G'day COP31
G'day COP31 is a podcast for those who want to know more about the ‘COP31’ (almost) being hosted in Australia in 2026.
Your hosts are Heidi Dumesich and Jack Whelan.
Jack is a boomer and started his career in sustainability before it was concerned 'cool'. His experience stretches from the earliest COPs - across business and industry, government, development agencies, NGOs, and the UN. He worked with the International Chamber of Commerce and World Business Council on Sustainable Development, in the AsiaPac region with the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility and the major donor agencies like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nominated him to the design team which established the IRIS initiative to promote climate and disaster resilient infrastructure in the Small Island Developing States..
Heidi Dumesich is a millennial with a degree in Environmental Science focusing on implementing practical solutions. Heidi is the seasoned podcaster with her sustainability focused podcast called Life on Planet A. She is currently working as a Sustainability Manager at Ventia, leading a road project’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council rating.
The aim of this podcast is to dive into the ins and outs of what really happens at a COP — from all of the different stakeholders and planning to the politics, people, and purpose behind it all. Through candid conversations with stakeholders across government, industry, civil society, and community groups, we unpack how everyone is impacted, involved, and inspired by climate diplomacy at this scale.
Whether you're a policymaker, business leader, activist, or just COP-curious, this is your space to learn how to get the most out of any COP — wherever it’s held.
Tune in, get engaged, and say G’day COP !.
G'day COP31
Episode ‘A’ for Adelaide: G'day COP31
G'day everybody! Welcome to the first episode of G'day COP31.
Meet your hosts: Heidi (Millennial, podcast pro) and Jack (Baby Boomer, podcast newbie) — a cross-generational duo diving into what it really means for (if) Australia to host COP31.
We’re not lobbyists, and we don't align with a particular interest group or political party. We’re here to demystify the COP process, unpack Australia’s bid to host, and shine a light on the voices that matter — especially from the Pacific region, which is central to Australia’s proposed partnership for COP31.
In this launch episode, we assume Australia succeeds in its bid (announcement expected soon), and we’re here to help everyday Australians and regional stakeholders understand:
- What COP actually is
- How to get involved
- Why it matters—especially for Heidi’s generation
No spin. No sponsors (yet). Just open, honest conversations about how you can engage, why it matters, and what COP31 could mean for Australia — and the planet.
Some links that can help you follow along with the COP process:
Here is the official UNFCCC link for the June UN Climate Meetings (SB62): https://unfccc.int/sb62
The schedule of events for the SB62 meetings is continuously updated, and will indicate which sessions are available for public webcast. See in particular, the Presidency-led consultation event with Parties on the Baku to Belém Roadmap, at 14h00 on 16 June. This could be when Australia or Turkey is announced as the host of COP31: https://unfccc.int/sb62/schedule?type=All
Social media access to SB62 in Bonn: https://unfccc.int/sb62/ifp#Social-media-and-photos
Article on 'What to Expect at the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025: https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/what-to-expect-bonn-climate-change-conference-2025
Earth Negotiations Bulletin (go to for every detail at COP): https://enb.iisd.org/about/earth-negotiations-bulletin