Episode intro / context:

COP31 will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026 — but the Pacific is at the centre of it all. While Türkiye handles the logistics and operations of the conference, Australia will lead the negotiations. And crucially, the Pre-COP will be hosted right here in Fiji, supported by the Government of Australia. For us at Bula COP31, this is exactly what we've been advocating for: an unprecedented opportunity to bring the world to the Pacific, to witness climate impacts and solutions firsthand.

Episode description:

In this collaborative, cross-continental episode, we're joined by James and Daisy — hosts of Fossil Versus Future— for an intergenerational conversation about the COP process. Jack and Heidi sit down with James, who takes the hot seat to share what he's witnessed on the ground at previous COPs. How can the COP presidency shape outcomes? How does geopolitics drive climate diplomacy? And is it time for the process itself to be reformed?

Recommendations:

•  Want to go deeper on the co-hosting arrangement between Australia and Türkiye? That's exactly what we unpack on Bula COP31 — give us a listen.

Advocates & Resources:

• Türkiye holds the formal COP31 Presidency, managing all operational and logistical requirements, with the conference and World Leaders Summit physically taking place in Antalya. But Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, will serve as President of Negotiations — a role with exclusive authority over the agenda, draft texts, and appointment of co-facilitators. This creative arrangement was designed to break a diplomatic deadlock that would otherwise have sent the conference to Bonn, Germany, and left the world without focused negotiation leadership for a year.
• An intergovernmental organisation giving voice to small island nations on the issues that threaten their very existence.
• BINGO (Business and Industry Non-Governmental Organizations) — the formal constituency representing business and industry observers within the UNFCCC process.
• Originally founded in 1971 as the South Pacific Forum, the Pacific Islands Forum is an 18-member intergovernmental body that unites the region to tackle its most pressing challenges — including the climate crisis.
• The Carbon War by Jeremy Leggett — A firsthand account of the climate negotiations and the relentless efforts of fossil fuel interests — the so-called "carbon club" — to derail them. Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the politics behind the process.
• The precautionary principle: the idea that when harm is plausible, we act — even before the science is complete. A principle the Pacific has long called on the world to apply.
• (2017) — Just weeks before hosting COP23, Fiji made history by issuing a sovereign green bond, raising FJD 100m (USD 50m) to fund climate mitigation and adaptation. Pacific leadership in action.
• (2018) — Talanoa is a Pacific tradition: inclusive, participatory, transparent dialogue. When Fiji held the COP23 Presidency, it brought Talanoa to the world stage — launching the Talanoa Dialogue to invite everyone into the conversation about climate solutions. That spirit lives on in everything we do at Bula COP31.

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Most of us feel powerless in the face of climate change—and yet, change is happening right now, driven by everyday citizens and global leaders alike. 

What if your voice could shape international negotiations? And how is Australia’s unique dual-presidency at COP 31 positioned to prioritize the vulnerable Pacific Islands?

In this episode, Heidi and Jack take you inside Climate Action Week Sydney, a massive week of advocacy, policy, and community-led initiatives that influence the biggest climate negotiations on the planet. 

Discover how local events and grassroots activism are directly impacting global climate policies, with behind-the-scenes insights from key leaders like Minister Chris Bowen and grassroots innovators like Mary Jack from Vanuatu.

We break down how the Pacific's is shaping COP 31, the significance of the upcoming Fiji pre-COP, and hear from climate advocates amplifying Indigenous and women-led voices. You'll learn about the critical role that community input plays in forming official negotiation positions and why this moment is more important than ever for those who want to make a difference.

Voxies from:

- Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

- Eezu Tan, Founder of Climate Writers

- Dr. Amba-Rose Atkinson, Indigenous Researcher

-Mary Jack, Founder of  Mitingar Women and Girls Association

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This is part 2 of our episode with Kenta Sayama, the Climate and Environment specialist in UNICEF Vanuatu.

In Part 2, we shift the conversation to how young people can turn passion into action through UNICEF. We explore the pathways available for youth to engage — from joining national youth advisory groups and participating in advocacy campaigns, to contributing to community programs that shape policy outcomes for children and young people on the frontlines of climate change.

Why does this matter? Because youth aren’t just future leaders — they are shaping solutions today. Understanding how to plug into established institutions like UNICEF opens doors for impact, amplifies grassroots voices, and strengthens collective action across borders. Without this engagement, critical perspectives from young people — particularly in climate-vulnerable regions — risk being overlooked.

Links and resources:

• Get involved with PICAN and VCAN
• UNICEF - Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue 
• Background information on the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  advisory opinion on climate justice 
• Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP)

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In this episode, Bula COP31 has a special guest all the way from Vanuatu, Kenta Sayama, the Climate and Environment specialist in UNICEF Vanuatu.

