Bula COP31!

Tess Newton-Cain joins Heidi and Jack on the podcast to discuss the outcomes of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the pressing climate challenges facing the region. The podcast unpacks the discussions held at this pivotal event, and the shifts to the upcoming UN Conference of the Parties COP31 and the significant role the Pacific plays in the global climate narrative. One of the main highlights...

Shipping produces around 3% of global emissions, yet almost everything we buy has travelled by sea at some point. In Episode U, Heidi and Jack are joined by Jenny Ruffell Smith, Senior Project Manager at the Global Maritime Forum , to unpack one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Jenny has spent almost two decades in shipping and logistics. She explains why there's no silver-bullet fuel,...

This episode, we're joined by John Duncan, Global Initiative Lead for WWF's No Plastics in Nature program, to unpack the Global Plastics Treaty — often called the most significant environmental agreement since Paris.  John breaks down why voluntary corporate action hasn't moved the needle, how a 330+ company business coalition is pushing governments for binding rules, and why extend...

Jon Jutsen returns to Bula COP31 to unpack the messier middle of the energy transition: where biofuels and biogas still have a role in hard-to-abate sectors like mining, farming and remote transport, and whether Australia's electricity grid is actually ready for the wave of EVs and heat pumps about to hit it. Jutsen makes the case that biodiesel is a short-term bridge at best, that biogas is...

Can Australia hit net zero without a clear plan to get there? In this episode of Bula COP31 , we sit down with energy transition expert Jonathan Jutsen to unpack what it will really take to electrify Australia's economy by 2035. Jon has spent decades working at the intersection of energy policy and business, and he doesn't pull punches: Australia's energy transition remains deeply p...

Heidi continues her conversation with Selen İnal, founder of the COP31 Türkiye Brief, picking up where they left off at the Zero Waste Forum. This episode dives into the climate issue hiding in plain sight — waste. Selen breaks down why methane from poorly managed organic waste is one of the most dangerous and underrated climate threats, and unpacks the circular economy challenge: which plastics c...

Recorded right after Australia's surprise 2-0 World Cup win over Türkiye, Heidi sat down with Selen İnal — founder and editor of the COP31 Türkiye Brief (cop31tr.com) — for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from waste and electrification to women in climate leadership and what makes Turkish coffee so special. Selen is a Turkish engineer, entrepreneur and climate communicator...

With COP31 just six months away, Heidi brings Jack — and all of us — up to speed on the rapidly shifting climate diplomacy landscape. From Istanbul to Bonn, Palau to Queensland, this episode maps the crowded pre-COP calendar and asks what it all adds up to. COP31 host Turkey is ramping up its diplomatic presence: COP President Murat Kurum is in constant motion — most recently at the Copenhagen Cli...

This episode is part two of our collaboration with Fossil vs Future—we recommend listening to part one first. As the world looks ahead to COP31 this November, hosted by Türkiye with Australia leading the negotiations, this episode brings together voices from across continents and generations. Jack and Heidi are joined by James Cameron and Daisy Nicholls (hosts of Fossil Versus Future ) for a timel...

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&apos...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 A...

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 invest...

Keywords COP31, climate change, Turkey, Australia, carbon trading, climate finance, Pacific Islands, virtual engagement, adaptation, negotiations Summary In this episode of G'day COP31, hosts Heidi Dumesich and Jack Whelan discuss the current status of Australia's bid to host COP31, the implications of Turkey's involvement, and the challenges faced in organizing the event. They expl...

G'day everybody! In this episode, we sit down with Afonso, a sustainability innovator, entrepreneur, and community builder who’s shaping how organisations and people respond to the climate challenge. As the founder of NetNada , a sustainability reporting and carbon accounting software company, Afonso has helped Australian and global organisations meet climate-related disclosure requirements u...

 In this episode, Diksha Duggal reflects on her path into the YOUNGO constituency and explores the critical role of youth in climate negotiations. She discusses the push for greater inclusivity, YOUNGO’s preparations for COP 30 and COP 31, and the importance of grassroots movements in shaping climate policy.   Takeaways Diksha's journey into the Youngo constituency began with her passion for...

In this Episode ‘C for Canberra’ of G'day COP31!, Heidi and Jack explore recent calls by various civil society groups for reforms in the UNFCCC process - to address concerns about inclusivity, observer engagement, representation and participation. Some want so-called ‘vested interests’ to be limited or even excluded. The conversation focuses on efforts to involve diverse stakeholders in the c...

In this episode of G'day COP31 , we say a warm hello to  Michael Kelly from the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) – the global voice for LPG producers like butane and propane. Michael gives us the lowdown on what WLGA does and why it shows up at COPs (spoiler: it’s not just about lobbying). We dig into how LPG plays a role in clean cooking, off-grid power, and energy access in the developin...

G'day everybody! Welcome to the first episode of G'day COP31. Meet your hosts: Heidi (Millennial, podcast pro) and Jack (Baby Boomer, podcast newbie) — a cross-generational duo diving into what it really means for (if) Australia to host COP31 .  We’re not lobbyists, and we don't align with a particular interest group or political party. We’re here to demystify the COP process , unpa...