In the lead-up to the talks Australia announced it would join a US-led initiative to reduce methane emissions, and joined an international effort to reduce deforestation. Bowen said it was likely Australia would announce its participation in further climate agreements this week as part of a process of rejoining global efforts on climate change.

He said he would use the talks to champion Australia’s role as a future exporter of renewable energy, and as an honest broker in climate talks.

Despite global turmoil and the energy crisis, Bowen said some recent international power shifts had improved the outlook for the COP process.

He said some participants were relieved by the surprisingly strong performance of the Biden administration – which backs climate action – at midterm elections; and changes of government in Brazil and Australia.

“It means that there’s two relatively large players [in climate diplomacy] who were in the way of progress last time, now trying to find ways to facilitate
progress.