Australia has tightened its ties with the United Kingdom by striking a deal to work on climate change and energy in a joint vow to help slash carbon emissions to net zero levels by 2050.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the pact with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a statement after they held talks in Samoa on Friday morning.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Samoa on Friday.Credit: Pool photo
The agreement, called the Climate and Energy Partnership, is meant to quicken the development of renewable energy, such as green hydrogen and offshore wind, by sharing technologies between the two countries.
The statement was not clear on the practical steps to be taken to put the agreement into practice, saying that the climate and energy ministers in each country would take the plan forward.
But the Australian government announced $7.5 million in grants on Friday morning for projects under a partnership.
The recipients were Rux Energy, HAMR Energy, Hydgene Renewables, Carefreesourcing, Hadean Energy and Australia Sunlight Group.
Australia and the UK signed a statement of intent on critical minerals in April 2023 with the goal of increasing the supply of vital materials for renewable technologies such as batteries.
Albanese and Starmer smiled during a brief conversation before the formal talks began in Apia before the start of a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
Albanese congratulated Starmer on his election victory in July and said the two countries would work together on defence, Ukraine, AUKUS and the Pacific.
