Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Pacific cannot afford to lose sight of the 1.5°C target as rising seas, extreme weather and El Niño conditions intensify across the region.
Speaking at the Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders’ Plenary in Denarau, Albanese said climate change was already affecting Pacific countries and required immediate action.
“In Tuvalu, as in the rest of the Pacific, climate change is not a problem for the future. It is here, right now,” Albanese said.
He said sea levels in the Western Pacific were rising at more than twice the global average, while a forecast Super El Niño could add further pressure on Pacific communities.
“We know also that the forecast of Super El Niño may test us all,” he said.
Albanese said Australia was also preparing for a summer of floods, cyclones and extreme heat.
“Because the science told us that if we didn’t act to address global emissions, this is precisely what would occur. And tragically that is playing out,” he said.
“Which is why we cannot afford to let 1.5 degrees just slip from our grasp.”
The Australian Prime Minister said Pacific leaders had a responsibility to bring the experiences and concerns of their communities to the global climate negotiations.
“Listen to the voices and communities that are living with climate change every day. It is the responsibility of us as leaders.
“To me what this gathering is about is bringing those Pacific voices to the world,” Albanese said.
He said the unity demonstrated by Pacific leaders must translate into concrete action.
“It is a cause that unites all of us in this room. And we must turn the unity which is here into action,” he said.
Albanese highlighted Australia’s 2023 treaty with Tuvalu, saying it guaranteed Tuvalu’s continued statehood and sovereignty in the face of climate-related sea-level rise.
“I was very proud to agree to a world first treaty with Tuvalu in 2023.
“It guarantees Tuvalu’s continued statehood and sovereignty even in the worst of climate change related sea level rise,” he said.
He said Australia remained committed to the Pacific and was supporting Tuvalu and Fiji in hosting the Pre-COP31 meeting to ensure Pacific communities had a platform in the lead-up to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Albanese also outlined Australia’s domestic efforts to increase renewable energy, saying renewable energy supplied more than half of Australia’s energy in the December quarter of last year, during a period when overall energy use was at a record level.
He contrasted Australia’s current renewable energy target of 82 percent with the 2 percent target in place when he attended his first COP meeting as Australia’s climate change spokesperson in 2005 and 2006.
“In a relatively short period of time it shows what can be done.
“But no country acting alone is enough. We need to work with the world,” he said.
Albanese said the Pacific Resilience Facility was an example of the regional cooperation needed to address climate impacts.
“Designed by the Pacific, for the Pacific. We’re proud contributors to it and we call upon other nations to do so as well,” he said.
He said the facility would provide energy access, resilience and security for more than 300,000 people.
Albanese also pointed to a solar energy project in Palau, which he said could provide between 20 and 25 percent of the country’s energy needs, as an example of what regional partnerships could achieve.
“This is an example of cooperation and partnership which we need to see more of,” he said.
With Pacific leaders preparing to endorse the Taku Pakasoa Declaration ahead of COP31, Albanese said the region needed to maintain pressure for stronger global action.
“The time for action is certainly now.
“A call for action, a declaration of strength in unity, and a firm commitment to work with optimism and determination to build a more resilient future,” he said.
Albanese said maintaining optimism was important to securing public and political support for climate action.
“If people think there is no hope, then they will not strive to get the change that we need.
“I’m confident that we can do that, and that this meeting will be an important part in the lead up to COP31,” he said.
The Pacific Pre-COP31 Leaders’ Plenary brings together Pacific leaders ahead of COP31 in Antalya, where negotiations will focus on advancing global climate commitments and implementation.
