Solar Citizens today welcomed the breakthrough agreement between Australia and Türkiye on hosting arrangements for COP31 next year, the world’s most important climate summit, as an outcome that protects global climate cooperation and strengthens the voice of the Pacific.
Speaking from COP30 in Belem, Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas said the agreement is a diplomatic achievement.
“Through diplomacy, Minister Chris Bowen and his Turkish counterpart are securing an outcome that gives Australia and the Pacific essential leadership at this critical moment.”
Under the agreement Türkiye will host COP31 while Australia has secured the COP31 Presidency for Minister Chris Bowen, giving Australia responsibility for shaping the global negotiating agenda, appointing chairs and leads, and preparing the draft decision text.
As part of the agreement, the Pre-COP will be held in the Pacific, providing a platform for world leaders to pledge to the Pacific Resilience Fund and elevate the region’s priorities for adaptation, equity and survival.
“Whilst we had hoped for Australia and the Pacific to co-host COP31, this is still a chance for climate leadership in our region,” Ms Douglas said. “For the Pacific—who face the frontlines of climate change—the ability to help shape COP31 is crucial for securing stronger global commitments.”
“That includes backing the Pacific’s long-standing demands like a just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels, complying with legal obligations to prevent climate harm and committing to new, predictable and accessible grant-based climate finance.
Ms Douglas noted that Australia’s climate responsibilities are heightened by its complex relationship with fossil fuels.
“Like many nations, Australia has a complicated relationship with carbon emissions—but ours is especially significant. Our fossil fuel exports alone contribute around 4.5 per cent of global emissions. A global spotlight through COP31 must help accelerate Australia’s shift away from coal and gas, while powering the rise of our emerging green export industries.”
“And to enable phasing out of fossil fuels, including from our exports, Australia can export its world leading rooftop solar know-how.”
Ms Douglas pointed out that the COP Presidency gives Australia a platform to demonstrate the climate solutions already working in Australia.
“Australia is the world leader per capita in rooftop solar, and with the Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program delivering 1,000 batteries a day since July 1, we are showing how to run a clean grid day and night. (1)
“Distributed consumer energy resources—rooftop solar and storage—are delivering energy equity, lowering bills, and can bring climate justice to communities left behind.”
She urged the Government to seize COP31 as a chance to demonstrate clear, scalable pathways forward.
“At COP31, Australia can lead by committing domestically to doubling rooftop solar backed by storage by 2035, by expanding solar for renters, scaling commercial and industrial solar and storage, and sharing that cheap clean energy to apartments in Urban Renewable Energy Zones,” she said.
Solar Citizens is currently in Belém, Brazil at COP30, building an Asia-Pacific Rooftop Solar Alliance to accelerate the rollout of rooftop solar backed by storage—a proven solution to both climate pollution and cost-of-living pressures.
“With Minister Bowen presiding over COP31, Australia and the Pacific now have a powerful platform to shape global ambition. This is our moment to lead and double down on solutions we already know work.”
“This is Australia’s chance to put rooftop solar at the heart of next year’s COP agenda, with a push from the Global Solar Council for pledges for 300 million solar rooftops by 2030”.
NOTES
(1) Stunning success of home battery boom… Renew Economy Aug 2025
About Solar Citizens
Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation advocating for fair and affordable renewable energy for all Australians. We represent millions of households and small businesses who are leading the clean energy transition through rooftop solar and battery storage. We advocate for a democratic energy system where households and businesses can actively participate as both consumers and producers, helping to create a safer, fairer, and more liveable nation—while leading as a responsible global citizen in the transition to a sustainable future.
Our Raise the Roof campaign is a global call to increase rooftop solar backed by storage by 2035. The Rooftop Solar Pledge and the Regional Rooftop Solar Alliance aims to embed people-powered renewable energy in national climate commitments and accelerate a just, distributed energy transition.
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