Australia and Türkiye are facing pressure to set clear coal phase-out dates after a new report linked their bilateral coal trade to more than 75 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions since the Paris Agreement.
The report by 350.org, released ahead of the Pre-COP31 ministerial meeting in Fiji, says the two countries leading the 2026 UN climate negotiations remain deeply tied to fossil fuels while calling for global action on climate change.
The analysis of UN Comtrade data found that Australia and Türkiye have maintained their coal trade while expanding fossil fuel links into liquefied natural gas (LNG).
350.org said the fossil fuel interests of the two COP31 presidencies risk undermining efforts to secure progress on the transition away from coal, oil and gas.
It said neither country has a coal phase-out date, placing Australia and Türkiye among the few industrialised countries without a timetable to end coal use.
The report estimates emissions from their coal trade at roughly four times Ethiopia’s annual CO₂ emissions. Ethiopia is scheduled to host COP32 in 2027.
Australia is the world’s second-largest coal exporter and accounts for 56 percent of the global coal mine project pipeline, according to the report. It also recorded a 77 percent increase in oil and gas output since 2015, the highest growth rate among the world’s 15 largest oil and gas producers.
Türkiye, meanwhile, is Europe’s largest coal-power generator, while its energy plan envisages about 30 percent more coal and gas power capacity by 2035.
Andreas Sieber, 350.org Head of Political Strategy, said the COP31 presidencies were failing to address what he described as the central cause of climate breakdown and volatile energy prices.
“As people are hit by soaring oil prices and horrible climate impacts, the presidencies of COP31 keep ignoring the core problem, fossil fuels,” Sieber said.
He called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to announce coal phase-out dates and provide a clear indication that COP31 would address dependence on fossil fuels.
350.org Pacific and Caribbean Manager Fenton Lutunatabua said Australia’s leadership of COP31 carried particular responsibility because Pacific countries supported its bid to host the climate summit.
“Australia’s COP31 presidency bid relied heavily on support from Pacific nations,” Lutunatabua said.
“But to protect its coal and gas exports, Australia has consistently blocked calls for a Pacific-wide fossil fuel phase out.”
He said the Pacific had been clear that there was no room for coal and gas expansion and urged Australia to announce a clear coal phase-out timeline.
The report also points to Australia’s recent extension of the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Saraji coal mine, while Türkiye has proposed adding 1,050 megawatts of coal capacity at the CENAL power plant in Karabiga, Çanakkale.
350.org Türkiye Manager Efe Baysal said Türkiye needed to demonstrate that climate leadership begins at home.
“Türkiye still generates more coal power than any other country in Europe, with no phase-out date in sight,” Baysal said.
He said growth in wind and solar showed Türkiye could strengthen energy security while reducing exposure to fossil fuel price shocks.
350.org is calling on both COP31 presidencies to develop national plans to transition away from fossil fuels, including clear coal phase-out dates.
It is also urging governments to develop equitable transition roadmaps, strengthen implementation of existing fossil fuel commitments and provide adequate, grant-based climate finance to countries least responsible for the climate crisis.
