moved the needle, how a 330+ company business coalition is pushing governments for binding rules, and why extended producer responsibility (EPR) could be the single biggest lever for change. We dig into the sticking points stalling negotiations, why the Pacific is ground zero for the plastic-climate-biodiversity connection, and what "circular economy" solutions actually look like beyond recycling. Plus: laser-printed fruit labels, compostable nappies in Vanuatu, and why refill-and-reuse systems might beat "eco" materials altogether.

Links:

John Duncan LinkedIn

https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/business-coalition-for-a-global-plastics-treaty

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/13/new-un-plastic-treaty-going-backwards-experts

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/did-you-see-the-latest-development-in-the-share-7495478417866391553-QuL4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABcNHiUBeH_j_Dyo4tHVOsvmulrogj21M6E

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Jon Jutsen returns to Bula COP31 to unpack the messier middle of the energy transition: where biofuels and biogas still have a role in hard-to-abate sectors like mining, farming and remote transport, and whether Australia's electricity grid is actually ready for the wave of EVs and heat pumps about to hit it. Jutsen makes the case that biodiesel is a short-term bridge at best, that biogas is underused in agriculture and rural industry, and that our networks — built for a world of dozens of new connection applications a year, not thousands — are racing to catch up. The conversation turns to a bigger question: are big centralised transmission networks becoming redundant as we shift toward local, distributed grids?

Jutsen thinks the answer is nuanced — networks aren't going away, but their role is changing fast. A must-listen ahead of COP31 for anyone tracking Australia and the Pacific's electrification journey.

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Can Australia hit net zero without a clear plan to get there? In this episode of Bula COP31, we sit down with energy transition expert Jonathan Jutsen to unpack what it will really take to electrify Australia's economy by 2035.

Jon has spent decades working at the intersection of energy policy and business, and he doesn't pull punches: Australia's energy transition remains deeply politicised, market forces (not policy) are currently driving renewables adoption, and without a detailed, bottom-up operational plan, the 35% electrification target risks becoming another missed milestone.

We cover what's genuinely improved in renewable uptake, why bipartisanship has been so hard to find, sector-by-sector realities of electrification, lessons Australia could take from Norway, and the case for microgrids and local energy solutions as the grid strains to keep up. We also touch on the future of biofuels and renewable diesel for the hard-to-abate sectors electrification can't easily reach.

This episode also pays tribute to Fiona Wain, remembered as a high-energy voice who was never short of an opinion — and whose impact on the sector's thinking runs through much of this conversation.

👤 Guest: Jonathan Jutsen

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjutsen/

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Heidi continues her conversation with Selen İnal, founder of the COP31 Türkiye Brief, picking up where they left off at the Zero Waste Forum.

This episode dives into the climate issue hiding in plain sight — waste. Selen breaks down why methane from poorly managed organic waste is one of the most dangerous and underrated climate threats, and unpacks the circular economy challenge: which plastics can actually be recycled, why the EU's new digital product passport could change everything, and a confronting question raised at the Forum — why are developed nations still exporting their waste to developing countries?

The conversation also turns to representation, with reflections on meeting Australia's COP31 Youth Climate Champion Sally Higgins, and why having a young woman from an agricultural background in that role matters far beyond symbolism. Heidi and Selen also touch on the Subsidiary Bodies meetings currently underway in Bonn — the dense, high-level negotiations that shape what actually gets discussed at COP.

🔗 Follow the COP31 Türkiye Brief: cop31tr.com | LinkedIn: COP31 Türkiye Brief

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Recorded right after Australia's surprise 2-0 World Cup win over Türkiye, Heidi sat down with Selen İnal — founder and editor of the COP31 Türkiye Brief (cop31tr.com) — for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from waste and electrification to women in climate leadership and what makes Turkish coffee so special.

Selen is a Turkish engineer, entrepreneur and climate communicator who has attended four COPs and built an independent, volunteer-run platform to bring technical expertise and diverse voices into the COP conversation. Her portal — free to publish in for anyone with 10+ years of experience in energy transition or climate change — is fast becoming one of the most rigorous sources of COP31 commentary outside the formal negotiating rooms.

