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Australia commits $2.2m to COP31 hospitality, including $32,000 for coffee
Australia’s Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen’s department has committed about $2.2 million to hospitality and related services for the COP31 climate talks in Turkey, where he is co-president. The spending has drawn criticism from the opposition amid concerns about the cost of living and scrutiny of the scale and effectiveness of the UN summit.
The contracts include almost $1.3 million for event management, $872,682 for accommodation services and $32,000 for coffee at the Australian Pavilion and Delegation Office. The coffee is intended as a free offering to visitors and an engagement tool. COP31 runs from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, with thousands expected to attend; the UN has acknowledged the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming limit is set to be exceeded.
In short
- Australia’s COP31 hospitality spending totals about $2.2 million.
- A $32,000 contract covers coffee for pavilion visitors.
- The summit faces scrutiny over costs and climate targets.
Climate Environment Geopolitics Government Politics Science World
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Chris Bowen’s $32,000 coffee bill as he splashes an eye-watering amount of taxpayer cash at UN climate talk-fest in Turkey”.