Big Petrostate Energy
The United Nations annual climate conference, COP28, is wrapping up, and it’s crunch time. Is there going to be a mention of actually phasing out fossil fuels? Or will we have more of avoiding the issue?
This was recorded on Tuesday 12th December 2023 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Polly Hemming, Director, Climate & Energy program, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Edited by: Emily Perkins
Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
We need political courage, not caution | Polly Hemming
When it comes to solving the biggest national problems, a bit of courage leaves political caution for dead. Now’s not the time for politeness.
Integrity at home shapes global outcomes – Polly Hemming | Climate Integrity Summit 2025
Despite frequent claims that Australia is ‘too small to make a difference,’ historical evidence demonstrates our nation’s outsized role in influencing international norms and policies.
Why a fossil fuel-free COP could put Australia’s bid over the edge
When the medical world hosts a conference on quitting smoking, they don’t invite Phillip Morris, or British American Tobacco along to help “be part of the solution”.


