According to Premier Peter Malinauskas, South Australia is ”already a world leader in renewable energy and decarbonisation, and hosting COP31 would firmly put our state on the global map”. Photo: Facebook.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced that South Australia has made a formal bid to host the COP31 climate change conference in November 2026.
Every year, the Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together representatives of 197 nations to a different location that will host the supreme climate change decision-making body of the United Nations.
According to the SA Government’s estimates, hosting one of the world’s largest annual events will bring more than 30,000 people and $511.6 million into the state. The Premier said it would also provide an “incredible opportunity to market our state to investors across the world”.
“We are a state which recognises the challenge of climate change, but we haven’t waited for others to lead, we have chosen to take world-leading action,” he said. “This makes us the natural and logical choice to host COP31 in 2026.”
After becoming aware of the Commonwealth’s pursuit of the hosting rights to the event, the SA Government decided to make its own bid to Canberra for it to be held in Adelaide.
The state commissioned a feasibility analysis that confirmed its capital on the Bight would have the capacity and capability to host COP31. Since then, the government claims to have undertaken more in-depth analysis to support preliminary planning for the event.
If the bid succeeds, the event is expected to be held in the Adelaide Convention Centre and the wider precinct, ensuring enough space for the necessary secure zone and accompanying public event area.
Detailed assessments have also been undertaken regarding the security of the host venues, accommodation, and transport services. Photo: SA Government.
Last year, the SA Business Chamber (formerly Business SA) proposed the government undertake a feasibility study on hosting COP. Its chief executive Andrew Kay said at the time that “our leadership in renewables and track record in running flagship global events sees us well placed to make a compelling bid”.
South Australia was the first Australian state to declare a climate emergency, is home to the original world’s largest battery (built by Tesla), and is building the world’s biggest hydrogen electrolyser and power station. The state also derives 75 per cent of its energy from renewable sources and has a target of net 100 per cent by 2027.
The Labor Government pledged to make a bid ahead of the 2022 federal election, noting Sydney as a likely option.
Australia is believed to have stronger odds of hosting COP31 than its rival bidder Turkiye (formerly Turkey), with the UN expected to hand down its decision in November.
While Azerbaijan is set to host the event this year, with Brazil following in 2025, there’s a strong alliance of nations hoping to bring it here for 2026 with a group of Pacific states as co-hosts.
The supportive coalition includes the US, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and some western European countries.
Clean Energy Investor Group chief executive Richie Merzian is among those who believe Australia and the Pacific will win out.
“Australia has the greatest support and most people want it in this corner of the world,” he said.
“However, it will require serious horse-trading to succeed and it will require diplomatic capital being spent to move Turkiye out of the way.”
