MPs are examining the prospects for the COP31 climate conference on Monday 26 October, with the Environmental Audit Committee hearing evidence on the partnership under which Türkiye and Australia are jointly hosting this year's summit in Antalya, Türkiye.

What the committee is asking

The committee is due to hear from the Turkish Ambassador and the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom about their countries' priorities for COP31 and how the partnership has worked so far. Climate experts and campaigners are also giving evidence, along with the UK's Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte.

One question hanging over the session is who ultimately takes final decisions at the summit. Australia's Environment Minister said in June that concerns about the partnership were misplaced, while his Turkish counterpart has said Türkiye would have the final say. MPs are expected to press witnesses on how that arrangement works in practice.

Why COP31 matters now

COP summits are where countries negotiate the next steps on cutting emissions, funding climate action in poorer countries and tracking progress against existing pledges. The host partnership is unusual, and how it functions could shape the pace and shape of the negotiations in Antalya.

The hearing is part of Parliament's scrutiny of the UK's climate diplomacy rather than a decision-making session itself. Any UK negotiating position that emerges will be tested again as the summit approaches, and readers should watch for the government's formal statements rather than treating committee evidence as agreed policy.