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Wesley Morgan

Wesley Morgan

The Conversation

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Australia has dropped its bid to host the COP31 climate talks. Here’s what happened – and what’s next

Australia has dropped its bid to host the COP31 climate talks. Here’s what happened – and what’s next

After a three-year push to host the 2026 climate talks with the Pacific, Australia has backed down. The news is disappointing – but there’s a...

20.11.2025 10

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

How Pacific nations plan to go from spending up to 25% of GDP on fossil fuels to running on 100% renewables

How Pacific nations plan to go from spending up to 25% of GDP on fossil fuels to running on 100% renewables

Pacific nations spend billions each year importing fossil fuels for electricity. Now the region’s leaders are aiming for energy independence.

13.11.2025 10

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

As global climate action threatens to stall, can Australia step up at COP30 in Brazil?

As global climate action threatens to stall, can Australia step up at COP30 in Brazil?

Australia will go to the COP30 climate talks with better emissions targets and a desire to boost flagging action.

06.11.2025 5

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

What will it take? The sweeteners Australia could offer Turkey to snatch COP31

Australia and Turkey are locked in a contest to host the global COP31 climate summit. What could Albanese offer Australia’s rival to retire?

01.10.2025 5

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Fossil fuel expansion or Pacific security? Albanese is learning Australia can’t have both

If Australia’s geo-strategic jostling in the Pacific is to work, we must show serious commitment to curbing global warming.

12.09.2025 7

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

World’s highest court issues groundbreaking ruling for climate action. Here’s what it means for Australia

The landmark ruling means Australia must reduce emissions in line with the best science, and regulate the fossil fuel industry to prevent further...

24.07.2025 20

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Australia got off on a technicality for its climate inaction. But there are plenty more judgement days to come

The judge found Australia had not used the best available science to set emissions targets. The finding tightens the screws on Labor as it weighs our...

17.07.2025 20

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

A top court has urged nations to clamp down on fossil fuel production. When will Australia finally start listening?

As Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen tours the Pacific this week, nations’ legal obligations to phase out fossil fuels are becoming...

07.07.2025 10

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Australia is set to be a renewables nation. After Labor’s win, there’s no turning back

Under a Labor government, coal and gas have a fast-declining role to play in Australia’s energy mix – and nuclear has none at all.

08.05.2025 40

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Peter Dutton’s climate policy backslide threatens Australia’s clout in the Pacific – right when we need it most

As China seeks to expand its influence in our region, Pacific leaders have questioned Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s climate action stance.

11.04.2025 10

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Hosting the UN climate summit is far from ‘madness’ – here’s how Australia stands to benefit

06.04.2025 7

Pearls and Irritations

Wesley Morgan

Hosting the UN climate summit is far from ‘madness’ – here’s how Australia stands to benefit

Peter Dutton says co-hosting the 2026 UN climate summit is ‘madness’. But Australia would be mad to miss out on the benefits, including investment...

31.03.2025 8

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Dutton says it would cost too much to host UN climate summit, but pulling out would cost Australia even more

Peter Dutton says co-hosting the 2026 UN climate summit is ‘madness’. But Australia would be mad to miss out on the benefits, including investment...

31.03.2025 4

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Dutton unveils plan to force more gas into Australian market and expand production in major pre-election  pitch

A gas reservation scheme could help to ease supply concerns in Australia, but expanding gas production is a folly.

27.03.2025 3

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

10 reasons why US president-elect Donald Trump can’t derail global climate action

20.01.2025 6

Pearls and Irritations

Wesley Morgan

Trusted partner to the Pacific, or giant fossil fuel exporter? This week, Australia chose the latter

Australia has long tried to be two things at once – a trusted friend to Pacific nations in a bid to reduce China’s influence, and a giant...

05.12.2024 30

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

The Australia-Pacific bid to host UN climate talks in 2026 is in limbo. What now?

Australia and Pacific island nations had hoped to leave this year’s global climate talks in Azerbaijan having won a bid to host the 2026 summit....

25.11.2024 10

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

10 reasons why US president-elect Donald Trump can’t derail global climate action

If you care about saving Earth from catastrophe, you might be feeling a little down about the re-election of Donald Trump as United States...

08.11.2024 4

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

It’s a big deal if Australia and the Pacific are chosen to host UN climate talks. Here’s why

It’s now very likely Australia will be announced as the host of the COP31 global climate talks in 2026 alongside Pacific nations. This would be a...

11.09.2024 20

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan

Which future? Japan’s net zero vision for the region boosts gas and threatens green exports in Australia

Japan has a very clear vision of what the Asia-Pacific’s clean energy future looks like – decarbonisation, but done slowly and with a longer role...

22.08.2024 1

The Conversation

Wesley Morgan