The Pacific countries, which are among the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change, sought to establish their priorities in global climate negotiations at the climate conference held in Nadi, Fiji. This meeting is a precursor to the COP٣١ summit in Turkey in November.
Emphasis on Reducing Gas Emissions
Representatives of the Pacific countries at this conference emphasized the need to increase efforts to reduce gas emissions to keep global temperatures below ١.٥ degrees Celsius. Linda Tabuya, Fiji's Minister of Climate Change, stated at the beginning of the pre-COP negotiations: "We are approaching the ١.٥-degree temperature limit, and this is concerning for us." She added: "We cannot simply cross this threshold, and we must fulfill our responsibilities in this regard."
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Priorities of the Pacific Countries
The priorities of these countries include ensuring better access to climate finance, protecting the oceans, and ensuring adherence to the goal of limiting warming to ١.٥ degrees above pre-industrial levels. Tabuya also noted that these countries are facing serious challenges, including rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions. She said: "We are witnessing the effects of climate change in our daily lives, including storm waters approaching our homes and marine habitats that have been severely damaged."
On Tuesday, a group of leaders from Pacific islands gathered in Fiji and, after visiting the vulnerable country of Tuvalu, adopted a declaration calling for deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in gas emissions. This declaration, named "Taku Pakasua," refers to the power found in unity and collective action.
The declaration states: "Every fraction of a degree that increases accelerates the effects of climate change and increases the risk of loss and irreparable damage." Dachen Tsering, the director of the UN Environment Programme's Asia and Pacific regional office, emphasized that exceeding ١.٥ degrees and the associated environmental damage is unavoidable, stating: "The risks associated with the Pacific will exceed peak temperatures. Every additional ١٠٠ years above ١.٥ degrees will commit the world to about a ٤٠-centimeter rise in sea levels by ٢٣٠٠."
Murad Korom, Turkey's Minister of Environment and President of COP٣١, stated that limiting the exceedance of ١.٥ degrees is the common goal of this summit and expressed hope that this goal will be achieved.
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