Sign our open letter urging Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, to put women and gender-diverse leaders at the centre of Australia’s climate leadership — at COP31 and here at home.
It has now been confirmed that Türkiye will be the host nation and COP President of COP31 in November 2026, with Australia serving as the President of Negotiations.
This means Australia will play a leadership role in the lead-up to and at COP31, helping to advance critical areas of work — including just transitions, fossil fuel phase-out, and climate finance — to drive real outcomes for those most impacted by climate change. Public pressure is essential to ensure this influence is used well.
Across the globe, women, girls and gender-diverse people — especially Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific communities — are leading climate solutions. They are also among the hardest hit by climate impacts, yet remain sidelined in the rooms where decisions are made.
COP31 must be different. Australia must show leadership internationally and at home.
What we’re calling for
To ensure COP31 delivers for people and planet, we are urging the Australian Government to:
- Deliver strong domestic climate action that phases out fossil fuels, strengthens just transitions and keeps 1.5°C in reach.
- Fully implement the new Gender Action Plan domestically, ensuring all climate policies and investments are gender-responsive.
- Champion gender-responsive climate action at COP31, driving ambition on just transitions, climate finance and adaptation.
- Ensure First Nations and Pacific women’s leadership shapes Australia’s positions, with meaningful consultation and shared decision-making.
- Resource efforts to close gender finance gaps in climate action, and support frontline, community-led climate leadership.
Add your name to the open letter below by midnight Sunday 14th December.
Your voice will help ensure gender equality and First Nations and Pacific communities are not an afterthought, but a cornerstone of climate action globally and here in Australia.
Add your name
Join the WELA community in signing this open letter to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, calling for climate leadership that puts women at the heart of climate negotiations and action.
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Share your support
Help us amplify this call by sharing it with your networks. Download the letter or share our social media posts to show your support and encourage others to sign on.
- Download the PDF Letter
- Share WELA’s posts on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to spread the word.