Australia aims to host 2026 UN climate summit

Australia aims to host 2026 UN climate summit

Australia hopes to host the 2026 COP summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Saturday, seeking to overhaul his country's reputation for foot-dragging on climate change.

"It is a good opportunity, I believe, for Australia to show and to host what is a major global event," Albanese said during a visit to Bangkok.

Centre-left Albanese was swept to power this year on a wave of popular anger about the pro-fossil fuel stance of Australia's decade-old conservative government.

He has since introduced a 2050 net zero emissions target -- not ambitious by world standards, but a near-revolution for Australia, one of the world's largest gas and coal producers.

He has also vowed to co-host a COP summit with Pacific Island allies -- who are under serious threat from rising sea levels and who have long criticised Australia's climate change scepticism.

Albanese may have hoped to host the event before he faces reelection in 2025, but diplomatic horse-trading means 2026 is now more likely.

The United Arab Emirates is slated to host the talks in 2023, a European country is hoping for the 2024 event and Brazil is bidding for the 2025 talks, leaving 2026 as the most likely option for Australia.

"I've had a very positive response from all