An Australian COP31 should be a ‘People’s COP with community at its core’

Climate Action Week Sydney (CAW.SYD) ended last week with a call to put people and communities at the Centre of COP31 as Australia and the Pacific bid to co-host the global summit. Leaders involved with the cross-sectoral COP31 Collaboration Group (CCG) said work must ensure that COP31 is a ‘People’s COP’ that has inclusivity, First Nations and community engagement at its core.

‘The People’s COP: Taking Local Climate Action to the World through COP31 and Beyond’ event on 14 March was one of 200 during the week that explored solutions for accelerating climate action locally and around the world.

Australia has bid to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in partnership with the Pacific in 2026. The Community Council for Australia is convening the COP31 Collaboration Group (CCG) bringing leaders from across the charities and community, business and finance, academia, climate and environment sectors to support Australia’s bid.

The objective of CCG is to connect people, planet, peace and prosperity into narratives, actions and advocacy that sees the COP31 deliver a just, resilient, low-carbon future. The focus of the group is to put community and a whole-of-society approach at the heart of COP31.

Indigenous and regional communities are being disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. At the same time, they are the local experts who are deeply connected to their environment. Why would we not put their voices at the centre of climate advocacy when they can add so much value and knowledge?

“We will face more frequent, more intense climate-fuelled disasters. We know socially connected communities – rich in local community groups, charities and volunteering – respond and recover better than communities with a dearth of community groups. Yet social connection is barely a blip in our disaster and climate response planning and investment,” David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council of Australia said prior to the event.

Claire O’Rourke, CEO of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) said: “Hosting COP31 in partnership with the Pacific in just 18 months’ time is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia to lead in the new economy in a way that puts people, justice and nature at the centre of outcomes. Philanthropy will be essential to making sure First Nations peoples, youth, regional Australians and those often left out of decision making are not just at the table, but have the power and capacity to create the change they need for their communities.”

Over the past 18 months, CCG has met regularly and met MPs in Canberra several times. CCG members collectively seek to grow, amplify, connect and nurture networks that address and advance four themes: people – learning from First Nations and Pacific peoples and amplifying their leadership voices; Community – identifying stories, needs and opportunities; economy and government advocacy on an equitable transition for prosperity, and environment – achieving climate goals through COP31.

Tishiko King, Caring for Country Grants Manager at Groundswell and a member of CCG, moderated one of the panels during Climate Action Week. She said: “We are in relationship with our land and our kin. We need to have a place-based focus and to look to communities because they have the solutions.”

Philanthropy Australia CEO Maree Sidey is a member of the CCG. She commented: “Philanthropy can catalyse these changes by supporting First Nation’s participation and leadership, embracing and supporting Pacific community voices and climate leadership and supporting community engagement through charities and community groups.”

Learn more about the COP31 Collaboration Group online. The 14 March event was a partnership between Climate Action Week Sydney, Climate Action Network Australia (CANA), the Community Council for Australia, ImpactX, WWF-Australia and communities.

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Session Name: The People’s COP: Taking Local Climate Action to the World through COP31 and Beyond

Panel: Inspiring stories: How can we connect our local experiences and community voices to collective effort at society and global levels?

Panellists L-R: Tui Shortland, Te Kopu – Pacific Indigenous & Local Knowledge Centre of Distinction; Greg Mullins AO AFSM, Former Commissioner Fire & Rescue NSW, and founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action; Professor Anne Poelina, proud citizen of the Nyikina Warrwa Nation, distinguished scholar and advocate for Indigenous knowledge and environmental justice; Isaac Nasedra, youth climate advocate and founder of the Veilomani Project; Tishiko King, Ocean and Torres Strait Islands Advocate (moderator).