Pacific climate advocates are calling on regional powerhouse Australia to meet their expectations as the country bids to host COP31.
These activists are in Tonga this week for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
In a statement from 350.org, Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Home Affairs Maina Talia said the Pacific’s key to our survival and prosperity lay in mitigation.
Similar sentiments were echoed by 350.org Pacific managing director Joseph Sikulu.
He said as an Australian and a Tongan, it was important for him to see the Albanese Government show true climate leadership.
“Not just for the Pacific or for Tonga or because the Pacific Islands Forum is here, but for all of us who are both Pacific Islander and Australian who have supported his government and the Labour Party for generations,” Mr Sikulu said.
“While Australia has contributed $100million to the Pacific Resilience Facility on the one hand, it is important to note that they are still actively approving new fossil fuel projects, exacerbating the climate crisis and increasing the burden of recovery faced by the Pacific.
“We need to see a transition that is empowered by finance, and accelerated by ending the era of fossil fuels.”
There are also calls for COP31 to not just be an Australian COP but also a Pacific COP.
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network regional director Rufino Varea said they recognised Australia’s desire to present itself as a climate leader and co-host the COP alongside the Pacific.
“However, true leadership must not merely be aspirational; it must be actionable,” Mr Varea said.
“To date, Australia has expanded gas production instead of aligning its practices with the urgent needs of the Pacific. This does not reflect the leadership we need.
“If Australia is to demonstrate genuine commitment, it must align its domestic and international climate policies with our goals and advocate earnestly for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.”
Mr Varea said Australia must also commit to ambitious climate actions, ensure effective climate finance was delivered to Pacific Island Countries, and contribute substantially to the Loss and Damage Fund.
“If these steps are not taken, we risk witnessing a COP that concedes failure — declaring that critical targets were missed, and that Pacific communities continue to be exploited as mere labour resources for the enrichment of others.”
