Australia鈥檚 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sought to strengthen security ties with Pacific island nations and counter China鈥檚 growing influence during a trip to the region this week. If he walks away with one lesson, it鈥檚 that Australia鈥檚 climate policy remains a significant sticking point.
The main purpose of Albanese鈥檚 visit was to attend annual leaders鈥 talks known as the . On the way, Albanese stopped in Vanuatu hoping to sign a security agreement 鈥 but he couldn鈥檛 ink the deal.
I am in the Solomon Islands this week to observe the talks. I saw firsthand that Australia clearly has its work cut out in its quest to lead regional security 鈥 and our climate credibility is key.
Pacific countries say unequivocally that climate change 鈥 which is bringing stronger cyclones, coastal inundation and bleached coral reefs 鈥 is their . If Australia鈥檚 geo-strategic jostling is to work, we must show serious commitment to curbing the dangers of a warming planet.
Australia鈥檚 strategy tested in the Solomons
The location of this year鈥檚 talks 鈥 Solomon Islands鈥 capital, Honiara 鈥 is a stark reminder of Australia鈥檚 geopolitical stakes amid rising Chinese influence in the region.
The Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China in 2022, which set alarm bells ringing in Canberra. Penny Wong 鈥 then opposition foreign minister 鈥 the worst failure of Australian foreign policy in the Pacific since World War II.
Since then, the Albanese government has sought to firm up Australia鈥檚 place as security partner for Pacific countries by pursuing bilateral security agreements with island nations. So far, it has completed deals with , and .
On his way to the Solomon Islands, Albanese stopped in Vanuatu hoping to sign a security agreement which to address worsening climate impacts. But that deal was postponed. Members of Vanuatu鈥檚 coalition government were reportedly concerned about wording that could limit infrastructure funding from other countries, including China.
Albanese had more success in Honiara, where he advanced talks with Fiji鈥檚 Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for a .
Working with island nations to tackle climate change has become key to Australian strategy in the region. This week Albanese also joined Pacific leaders to intended to help island communities access international finance to help adapt to climate impacts. Australia has already pledged $100 million for the project, known as the Pacific Resilience Facility.
Australia is bidding to host the COP31 United Nations climate talks in partnership with Pacific countries in 2026. Pacific leaders formally restated support for Australia鈥檚 bid this week.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said an Australia-Pacific COP had broad support from the rest of the world:
We deserve to host COP31, and given the breadth and depth of support, it would be seen as an act of good faith if others would clear the way. We don鈥檛 want to let this major international opportunity slip by us.
Whipps also championed an initiative for the Pacific to become the world鈥檚 .
Pacific Island countries spend on importing fossil fuels for power generation and transport. As the costs of renewable energy and battery storage quickly fall, Pacific countries could save billions of dollars by making the clean energy shift.
Albanese this week appeared to acknowledge regional concerns about climate change, saying taking action was 鈥渢he entry fee, if you like, to credibility in the Pacific鈥.
But the real test is whether Albanese can follow words with meaningful action.
The work starts at home
Albanese鈥檚 Pacific visit comes amid heightened scrutiny of Australia鈥檚 efforts to curb emissions.
The government must set Australia鈥檚 2035 emissions reduction target this month. The latest reports suggest the commitment than Pacific leaders, and many others, would like.
Pacific leaders also expect Albanese to curb fossil fuel production for export. Australia鈥檚 biggest contribution to climate change comes from coal and gas exports, which the climate pollution of Australia鈥檚 entire national economy.
However, in coming days the federal government is expected to off Western Australia, out to 2070. The decision could lock in more than 鈥 equivalent to a decade of Australia鈥檚 annual emissions.
All this comes in the wake of a landmark legal ruling in July this year, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion countries have legal responsibilities for climate harms caused by fossil fuel exports.
Vanuatu led the legal campaign. , Vanuatu鈥檚 climate minister Ralph Regenvanu reiterated that Australia must heed the ruling, saying:
The advisory opinion of the ICJ made it clear that going down the path of fossil fuel production expansion is an internationally wrongful act under international law. The argument Australia has been making that the domestic transition is sufficient under the Paris Agreement is untenable. You鈥檝e got to deal with fossil fuel exports as well.
Albanese may have taken on board some of the Pacific鈥檚 concern about climate 鈥 and made a little progress at this week鈥檚 Pacific Islands Forum. But there is work to do if Australia is to be seen as a credible security partner in the Pacific 鈥 and that work starts at home.
, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response,
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