What if COP shifted the climate battle from global targets to consumer benefits?

I wrote an opinion piece for The Energy proposing a consumer pivot as part ofAustralia’s bid for COP31.

If Australia wins its bid to jointly host the UN climate talks next year with Pacific nations, it will put this country in the climate spotlight as never before. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not yet engaged sufficiently with the process or outlined Australia’s international climate leadership vision.

Australia has done both great and terrible things for the climate. It faces dire threats and could yet seize unprecedented opportunities in green exports. It is making progress in the energy transition and leads the solar rooftop revolution. It is a fossil fuel export giant. It is the biggest island in the biggest ocean, whose peoples are already suffering from global heating. It is loyal to America, even as US President Donald Trump destabilises global order, attacks science and subsidises pollution.