Labor in diplomatic climate flurry, at home and overseas, before parliament sits

With a little over a week until the new federal parliament convenes for the first time, the Albanese government is ramping up diplomatic efforts – both domestically and internationally – to win support for its climate action ambitions.

While much of these efforts have been carefully orchestrated – such as this week’s inaugural Sydney Energy Forum which attracted high level representation from major Asia Pacific peers – the new government is also grappling with the inadvertent release of its first climate change legislation.

A leaked draft of the Albanese government’s proposed climate bill emerged on Thursday, following its distribution to cross bench members.

In many ways, the details of the concise bill are largely as expected – the bill will include a formal commitment to the government’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target for 2030 and for net-zero by 2050, as well as tasking a revitalised Climate Change Authority to advise the government on future targets.

The federal climate minister will also be required to provide regular updates to parliament on Australia’s progress towards its targets, and the policies introduced to cut emissions, but the bill stops short of making any major policy reforms – like the planned overhaul of the Safeguard Mechanism.

The bill is set to be the focus of negotiations with the enlarged parliamentary cross-bench, particularly in the Senate where Labor will likely need to secure support for the bill from the Greens and independents David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie.

The Greens have indicated their willingness to negotiate with Labor around the passage of the climate legislation, but also their intention to seek more ambitious commitments.

“The government should choose co-operation over confrontation,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said. “Let me be clear. The Greens are willing to negotiate on climate. But it seems Labor isn’t.”

“The Greens want to see a stop to new coal and gas projects, as do the Pacific Islanders, the UN, the International Energy Agency and the world’s scientists. Even Labor’s weak climate targets will be blown if they proceed with new gas projects like the Beetaloo Basin, which will lift greenhouse pollution by up to 13 per cent.”

“Labor would do well to understand the recent history of the election, where their vote went backwards, less than a third of the country voted for the government and voters put the Greens in balance of power in the Senate,” Bandt added.

Bowen said the Albanese government was open to “sensible suggestions”, but would not back away from the ‘mandate’ for its policies at the federal election.

“The Government has made it very clear that we are very happy to work with the cross bench on sensible suggestions that are in keeping with our agenda and mandate,” Bowen said.

“We have also made it crystal clear we will not be walking away from that mandate. We look forward to further discussions with the cross bench on that basis.”

The leaked contents of the bill have emerged amongst a flurry of activity on climate change diplomacy by the Albanese government, including the recent Sydney Energy Forum, and early bilateral meetings with representatives from the United States, Japan, India and Indonesia.

Much of this diplomatic effort appears motivated by a desire to make up for time lost under the Coalition government – which for nine years had pushed Australian coal and gas, rather than clean energy technologies, to international trade partners.

For example, on Wednesday, Bowen accompanied Indian renewable energy minister RK Singh on a tour of the University of New South Wales’ solar research facilities – expressing hope that Australia and India may cooperate on solar technologies in the future.

“India and Australia both have incredible potential to be big global players in solar – and it was great to share an Australian research success story with our friends from India,” Bowen said.

“The Albanese Government looks forward to deepening our friendship with India even further and increasing collaboration on clean energy technologies.”

Overseas, prime minister Albanese will also seek endorsement from leaders at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum for Australia’s bid to host a future round of the United Nations climate talks.

The new Labor government will bid to host the COP29 climate talks in Australia – scheduled for late 2024, and has indicated a desire to involve Pacific regional partners in running the conference.

Meanwhile, Bowen – as the climate change minister – has been added to the influential National Security Committee of Cabinet, which is responsible for major national security and foreign affairs decision making.

The elevation of the federal climate minister to the body was welcomed by the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group – a collective of former defence and national security experts and officials – which said it was a timely recognition of the regional threats posed by a warming planet.

“Experts have long warned that climate change threatens global security. Rising temperatures caused by climate change are causing greater food and water insecurity and seeing more severe and frequent extreme weather events, including droughts, floods and fires,” member of the group, Admiral Chris Barrie (Ret), said.

“It is a positive step that the Climate Change Minister will bring a climate perspective to Cabinet’s National Security Committee. The next pressing task is to begin a transparent and comprehensive risk assessment of climate-security threats led by our country’s top experts, inside and outside of government.”