The United Nation’s Climate Change summit has banned coal-supporting countries from speaking. Countries that fit the description include Australia, Japan and South Africa, as their speeches would be “hot air” as they do not “walk the talk”.

Countries that are climate sceptical, ranging from flat out denial to saying it is a ‘Chinese Hoax’ have also been banned from speaking; The United States, Brazil and Saudi Arabia (who’d have thought).

Speaking of Saudi Arabia, that explains why they were elected to the UN Women’s Rights Commission – that amazing track record on women’s rights needed to be applauded.

Next thing you’ll see a Chinese delegation lead the council on the right to protest or a British one on the virtues of direct democracy.

The idea of the ban is for said countries to ‘sit and listen’ to the rest of the speakers – although that could be seen as alienating. What’s more, banning countries of this size with a bad track record on climate change is a bit like putting your hands over your ears to stop the fire alarm from ringing. The fire is still there – it will still get toasty.

Australia, in particular, has been the target of significant scrutiny from the UN. Makes sense, as they are the largest exporters of coal, and their emissions have been on the rise every year despite green promises.

What’s more, the UN probably gave up on countries whose leader thinks you can bomb a storm or murder anyone who likes to talk back, so that just left Australia.

But, despite Australia’s gloomy track record on climate, thousands of Greta-sized protesters join the Friday’s for future protests. What’s more, Australian Universities and the Australian Council of Trade Unions said they support people joining climate strikes.

Perhaps it’s an idea for the UN to invite some of those to speak instead of governments. Applying the same Principle to the UN women’s council is also an idea – although finding a Saudi women’s rights protester who’s not in prison is harder than you might think.