Vanuatu criticises Australia for extending gas project while making Cop31 bid

Pacific climate ministers have criticised Australia’s decision to extend the North West Gas shelf project. Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Vanuatu’s climate minister has expressed disappointment over Australia’s decision to extend one of the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas projects and said it raises questions over its bid to co-host the Cop31 summit with Pacific nations.

The UN is expected to announce which country will host the major climate summit in the coming weeks, with Australia pushing for the event to be held in Adelaide as part of a “Pacific Cop”.