Kenta shares his inspiring personal journey from Japan to the Pacific, revealing how international experiences in Brazil, the UK, and Japan have shaped his innovative approach to climate advocacy. He dives into the unique challenges small island nations face — from rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion to the cultural and mental health impacts of climate change — and explains how new financial mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund and Green Climate Fund are opening doors for vulnerable countries. You'll learn about real projects like Vanuatu’s Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP) and the Pacific Resilience Facility, which are helping communities build real resilience against climate impacts.

We break down the most effective strategies for youth engagement, from grassroots networks like Vanuatu Climate Action Network (VCAN) and Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) to navigating the daunting logistics of remote island participation. Kenta emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding, contextual solutions, and ensuring youth voices lead climate negotiations, not just attend as token figures. He highlights the historic influence of Vanuatu's Pacific youth in global judicial actions like the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  advisory opinion on climate justice — a groundbreaking moment in international law that affirms our collective responsibility to act.

Why does this matter? Because the future of climate resilience hinges on local-level action, global solidarity, and inclusive leadership. Missing out on this vital insight risks perpetuating a cycle where small island voices are drowned out, and effective climate solutions remain out of reach. This episode is an essential listen for policymakers, activists, young leaders, and anyone invested in climate justice — because real change starts by amplifying the voices that are most at risk.

Prepare to be inspired, informed, and motivated to make a difference. Whether you’re a Pacific youth seeking guidance, a global citizen passionate about climate justice, or a supporter of empowering local action, this conversation reveals the bold steps needed to turn hope into tangible impact. 

Tune in now — your role in shaping a resilient Pacific starts here.

Links and resources:

• Get involved with PICAN and VCAN
• UNICEF - Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue 
• Background information on the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  advisory opinion on climate justice 
• Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project (VCAP)

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In this episode, Heidi and Jack discuss the outcomes of COP30 and of the COP31 hosting bib negotiations, reflecting on Australia's role in the negotiations and the implications for the Pacific Islands. They delve into the contentious issue of fossil fuels, the significance of unilateral trade measures like carbon border adjustments, and the importance of consumer responsibility in addressing climate change. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration and innovative solutions moving forward, particularly in the context of the Pacific region.

Time Stamps:

3:19 Thoughts on COP31 hosting bid outcome

8:50 Fossil Fuel Roadmap

18:44 Unilateral Trade Mechanism Debate

Keywords

COP 30, climate change, Australia, fossil fuels, negotiations, Pacific Islands, trade measures, carbon emissions, consumer responsibility, climate finance

Sources mentioned in the podcast:

Trump trade wars keep Labor's carbon tariff on ice

Colombia Press Conference - Declaration Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels at COP30

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In this episode ‘I’ for Ipswich, on G’day COP31! (or will it be renamed ‘I’ for Istanbul?) we are joined by Mara Bún from the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, refreshed after a rest day at the start of the second week of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Among all the important issues being addressed is the BIG question that hangs in the balance - the choice of Türkiye or Australia as the host country for COP31 in 2026? Mara Bún navigates us through the labyrinth in the COP, sharing her insights and personal encounters from the heart of the Blue (Bluey?) and Green Zones in crowded, hot, steamy Belém.

Mara helped to set up an extraordinary impromptu press conference, right at the nexus between the Turkish and Australian pavilions, when representatives of Australian First Nations, businesses, civil society, youth and investors expressed their support for the Adelaide COP31 bid. With a steady hand holding the camera, Mara posted on Linked In “Cometh the hour, cometh the people” - which resulted in the story being covered in the Australian Financial Review, Bloomberg, Carbon Pulse, CNBC Brazil, Politico, AP and Reneweconomy - https://lnkd.in/gSc8HvBU

Richie Merzian, head of the Clean Energy Investor Group – moderated the line up of speakers from Australia, including Professor Anne Poelina, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Tennant Reed and we include some edited highlights – so listen to the end of the episode! You can listen to the full press conference here.  

Thanks Mara for the chat on Episode ‘I’ for Ipswich – from Belém on G’day COP31!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
04:40 COP31 update
14:04 Inside COP30
19:48 Unilateral trade measures debate
25:24 Press conference about COP31

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In this episode ‘I’ for Ipswich “In The Rear View” - on G’day COP31! (or will it be renamed ‘I’ for Istanbul?) we are joined by Mara Bún from the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, refreshed after a rest day at the start of the second week of COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Among all the important issues being addressed is the BIG question that hangs in the balance - the choice of Türkiye or Australia as the host country for COP31 in 2026? Mara Bún navigates us through the labyrinth in the COP, sharing her insights and personal encounters from the heart of the Blue (Bluey?) and Green Zones in crowded, hot, steamy Belém.

