By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna has welcomed the new climate policy announced by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Morrison announced last week that Australia will join the developed world in pursuing a net zero emissions by 2050 but its formal target for 2030 remains unchanged – a reduction in 26-28 percent in emissions
Forum Secretary General Henry Puna told PACNEWS the Pacific region want world leaders to pledge carbon emission cuts of 50 percent or more by 2030 during COP26 in Glasgow this week.
“Yes, we are always celebrating when one of the big countries makes changes and make announcements, come up with numbers and of course Australia is one of the family, it’s the moment for celebration,” Puna told PACNEWS.
This week’s climate talks have been described as the point of no return and the world’s last chance to stop rising temperatures and to avoid catastrophic climate events.
There is fears Australia’s lack of ambition might set the stage for other countries to water down the commitments to be reached at the COP26 talks in Glasgow.
“I think Australia still needs to do a lot more instead of relying on the net zero by 2050 because the science is saying that we must particularly by 2030 have ambitious climate targets and actions so that we can begin to make a difference leading in to 2050. I’m very happy that PM Morrison is here or will be after the G20 to support the Forum with us in our quest to ambitious climate action here at COP26,” Puna told PACNEWS.
At the climate talks that start on Sunday — the Pacific region would continue to push for high-emitting nations to halve emissions by 2030.
The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
PACNEWS coverage from Glasgow is possible with the assistance of the Pacific Islands Forum through the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC).
SOURCE: PACNEWS
