Australia faces summer of extreme weather, Anthony Albanese warns at pre-Cop

During a visit to Tuvalu and Fiji, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the coming summer could bring flooding, cyclones and severe heat. He linked the risk to climate change and a developing “super El Niño” in the Pacific.

The trip followed an agreement made after Australia missed out on hosting the COP31 climate conference. Turkey will host the summit next month, while Fiji and Tuvalu are holding a preparatory meeting.

At discussions in Tuvalu, leaders called for quicker emissions cuts and more funding to help island countries adapt. Tuvalu student Melelusi Sokotia told the visitors young people worry about whether their island will remain safe.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said governments should accelerate plans to reduce emissions and uphold the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C temperature goal. He also said the previously agreed shift away from fossil fuels should not be reopened.

Tuvalu climate director Jamie Ovia said flooding and storm surges could cause annual damage of US$34m by 2050 and US$63m by 2100, exceeding the country’s GDP. The leaders’ next focus is the COP31 meeting in Turkey.