LEAVING Paris without an ambitious, strong, legally binding agreement, applicable to all parties, sufficient to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, is not an option.

This is how it will be for Fiji and other small island developing states (SIDS) when they meet at COP21 in Paris says climate change director Peter Emberson.

Mr Emberson said “though the odds are stacked against SIDS and developing countries, Fiji will play its part, calling and negotiating for a meaningful outcome from Paris.

“The people on this planet do not have the luxury of time, climate change is affecting us now and we need every leader and country to play its fair part now,” Mr Emberson said.

He said in the lead-up to the COP21, the Prime Minister had been very clear in his policy articulations in highlighting the impacts of climate change on the vulnerabilities of small island developing states, and what COP21 needed to deliver to ensure the survival of the Pacific people and its eco-systems.

“This is clearly spelled out in key national and regional statements the PM has made during the course of this year.

“These positions are not made in isolation of policy supportive mechanisms, the PM’s position in backed up by strong supportive policy frameworks: i.e. Fiji’s climate change policy, green growth framework, Fiji’s draft energy policy and Fiji’s recently released intended nationally determined contributions (INDC) submission to the UNFCCC.”

Because of this, Fiji is confident Pacific voice will be heard and a concrete agreement will be made to see changes occur in industrialised nations.

“The Prime Minister has also made a plea to his Australian and New Zealand counterparts to show climate leadership, to act for climate justice that considers safeguarding the existence of vulnerable islands in the Pacific by making deeper emissions commitment.

“Hon Bainimarama has also called on all big greenhouse gas polluters to make deep effective cuts to their carbon emissions. This is something all leaders should continue to do before and during the UN climate meeting in Paris.

“Throughout the meeting in Paris, Fiji will continue to lobby its position and the position of the alliance of small island states (AOSIS),” he added.

The Fijian delegation to COP 21 will be led by PM Bainimarama and will consist of 45 representatives from Government, development partner agencies, NGOs and CROP agencies.

In preparing Fiji’s delegation for the 21st UNFCCC meet, the climate change division has organised climate change negotiation training sessions where experts brief the participants on the current status of international climate discussions and the areas of key importance for Fiji going into COP21 and one where the delegation were briefed on Fiji’s position and discuss the co-ordination of the team during the UN climate conference in Paris.