In this episode they cover:

🔋 Electrification — the 35% electrification target announced at SB62 in Bonn, why coupling electrification with phasing out fossil fuels is non-negotiable, and why the Socceroos' "just score more goals" strategy might be a metaphor for the energy transition

♻️ Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul — what happened when two thousand participants packed a plenary room under a ceiling of ocean projections, why methane from organic waste is one of the most underestimated climate problems, and why copy-pasting European circular economy solutions into developing countries doesn't work

🌍 Waste and the global south — the uncomfortable conversation at the forum about developed countries exporting their waste problems to less developed ones

👩 Women in climate leadership — why Sally Higgins as Australia's youth climate champion matters, why three of the five current UN Secretary-General candidates are women, and what having a woman in that role for the first time in history could mean

🤝 Turkey and Australia — two countries whose destinies are suddenly intertwined through a shared COP presidency, a World Cup match and a growing desire to actually fix this thing

🔗 Follow the COP31 Türkiye Brief: cop31tr.com | LinkedIn: COP31 Türkiye Brief

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With COP31 just six months away, Heidi brings Jack — and all of us — up to speed on the rapidly shifting climate diplomacy landscape.

From Istanbul to Bonn, Palau to Queensland, this episode maps the crowded pre-COP calendar and asks what it all adds up to. COP31 host Turkey is ramping up its diplomatic presence: COP President Murat Kurum is in constant motion — most recently at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, where he joined Azerbaijan and Brazil in signing the "Belem Mission to 1.5" — a joint push to strengthen national climate contributions, accelerate adaptation, and scale up implementation. And UN Climate High-Level Champion Samed Agirbas is consulting stakeholders on what earns a place on the Action Agenda.

We share our conversation with Selen Inal, founder of the COP31 Turkiye Brief — a must-follow resource as Antalya approaches. Plus, Australia and Turkey's joint COP31 Youth Climate Champion has been announced: Sally Higgins, a farmer from Queensland, who'll be saying Bula! to us soon.

In the Pacific, preparations are intensifying. A Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau in September carries the theme BELAU — Building Economies, Life, Action, Unity. A Pre-COP lands in Fiji in October. And a landmark new Pacific Resilience Facility has been established by Treaty, with Australia making a substantial initial contribution to channel climate finance to vulnerable island states.

And before all of that: the SB64 Subsidiary Body meetings open in Bonn on 8 June, where government officials will be hammering out the technical and policy groundwork for COP31 negotiations on finance, mitigation, adaptation, and transparency.

#BulaCOP32 #COP31 #ClimateAction #UNFCCC #PacificClimate #ClimateFinance #Belem #NetZero #PacificResilience #ClimateJustice #COP31Turkiye #SB64 #Bonn #ClimatePolicy #Pacific #Palau #Fiji #Tuvalu #MarshallIslands #Vanuatu #YouthClimate #Podcast #ClimatePodcast #Sustainability #GlobalClimateAction

Links from the podcast:

• https://www.palaupledge.com/
• unfccc.int › sb64June Climate Meetings (SB64) - UNFCCC
• https://globalzerowasteforum.org
• https://sdg.iisd.org/events/55th-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-meeting/

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This episode is part two of our collaboration with Fossil vs Future—we recommend listening to part one first.

As the world looks ahead to COP31 this November, hosted by Türkiye with Australia leading the negotiations, this episode brings together voices from across continents and generations. Jack and Heidi are joined by James Cameron and Daisy Nicholls (hosts of Fossil Versus Future) for a timely conversation on what we hope—and need—to see from this year’s conference.

Together, we unpack the key questions shaping COP31: What will make it onto the Action Agenda? Why is the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative gaining momentum? And if we could write it ourselves, what should the COP31 closing speech actually say?

Along the way, we explore the geopolitical and economic context underpinning the negotiations—from shifting energy systems to the role of emerging climate alliances—and reflect on what meaningful progress could look like in a critical decade for climate action.

