PINA

By Pita Ligaiula Vanuatu has urged parties in the COP26 negotiations to have new and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that represent the highest possible ambition. Addressing the COP26 High-level Segment Wednesday, Vanuatu Ambassador based in Geneva, Sumbue Antas said his country would like to see the highest levels of pressure applied to parties who have not yet brought their...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow COP26 President Alok Shama says the United Kingdom are not seeking to reopen the Paris Agreement. Speaking at the COP26 press conference in Glasgow, Sharma said the Paris Agreement clearly sets out the temperature goal. “Well below 2 degrees and pursuing efforts to 1.5 degrees. That is why our overarching goal of “keeping 1.5 degrees within reach”...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege says the island nation cannot accept failure and 1.5 degrees remains the focus for the Pacific nation at COP26. The new assessment report published by Climate Action Tracker Tuesday said the world remains on track for 2.4 degrees of warming by 2100. If temperatures do rise by an average of...

By Pita Ligaiula Pacific Ocean Commissioner and Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says COP26 must accelerate work on loss and damage and on oceans. Addressing the UNFCCC COP 26 High level segment Wednesday, Puna said Pacific Leaders are leading on climate action despite contributing negligibly to the crisis. “Pacific Leaders have endorsed a Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the face...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow The Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) is unhappy with the language of the United Kingdom COP26 draft text released Wednesday. It warned that the language in the text is not strong enough to prevent dangerous warming and keep 1.5C within reach. AOSIS Chair Aubrey Webson said the UK draft COP text: 'Urging' 'encouraging' and 'inviting'...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) Wednesday told the UN Climate Change talks in Glasgow the 1.5C limit is non-negotiable. Speaking on behalf of PSIDS at COP26 High level Plenary, Marshall Islands Health Minister Bruce Bilimon said climate change is the single greatest threat to their livelihood, security and wellbeing. “We do not need more scientific...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow The world must rapidly cut global emissions and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees, says Forum Secretary General. Speaking Tuesday at the launch of Results-Oriented Adaptation Research (ROAR) initiative Adaptation Research Alliance at COP26, Henry Puna said the Pacific region is experiencing first-hand the impacts of the climate change crisis. “Indeed, climate change is an existential...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow Fijian Prime Minister and Forum Chair Voreqe Bainimarama says the stakes could not be higher for world leaders to combat climate change. Addressing the APEC Ministerial Meeting on sidelines of COP26, Bainimarama said the Blue Pacific continent is faced with an extraordinary three-pronged crisis: the devastating effects of climate change and natural disasters, the impact...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu is looking at legal avenues to keep ownership of its maritime zones and recognition as a country even if the island nation is completely submerged due to the impacts of climate change. Foreign Minister Simon Kofe said Tuesday his island nation is looking to the future and preparing now...

By Pita Ligaiula in Glasgow Forum Secretary General Henry Puna says the latest Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report confirms what the Blue Pacific already knows to be true – ‘our planet is in the throes of a human-induced climate crisis, and we have lost the luxury of time’. Responding to panel questions on the IPCC report - keeping...