The declaration of a climate emergency and calling for rapid and deep reductions in emissions to limit global warming by Pacific leaders during the Pacific Islands Forum meeting last week has been welcomed by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offices.
WWF offices urged Pacific leaders to take significant steps, informed by the best available science to combat the threat of climate change, including:
- transforming their economies to clean and renewable alternatives to fossil fuels;
- meeting and exceeding climate finance targets and scaling up investment in climate adaptation efforts, with a particular focus on restoration, protection of critical ecosystems and expanding protected area targets; and
- supporting indigenous and local communities to deliver climate action and nature-based solutions across the Pacific.
WWF-Pacific director Mark Drew said the declaration was a major step forward in recognising the real threat climate change posed to the people, the environment, and the oceans of the Pacific region.
“Pacific island countries are on the frontline of this climate emergency and they are also taking a leadership role in delivering climate action, as today’s declaration shows,” Mr Drew said.
“What the Pacific needs now is for developed nations and especially those that are primary emitters to step up and deliver on their global commitments and be part of the solution to addressing this climate crisis and that includes helping reduce their emissions with commitment and perseverance.”
WWF-Australia’s Acting CEO Rachel Lowry said Pacific governments, particularly Australia, must back up the declaration with real action to drive down emissions this decade.
“It’s awful that it’s come to this, but hearing our Prime Minister acknowledge the opportunity for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower gives me hope,” Ms Lowry said.
WWF-New Zealand’s CEO Livia Esterhazy said New Zealand also needed to respond to the declaration with urgency and ambition.
“The Pacific is already dealing with the effects of climate change, from extreme weather events to the changes within our ocean. Declaring an emergency is only as good as the action that follows. New Zealand needs greater investment in renewables, sustainable farming, our blue economy, and nature-based solutions to help businesses drive down emissions towards zero this decade,” Ms Esterhazy said.
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called climate change ‘the challenge that defines my generation.’ We now need to act like it.”