Further listening & resources:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – Learn more about the Paris Agreement and Article 6
• International Energy Agency – Data and analysis on global energy trends
• International Institute for Sustainable Development – Follow negotiations through the Earth Negotiations Bulletin

Thanks for listening—and be sure to follow Bula COP31 to stay part of the conversation.

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Episode intro / context:

COP31 will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026 — but the Pacific is at the centre of it all. While Türkiye handles the logistics and operations of the conference, Australia will lead the negotiations. And crucially, the Pre-COP will be hosted right here in Fiji, supported by the Government of Australia. For us at Bula COP31, this is exactly what we've been advocating for: an unprecedented opportunity to bring the world to the Pacific, to witness climate impacts and solutions firsthand.

Episode description:

In this collaborative, cross-continental episode, we're joined by James and Daisy — hosts of Fossil Versus Future— for an intergenerational conversation about the COP process. Jack and Heidi sit down with James, who takes the hot seat to share what he's witnessed on the ground at previous COPs. How can the COP presidency shape outcomes? How does geopolitics drive climate diplomacy? And is it time for the process itself to be reformed?

Recommendations:

• Want to go deeper on the co-hosting arrangement between Australia and Türkiye? That's exactly what we unpack on Bula COP31 — give us a listen.

Advocates & Resources:

• Türkiye holds the formal COP31 Presidency, managing all operational and logistical requirements, with the conference and World Leaders Summit physically taking place in Antalya. But Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, will serve as President of Negotiations — a role with exclusive authority over the agenda, draft texts, and appointment of co-facilitators. This creative arrangement was designed to break a diplomatic deadlock that would otherwise have sent the conference to Bonn, Germany, and left the world without focused negotiation leadership for a year.
• An intergovernmental organisation giving voice to small island nations on the issues that threaten their very existence.
• BINGO (Business and Industry Non-Governmental Organizations) — the formal constituency representing business and industry observers within the UNFCCC process.
• Originally founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum, the Pacific Islands Forum is an 18-member intergovernmental body that unites the region to tackle its most pressing challenges — including the climate crisis.
• The Carbon War by Jeremy Leggett — A firsthand account of the climate negotiations and the relentless efforts of fossil fuel interests — the so-called "carbon club" — to derail them. Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the politics behind the process.
• The precautionary principle: the idea that when harm is plausible, we act — even before the science is complete. A principle the Pacific has long called on the world to apply.
• (2017) — Just weeks before hosting COP23, Fiji made history by issuing a sovereign green bond, raising FJD 100m (USD 50m) to fund climate mitigation and adaptation. Pacific leadership in action.
• (2018) — Talanoa is a Pacific tradition: inclusive, participatory, transparent dialogue. When Fiji held the COP23 Presidency, it brought Talanoa to the world stage — launching the Talanoa Dialogue to invite everyone into the conversation about climate solutions. That spirit lives on in everything we do at Bula COP31.

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Most of us feel powerless in the face of climate change—and yet, change is happening right now, driven by everyday citizens and global leaders alike.

What if your voice could shape international negotiations? And how is Australia’s unique dual-presidency at COP 31 positioned to prioritize the vulnerable Pacific Islands?

In this episode, Heidi and Jack take you inside Climate Action Week Sydney, a massive week of advocacy, policy, and community-led initiatives that influence the biggest climate negotiations on the planet.

Discover how local events and grassroots activism are directly impacting global climate policies, with behind-the-scenes insights from key leaders like Minister Chris Bowen and grassroots innovators like Mary Jack from Vanuatu.

We break down how the Pacific's is shaping COP 31, the significance of the upcoming Fiji pre-COP, and hear from climate advocates amplifying Indigenous and women-led voices. You'll learn about the critical role that community input plays in forming official negotiation positions and why this moment is more important than ever for those who want to make a difference.

Voxies from:

- Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

- Eezu Tan, Founder of Climate Writers

- Dr. Amba-Rose Atkinson, Indigenous Researcher

-Mary Jack, Founder of Mitingar Women and Girls Association

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This is part 2 of our episode with Kenta Sayama, the Climate and Environment specialist in UNICEF Vanuatu.

