Australia has been urged to salvage something from the wreckage of its campaign to host the UN's annual climate summit in 2026, and progress climate action over the next year.
Three years of campaigning to bring the COP31 climate talks to Adelaide were dashed on Thursday in last-gasp negotiations at the 2025 event in Brazil.
Australia looked a likely winner, given the strong backing of most of the "Western" grouping that would decide hosting rights, and a pledge to stage the event with the climate-threatened Pacific.
But Turkey effectively pledged to veto Australia's bid, prompting a compromise deal.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, Australia's representative at the COP talks, said an in-principle deal would see the summit held in Antalya, and a role of presiding over negotiations handed to Australia, which he would hold.
The result is a diplomatic disaster for Anthony Albanese's government, which has spent great energy and, most likely, tens of millions of dollars campaigning for the event.
Mr Albanese insisted otherwise, calling the compromise a "big win" for Australia.
"We will be the negotiator on climate policy globally over the next year and during the conference. That is a very worthwhile investment," he told ABC Radio.
"Had we not put in bid for the COP, that certainly wouldn't have occurred, and that will enable us to prioritise the issues that are confronting the Pacific, the very existence of countries like Tuvalu and Kiribati."
Mr Albanese had appeared to see the writing on the wall earlier in the week, briefing South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas on the possible compromise outcome, and declaring he would not veto a Turkish bid.
In contrast, Mr Bowen had arrived in Belem in high spirits, rallying Australians that "we are in it to win it to the end, that's Australia's position".
He said the compromise deal would retain a Pacific involvement through a lead-up event in the region which will act as a pledging opportunity for a regional climate financing fund.
"Obviously, it would be great if Australia could have it all. But we can't have it all," he said.
The decision comes at a time of renewed focus on Australian energy and climate policy, given the Sussan Ley-led opposition's call to walk away from net zero.
Critics of the bid, including Ms Ley, baulked at staging the summit, which had been estimated to cost at least hundreds of millions of dollars.
"Turkey is doing the Australian government a big favour," she told the ABC on Thursday.
"We had a $12 billion deficit last year. We're heading to a $42 billion deficit this coming year and, meanwhile, this prime minister wants to spend $2 billion on hosting a talkfest here in this country?"
Mr Albanese said only "a small amount" had been spent on the bid by the federal government, and South Australia, on campaigning and preparations.
"The amount that has been (spent) has been promoting Adelaide, of course, to the world, and it's been engaging with our priority about climate policy," he said.
Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes said despite "giving in" to Turkey "holding the COP hostage", opportunities remained for Australia.
One would be decoupling the world's largest green trade fair, held alongside the summit, and staging it in Adelaide for the "massive economic opportunity" it offered.
Oxfam Australia spokesman Rod Goodbun said the world would now be seeking leadership from Australia.
"While not hosting COP31 in Australia is disappointing, it does not change what is required: stronger domestic climate ambition, increased support for First and Pacific peoples and low-income countries, and accountability for major polluters," he said.
