FIJI’S Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he is tired of hearing major emitters excuse inaction in cutting their own emissions on the basis that they were “just a fraction” of the world’s total.
“And for the international community to achieve net-zero emissions, we must accept zero excuses,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“Frankly, I’m tired of hearing major emitters excuse inaction in cutting their own emissions on the basis they are ‘just a fraction’ of the world’s total.”
While addressing world leaders who were present during the Carbon Neutrality Coalition (CNC) signing event in Spain yesterday, Mr Bainimarama said the truth was, in a family of nearly 200 nations, collective efforts was the key.
“We all must take responsibility for ourselves, and we all must play our part to achieve net-zero.
“As I like to say, we’re all in the same canoe. But currently, that canoe is taking on water with nearly 200 holes – and there are too few of us trying to patch them.”
He also reminded world leaders that making a commitment to achieve net-zero by 2050 was meaningless if it was not matched by short-term action.
“Without action today, such commitments are merely political greenwashing – empty promises that will have little effect on our ability to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“Achieving net-zero won’t happen overnight, we need to immediately set ourselves on a new course and make steady and rapid progress each and every year over the next three decades.
“To do this, we need to come up with plans — plans that are in line with the science — and we need to immediately put those plans into action.”