In Part 2, we shift the conversation to how young people can turn passion into action through UNICEF. We explore the pathways available for youth to engage — from joining national youth advisory groups and participating in advocacy campaigns, to contributing to community programs that shape policy outcomes for children and young people on the frontlines of climate change.

Why does this matter? Because youth aren’t just future leaders — they are shaping solutions today. Understanding how to plug into established institutions like UNICEF opens doors for impact, amplifies grassroots voices, and strengthens collective action across borders. Without this engagement, critical perspectives from young people — particularly in climate-vulnerable regions — risk being overlooked.

Links and resources:

• Get involved with PICAN and VCAN
• UNICEF - Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
• Background information on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate justice
• Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP)

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In this episode, Bula COP31 has a special guest all the way from Vanuatu, Kenta Sayama, the Climate and Environment specialist in UNICEF Vanuatu.

Kenta shares his inspiring personal journey from Japan to the Pacific, revealing how international experiences in Brazil, the UK, and Japan have shaped his innovative approach to climate advocacy. He dives into the unique challenges small island nations face — from rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion to the cultural and mental health impacts of climate change — and explains how new financial mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund and Green Climate Fund are opening doors for vulnerable countries. You'll learn about real projects like Vanuatu’s Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP) and the Pacific Resilience Facility, which are helping communities build real resilience against climate impacts.

We break down the most effective strategies for youth engagement, from grassroots networks like Vanuatu Climate Action Network (VCAN) and Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) to navigating the daunting logistics of remote island participation. Kenta emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding, contextual solutions, and ensuring youth voices lead climate negotiations, not just attend as token figures. He highlights the historic influence of Vanuatu's Pacific youth in global judicial actions like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate justice — a groundbreaking moment in international law that affirms our collective responsibility to act.

Why does this matter? Because the future of climate resilience hinges on local-level action, global solidarity, and inclusive leadership. Missing out on this vital insight risks perpetuating a cycle where small island voices are drowned out, and effective climate solutions remain out of reach. This episode is an essential listen for policymakers, activists, young leaders, and anyone invested in climate justice — because real change starts by amplifying the voices that are most at risk.

Prepare to be inspired, informed, and motivated to make a difference. Whether you’re a Pacific youth seeking guidance, a global citizen passionate about climate justice, or a supporter of empowering local action, this conversation reveals the bold steps needed to turn hope into tangible impact.

Tune in now — your role in shaping a resilient Pacific starts here.

Links and resources:

• Get involved with PICAN and VCAN
• UNICEF - Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
• Background information on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate justice
• Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP)

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In this episode, Heidi and Jack discuss the outcomes of COP30 and of the COP31 hosting bib negotiations, reflecting on Australia's role in the negotiations and the implications for the Pacific Islands. They delve into the contentious issue of fossil fuels, the significance of unilateral trade measures like carbon border adjustments, and the importance of consumer responsibility in addressing climate change. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration and innovative solutions moving forward, particularly in the context of the Pacific region.

Time Stamps:

3:19 Thoughts on COP31 hosting bid outcome

8:50 Fossil Fuel Roadmap

18:44 Unilateral Trade Mechanism Debate

Keywords

COP 30, climate change, Australia, fossil fuels, negotiations, Pacific Islands, trade measures, carbon emissions, consumer responsibility, climate finance

Sources mentioned in the podcast:

Trump trade wars keep Labor's carbon tariff on ice

Colombia Press Conference - Declaration Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels at COP30

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In this episode ‘I’ for Ipswich, on G’day COP31! (or will it be renamed ‘I’ for Istanbul?) we are joined by Mara Bún from the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, refreshed after a rest day at the start of the second week of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Among all the important issues being addressed is the BIG question that hangs in the balance - the choice of Türkiye or Australia as the host country for COP31 in 2026? Mara Bún navigates us through the labyrinth in the COP, sharing her insights and personal encounters from the heart of the Blue (Bluey?) and Green Zones in crowded, hot, steamy Belém.

