Anthony Albanese touts climate partnership forged with UK Prime Minister at Commonwealth meeting in Samoa
Anthony Albanese has declared that Australia and the UK are “on the path to net zero” after the leaders struck a new climate deal on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa.
Spruiking the deal from Samoa, Mr Albanese said the agreement with the UK and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would focus on enhancing new green energy industries and the exchange of technology between the nations.
The new Australia–UK Climate and Energy Partnership aims to speed up renewable technologies such as green hydrogen and offshore wind.
“We both are on the path to net zero through the transition and we see that as an opportunity for new industries, new jobs and a new industrialisation of our respective countries,” Mr Albanese said.
“We have a common view about the challenge but also the opportunity that climate change action represents.”
Mr Albanese also met with Simoan PM Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and said those talks had been focused on “galvanising action” on climate change, which threatens island nations in the Pacific.
The PM also announced grants to six companies in each country to turbocharge green hydrogen and the production of green metals in both nations.
Sir Keir — who ended 14 years of turbulent conservative rule in July — said Australia and the UK had a strong “shared history”.
“Our values are aligned as well, particularly as you see when it comes to the challenges out there, the environmental challenge, the climate challenge, which is a challenge and an opportunity,” the Labour leader said.
Mr Albanese’s remarks came hours after King Charles addressed the meeting, warning of the “livelihoods and human rights” at risk due to climate change.
Asked if the King’s speech was too political, Mr Albanese said climate change should be above politics.
“His Majesty is absolutely right about the responsibility we have to future generations,” he said.
“In most parts of the world, with very few exceptions, climate change is above politics.
“It’s about the natural disasters that we were warned would increase in intensity and in frequency, and that is precisely what we are seeing in Australia but in other parts of the world as well.”
Mr Albanese pointed out that one of the earliest voices on the need to address climate change was Conservative former UK PM Margaret Thatcher.
Foreign and defence ministers in Australia and the UK will meet in December to progress the AUKUS agreement, Mr Albanese also revealed.
“That will be the next step in making sure that we continue on that pathway, the optimum pathway for the delivering AUKUS,” he said.
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