PINA

The Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Stiell has added his voice to that of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from the Pacific, Caribbean, African, Indian Ocean and South China Seas, who are members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), calling for decisive action from world leaders at COP28.

“COP28 is our chance to make a dramatic course correction and do right for our future generations,” said Stiell. “We need to seize this opportunity, we need to do everything possible that will lead to the best possible outcome from this COP, come 12th December.”

The call comes as the countdown to the opening of COP28 in Dubai continues, where thousands of delegates are expected to attend. The Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC was addressing members of AOSIS at their preparatory meeting in Dubai, on Monday.

The two-day meeting, chaired by Samoa, is to strengthen AOSIS positions on priorities that must be achieved to give SIDS the best chance of sustainably coping with worsening climate change impacts.

For two days, lead coordinators for AOSIS, the negotiating bloc for SIDS, gave critical updates on the various thematic topics that will be negotiated at COP28.

The session with the Executive Secretary of UNFCCC provided delegates with an opportunity to hear from the UNFCCC, ask questions, seek clarifications, and to raise matters AOSIS views as priorities for COP28.

“I am here to assure you that we are here to provide support to ensure your voice is heard. COP28 must be a clear turning point. Governments must not only agree on what stronger climate actions will be taken but also start showing exactly how to deliver them,” said Stiell.

Discussions at COP28 will build on progress made at the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) held in November 2022 and the 58th sessions of the UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) held in June 2023.

One of the biggest items is the completion of the first Global Stocktake (GST) under the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to assess collective progress towards achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Stiell told AOSIS that the GST is extremely important and what comes out of it must serve as our collective compass, showing us where we stand in relation to our commitments, and more importantly, leading us to where we need to go.

“We need to leave COP28 with an ambitious outcome that cuts across adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and means of implementation.”

Samoa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, said the GST should be based on the best available science and give us a roadmap for course correction.

“Failing here is not an option for SIDS,” he said. “Small Island Developing States have been crying out for urgent climate action for over three decades and we can no longer be ignored.

“Now is the time for concrete action, and we are amplifying our call. Real results matter to us. We cannot, must not, go into COP28 banking on a lot of pledges with no tangible commitments. Our survival is at stake.”

Other key items on the COP28 agenda are the early capitalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, Climate Finance, Mitigation Ambition and Adaptation, in particular the Global Goal on Adaption (GGA).

The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai, UAE is taking place from Thursday 30 November 2023 – Tuesday 12 December 2023.

It is being attended by Pacific leaders and their delegations, who are advocating for the survival of Pacific communities who continue to be at the forefront of climate change impacts.

SOURCE: SPREP/PACNEWS

The Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, will lead the Commonwealth delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to call for accelerated action on the climate crisis in light of intensifying threats to small and vulnerable member countries.

Scheduled from 30 November to 12 December 2023, the annual summit comes just months after Commonwealth environment ministers committed to accelerating climate action at their inaugural meeting, held alongside the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

The Secretary-General, who will deliver at least 20 speeches across the summit, will urge negotiators to deliver a transformative outcome at the summit.

This includes accelerating efforts to implement national climate plans mandated under the Paris Agreement, using the findings of the ‘global stocktake’ report to increase ambition and action, and delivering an inclusive, operational Loss and Damage Fund.

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will officially open the Commonwealth Pavilion COP28, which will host about 40 events across the two weeks, demonstrating the Commonwealth’s ability to convene vital dialogues between governments, experts, businesses, youth leaders and civil society.

She will also meet with leaders and ministers from Commonwealth member countries and across the international community, to advance progress on emissions, finance, adaptation, biodiversity, oceans, health, innovation and the green economy.

Ahead of the summit, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said:

“The worst predictions of climate change have become a daily reality. In the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable countries, fertile lands are turning to dust, wells are running dry, storms and floods are overwhelming communities, and the ocean is rising.

“This represents not only a threat to the health, welfare and survival of millions of people, but to our collective stability and economic prospects.

“Yet as climate change advances, the gap on emissions, finance and justice has widened, while the window for action continues to narrow. COP28 must close that gap.

“Every day of delay makes life more dangerous, and makes climate action more complex, challenging and expensive. There can be no more delays, and no more excuses – this is the time for implementation.”