Mara helped to set up an extraordinary impromptu press conference, right at the nexus between the Turkish and Australian pavilions, when representatives of Australian First Nations, businesses, civil society, youth and investors expressed their support for the Adelaide COP31 bid. With a steady hand holding the camera, Mara posted on Linked In “Cometh the hour, cometh the people” - which resulted in the story being covered in the Australian Financial Review, Bloomberg, Carbon Pulse, CNBC Brazil, Politico, AP and Reneweconomy - https://lnkd.in/gSc8HvBU

Richie Merzian, head of the Clean Energy Investor Group – moderated the line up of speakers from Australia, including Professor Anne Poelina, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Tennant Reed and we include some edited highlights – so listen to the end of the episode! You can listen to the full press conference here.

Thanks Mara for the chat on Episode ‘I’ for Ipswich – from Belém on G’day COP31!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
04:40 COP31 update
14:04 Inside COP30
19:48 Unilateral trade measures debate
25:24 Press conference about COP31

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In this episode, we chat with Tegan Clark, a PhD candidate at ANU and research assistant at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, about her journey from growing up in Cairns to becoming a leading youth voice in climate action.

Tegan shares how her connection with nature shaped her decision to get involved in climate activism. She talks about her experience at COP29 with Plan International Australia’s Youth Activist Series, the importance of interdisciplinary science, and her work advocating for stronger youth engagement in global climate negotiations.

We also discuss Tegan’s submission to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for COP31, which focuses on breaking down barriers to youth participation, and the role of initiatives like the Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue in empowering young climate leaders. Tune in to hear Tegan’s vision for a COP where young people’s voices are not just present — they’re truly heard and valued.

Links:

The Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue

COP31: A COP for Children and Young People

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tegan Clark
03:39 Journey to Climate Activism
07:27 Experiences at COP29
11:17 Fossil fuel companies at COPs
13:04 Submission for COP31: A COP for Children and Young People
16:16 Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
19:10 Learning from Pacific Youth and First Nations Perspectives
20:19 Training Programs for Youth Engagement
23:15 Confidence for Youth at COPs
25:30 Overcoming Challenges in Diverse Backgrounds

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Join Jack and Heidi as they take you behind the scenes at the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) Summit 2025 in Sydney. G’day COP31 was invited to the two-day event to uncover where the investment community sees capital flowing in climate-related opportunities — and how policy and COP31 can act as catalysts for scaling up climate investment.

The IGCC Summit is where Australia’s leading investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts come together to unpack a wave of climate-related announcements shaping risk, returns, and fiduciary responsibility. With Australia facing one of the fastest-evolving climate policy environments in the world — and trillions in retirement savings at stake — the summit focuses on turning today’s climate challenges into tomorrow’s investment opportunities.

In this episode, you’ll hear exclusive recordings from keynote and panel sessions featuring:

• Al Gore, Founding Partner and Chairman, Generation Investment Management
• Deidre Willmott, Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs, Fortescue
• Michael Bartlett, Acting Branch Head, DCCEEW
• Kate Donnelly, Impact and Unlisted Investment Manager, Future Group
• Richie Merzian, CEO Clean Energy Investor Group
• And finally, we wrap up with closing insights from Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO of IGCC.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Jack's feelings

3:17 - Introduction to IGCC and the importance of it

7:37 - Al Gore

10:49 - Deidre Willmot and Michael Bartlett

13:40 - Kate Donnelly

15:08 - Richie Merzian

17:44 - Rebecca Mikula-Wright

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Keywords

COP31, climate change, Turkey, Australia, carbon trading, climate finance, Pacific Islands, virtual engagement, adaptation, negotiations

Summary

In this episode of G'day COP31, hosts Heidi Dumesich and Jack Whelan discuss the current status of Australia's bid to host COP31, the implications of Turkey's involvement, and the challenges faced in organizing the event. They explore the importance of virtual engagement in climate discussions, the need for Australia to strengthen diplomatic relations with Pacific Islands, and the complexities surrounding carbon trading mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The conversation highlights the significance of adaptation and climate finance for developing countries, particularly in the Pacific region, and concludes with a call for future engagement and expert discussions on these critical topics.