Mara helped to set up an extraordinary impromptu press conference, right at the nexus between the Turkish and Australian pavilions, when representatives of Australian First Nations, businesses, civil society, youth and investors expressed their support for the Adelaide COP31 bid. With a steady hand holding the camera, Mara posted on Linked In “Cometh the hour, cometh the people” - which resulted in the story being covered in the Australian Financial Review, Bloomberg, Carbon Pulse, CNBC Brazil, Politico, AP and Reneweconomy - https://lnkd.in/gSc8HvBU

Richie Merzian, head of the Clean Energy Investor Group – moderated the line up of speakers from Australia, including Professor Anne Poelina, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Tennant Reed and we include some edited highlights – so listen to the end of the episode! You can listen to the full press conference here.  

Thanks Mara for the chat on Episode ‘I’ for Ipswich – In the Rear View – on G’day COP31!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
04:40 COP31 update
14:04 Inside COP30
19:48 Unilateral trade measures debate
27:18 Press conference about COP31

https://www.instagram.com/gday_cop31/

In this episode, we chat with Tegan Clark, a PhD candidate at ANU and research assistant at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, about her journey from growing up in Cairns to becoming a leading youth voice in climate action.

Tegan shares how her connection with nature shaped her decision to get involved in climate activism. She talks about her experience at COP29 with Plan International Australia’s Youth Activist Series, the importance of interdisciplinary science, and her work advocating for stronger youth engagement in global climate negotiations.

We also discuss Tegan’s submission to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for COP31, which focuses on breaking down barriers to youth participation, and the role of initiatives like the Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue in empowering young climate leaders. Tune in to hear Tegan’s vision for a COP where young people’s voices are not just present — they’re truly heard and valued.

Links:

The Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue

COP31: A COP for Children and Young People

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tegan Clark
03:39 Journey to Climate Activism
07:27 Experiences at COP29
11:17 Fossil fuel companies at COPs
13:04 Submission for COP31: A COP for Children and Young People
16:16 Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
19:10 Learning from Pacific Youth and First Nations Perspectives
20:19 Training Programs for Youth Engagement
23:15 Confidence for Youth at COPs
25:30 Overcoming Challenges in Diverse Backgrounds

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Join Jack and Heidi as they take you behind the scenes at the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) Summit 2025 in Sydney. G’day COP31 was invited to the two-day event to uncover where the investment community sees capital flowing in climate-related opportunities — and how policy and COP31 can act as catalysts for scaling up climate investment.

The IGCC Summit is where Australia’s leading investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts come together to unpack a wave of climate-related announcements shaping risk, returns, and fiduciary responsibility. With Australia facing one of the fastest-evolving climate policy environments in the world — and trillions in retirement savings at stake — the summit focuses on turning today’s climate challenges into tomorrow’s investment opportunities.

In this episode, you’ll hear exclusive recordings from keynote and panel sessions featuring:

• Al Gore, Founding Partner and Chairman, Generation Investment Management
• Deidre Willmott, Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs, Fortescue
• Michael Bartlett, Acting Branch Head, DCCEEW
• Kate Donnelly, Impact and Unlisted Investment Manager, Future Group
• Richie Merzian, CEO Clean Energy Investor Group
• And finally, we wrap up with closing insights from Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO of IGCC.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Jack's feelings

3:17 - Introduction to IGCC and the importance of it

7:37 - Al Gore

10:49 - Deidre Willmot and Michael Bartlett

13:40 - Kate Donnelly

15:08 - Richie Merzian

17:44 - Rebecca Mikula-Wright

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Join Jack and Heidi as they take you behind the scenes at the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) Summit 2025 in Sydney. G’day COP31 was invited to the two-day event to uncover where the investment community sees capital flowing in climate-related opportunities — and how policy and COP31 can act as catalysts for scaling up climate investment.

The IGCC Summit is where Australia’s leading investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts come together to unpack a wave of climate-related announcements shaping risk, returns, and fiduciary responsibility. With Australia facing one of the fastest-evolving climate policy environments in the world — and trillions in retirement savings at stake — the summit focuses on turning today’s climate challenges into tomorrow’s investment opportunities.

In this episode, you’ll hear exclusive recordings from keynote and panel sessions featuring:

• Al Gore, Founding Partner and Chairman, Generation Investment Management
• Deidre Willmot, and Michael Bartlett, Acting Branch Head, DCCEEW
• Kate Donnelly, Impact and Unlisted Investment Manager, Future Group
• Richie Merzian, CEO Clean Energy Investor Group
• And finally, we wrap up with closing insights from Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO of IGCC.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction and Jack's feelings

3:17 - Introduction to IGCC and the importance of it

7:37 - Al Gore

10:49 - Deidre Willmot and Michael Bartlett

13:40 - Kate Donnelly

15:08 - Richie Merzian

17:44 - Rebecca Mikula-Wrigh

https://www.instagram.com/gday_cop31/