“The health of us all and of our planet rests on a 1.5°C degree cap on global warming,” she added. “We cannot lose sight of that objective, and I implore leaders at COP28 to renew their determination to deliver a bright, resilient, sustainable common world – now and for generations to come.”

During the summit, the Secretary-General will call for increased support for small and vulnerable states, highlighting that despite ambitious pledges, these countries are receiving limited funds to mitigate, adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate breakdown.

She will also draw attention to the broader consequences of the climate crisis on economic growth, leading to high debt burdens, food insecurity, stressed resources, and impaired livelihoods for many of the 2.5 billion people living across the Commonwealth.

Secretary-General Scotland will inform delegates at COP28 about the Commonwealth’s programme, designed to assist its member countries – including 33 small states – in dealing with the challenges posed by the climate crisis.

These include:

– the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has mobilised US$310 million in climate finance for 17 vulnerable Commonwealth countries, with an additional US$500 million in the pipeline;
– the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which is an agreement by all 56 member countries to actively co-operate to address shared ocean challenges;
– the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter: A Call to Action, which commits Commonwealth countries to safeguard global land resources while taking coordinated action on climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable land management;
– the Commonwealth Disaster Risk Finance Portal, which gives countries open, 24-hour hour access to key information on financing to better manage the impact of disasters; and
– the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Agenda, which seeks to fast-track an inclusive, just, and equitable transition to low-carbon energy systems across the group.

In light of 2023 being designated as the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the Commonwealth delegation will also host a series of events focused on promoting youth-led action on challenges posed by climate change.

SOURCE: THE COMMONWEALTH/PACNEWS

Small island developing states (SIDS) from the Pacific, Caribbean, African, Indian Ocean and South China Seas have converged in Dubai ahead of the pivotal United Nations climate summit, COP28, to strengthen positions on priorities that must be achieved to give SIDS the best chance of sustainably coping with worsening climate change impacts.

At SIDS Prep days on 26 and 27 November, all lead coordinators for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the negotiating bloc for SIDS, presented on the state of play, giving critical updates on the various thematic topics that will be negotiated at COP28.

Chair of AOSIS, Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, stated that AOSIS will be taking a strong position on issues central to safeguarding vulnerable countries, such as the Global Stocktake (a tool within the Paris Agreement which assesses progress of all countries’ actions to address climate change).

“This is a global mission for the greater good. SIDS have been making significant strides on climate action, but we must be realistic. We account for less than 1 percent of global emissions. The developed countries which contribute 80 percent of the world’s carbon emissions must raise their ambition. They must lead on fossil fuel phaseout. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and making deep, drastic cuts to ensure we reach net zero by 2050 is of the essence. This is a matter of survival not just for our islands, but our world,” he said.

“For our countries on the frontlines of this climate crisis, a strong outcome on the Global Stocktake is imperative. We know we are woefully behind on achieving the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. The GST is a critical process that indicates where we need to re-orientate.

“We know we must stay within the 1.5°C warming limit if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change – impacts our islands are already suffering from, including loss of land from sea level rise, catastrophic loss of lives and homes from more frequent and severe storms, lack of drinkable water, agricultural depletion, and more. The GST should be based on the best available science which supports this need, and gives us a roadmap for course correction.

“In addition to the GST and keeping 1.5 alive, at COP28 we must achieve a robust framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation to accelerate adaptation action. Failing here is not an option for SIDS.

“On Loss and Damage funding arrangements, we look forward to countries taking the recommendations of the Transitional Committee on board so we can finally open the channels of finance to assist the vulnerable countries that desperately need the support. It is fundamental that the Loss and Damage Fund has an adequate scale of capitalisation, at least US$100 billion for the first four years of the Fund.

“Small island developing states have been crying out for urgent climate action for over three decades and we can no longer be ignored. Now is the time for concrete action, and we are amplifying our call. Real results matter to us. We cannot, must not go into COP28 banking on a lot of pledges with no tangible commitments. Our survival is at stake.

“We are all in this together. Small island developing states may be on the immediate frontlines of the climate crisis – but be assured, if we do not act together, we will all be affected. The climate crisis is here and it is very real. The time to act must be now, said Ambassador Luteru.

SOURCE: AOSIS/SPREP/PACNEWS