Takeaways

• Australia's bid for COP31 is under threat from Turkey.
• The Pacific Islands support Australia's bid for COP31.
• If no consensus is reached, COP31 will default to Bonn, Germany.
• Virtual engagement can enhance participation in COP discussions.
• Australia's climate risk assessment highlights urgent issues.
• Diplomatic relations with Pacific Islands are crucial for Australia.
• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement focuses on carbon trading mechanisms.
• Countries face challenges in accessing climate finance for adaptation.
• Education on carbon markets is essential for developing countries.
• Future discussions will focus on specific themes within climate negotiations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weekend Activities
01:14 COP31 Bid Status and Negotiations
04:08 Potential Hosting Challenges and Events
05:36 Virtual Engagement and COP Participation
06:54 Downsizing COP31 and Stakeholder Engagement
09:19 Diplomatic Relations and Climate Ambitions
13:07 Climate Risks and Adaptation Needs
16:12 Focus on Specific Climate Issues
19:46 Understanding Carbon Trading Mechanisms
26:13 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Links:

Climate Week session on Article 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqMVP2QkRds&list=PLBcZ22cUY9RJT5Cp3K72BlPtp1eZQmztc&index=23

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/13/australias-cop31-bid-teeters-as-rival-turkey-refuses-to-withdraw

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/15/pacific-islands-forum-pif-2025-five-key-takeaways

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G'day everybody! In this episode, we sit down with Afonso, a sustainability innovator, entrepreneur, and community builder who’s shaping how organisations and people respond to the climate challenge.

As the founder of NetNada, a sustainability reporting and carbon accounting software company, Afonso has helped Australian and global organisations meet climate-related disclosure requirements under AASB and CSRD, built the award-winning NetNada Academy that’s trained 150+ professionals, and delivered over 100 GHG-aligned carbon inventories. Afonso is also the co-founder of Pharmacycle, Australia’s only end-to-end recycling solution for the nation’s billion-sized blister pack problem, which has already achieved a 100% diversion rate, national coverage with 1,000+ drop-off points, and partnerships with major pharmacy chains.

But this conversation isn’t about software and recycling—it’s about people and movements. Afonso is the coordinator of Climate Crew, a fast-growing community of 1,000+ members driving connection and action across Australia’s climate space. With COP31 set to take place in Adelaide, we discuss Climate Crew’s role as the “Unofficial Social Hub” of the conference: from breakfast clubs and evening meetups, to thematic gatherings on nature tech and climate finance, and a special focus on amplifying Pacific voices.

We talk about the motivation behind Climate Crew, how it differs from other climate groups, and what legacy it hopes to leave at COP31—whether as advocates, connectors, or facilitators of the climate movement.

If you want to understand the future of sustainability—from corporate disclosure to community-led climate action—this episode is for you.

Links:

https://www.altercop.com/australia

https://www.pharmacycle.com.au/about

https://www.netnada.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/myclimatecrew/posts/?feedView=all

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In this episode, Diksha Duggal reflects on her path into the YOUNGO constituency and explores the critical role of youth in climate negotiations. She discusses the push for greater inclusivity, YOUNGO’s preparations for COP 30 and COP 31, and the importance of grassroots movements in shaping climate policy.

Takeaways

• Diksha's journey into the Youngo constituency began with her passion for sustainability.
• Youngo serves as the collective voice for youth in climate negotiations.
• Inclusivity and youth engagement are crucial in climate discussions.
• Diksha emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements in climate activism.
• The upcoming COP 30 and COP 31 are pivotal for youth engagement.
• Every voice matters in the fight against climate change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Youngo and Diksha's Journey
03:02 Understanding Youngo's Role in Climate Action
06:05 Preparing for COP 30: Strategies and Collaborations
08:11 Youth Engagement and Inclusivity in Climate Discussions
12:31 Addressing Key Issues Raised at SB 62
21:12 How do people get involved in YOUNGOs/ COP process
24:40 Mascot for COP30 - Curupira
26:12 Capacity Building for Youth Participation
28:00 Blueprint for Future COPs

