Australia and the United Kingdom announced plans to expand renewable energy cooperation, focusing on green hydrogen and offshore wind, to support both countries' decarbonisation efforts. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the economic potential of the green transition, which they said would create jobs and reinforce industrial bases in both nations, in a joint statement made at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.
Albanese emphasized that the collaboration builds on a “shared commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.” The leaders announced support for six hydrogen innovation projects aimed at industrial decarbonisation. However, no funding specifics were disclosed.
Alongside the climate initiative, both leaders reaffirmed their security commitments through the AUKUS pact, a defense agreement involving Australia, the UK, and the United States, established in 2021. The pact outlines Australia's purchase of up to five nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. in the 2030s, followed by the joint development of a new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS, with the UK.
Starmer highlighted the dual focus on security and sustainability, stating that AUKUS and climate commitments together are delivering “better futures” for both countries. The Commonwealth meeting, attended by King Charles, has spotlighted climate change, with discussions addressing the vulnerabilities of smaller nations, many of which are low-lying islands facing rising sea levels.