LINKS

UNFCC YOUNGO website: https://unfccc.int/topics/action-for-climate-empowerment-children-and-youth/youth/youngo

https://youngoclimate.org/

Links to become a YOUNGO member:

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/18eatDBTHPKJLCzBS9lsE17tzi8mPys5MiXmsGPTNdlA/edit?tab=t.0
• https://forms.gle/SmLx8n3dezbtMWaC8

YOUNGO Unveils Strategic Policy Position at SB62: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/youngo-strategic-policy-position-youngo-unfccc-zgprc/

Conference of Youth (COY): https://unfccc.int/topics/education-and-youth/youngo/coy

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In this Episode ‘C for Canberra’ of G'day COP31!, Heidi and Jack explore recent calls by various civil society groups for reforms in the UNFCCC process - to address concerns about inclusivity, observer engagement, representation and participation. Some want so-called ‘vested interests’ to be limited or even excluded. The conversation focuses on efforts to involve diverse stakeholders in the climate dialogue to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Takeaways

• Australia's bid for COP31 remains uncertain as Turkey continues to assert its position.
• The UNFCCC process is evolving in response to calls for inclusivity and effectiveness.
• Observers are seeking a more prominent role in negotiations, but how?
• Regional climate weeks will facilitate broader engagement and geographical representation.
• Limiting participation by certain interest groups in COP events is a complex issue.
• Accredited NGOs are clustered in stakeholder constituency groups.

Resources:

1. UNFCCC Constituency Focal Points - https://unfccc.int/documents/228031
2. UNFCCC Party (Country) Groupings – see https://unfccc.int/party-groupings#:~:text=The%20Umbrella%20Group%20is%20a,Federation%2C%20Ukraine%20and%20the%20US.
3. UNFCCC Message to Constituencies of admitted NGOs – Climate Week 2, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1-6 Sept 2025 https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Notification_NGOs_ClimateWeek2.pdf
4. Article about Australia’s bid to host COP31, The Guardian –https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/28/albanese-will-need-to-resolve-the-standoff-with-turkey-if-australia-is-to-host-cop31

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of COP31

03:00 The UNFCCC Bond Climate Meetings and Australia's Role

06:07 Improving the COP Process: Efficiency and Inclusivity

08:25 Observer Engagement

12:40 Managing Overcrowding and Participation Limits

19:06 Regional Climate Weeks: A New Approach

28:18 Vested Interests and Their Impact on Climate Negotiations

34:00 Conclusion and Future Directions

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In this episode of G'day COP31, we say a warm hello to Michael Kelly from the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) – the global voice for LPG producers like butane and propane.

Michael gives us the lowdown on what WLGA does and why it shows up at COPs (spoiler: it’s not just about lobbying). We dig into how LPG plays a role in clean cooking, off-grid power, and energy access in the developing world – and yes, even your Aussie barbeque.

We also unpack the Australian Government’s push to host COP31 “in partnership with the Pacific” – is Adelaide the right venue? And what’s in it for our Pacific neighbours?

Plus, what do emissions from LPG look like, and how does the industry plan to stay relevant in a low-carbon world?

Finally, we ask: Will Mike be at COP31? How can Australian companies get involved? And how does the WLGA help them get a seat at the table?

Some links that can help you follow along with the COP process:

Here is the official UNFCCC link for the June UN Climate Meetings (SB62): https://unfccc.int/sb62

The schedule of events for the SB62 meetings is continuously updated, and will indicate which sessions are available for public webcast. See in particular, the Presidency-led consultation event with Parties on the Baku to Belém Roadmap, at 14h00 on 16 June. This could be when Australia or Turkey is announced as the host of COP31: https://unfccc.int/sb62/schedule?type=All

Social media access to SB62 in Bonn: https://unfccc.int/sb62/ifp#Social-media-and-photos

Article on 'What to Expect at the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025: https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/what-to-expect-bonn-climate-change-conference-2025

Earth Negotiations Bulletin (go to for every detail at COP): https://enb.iisd.org/about/earth-negotiations-bulletin

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