5 years ago
SCOTT MORRISON MUST USE PACIFIC FORUM TO STEP UP ON CLIMATE CHANGE
PAT CONROY MP
If Scott Morrison is serious about his Pacific “Step up” he must use the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu on August 13-16 to take a stronger stand on climate change.
Pacific leaders have repeatedly said climate change is the biggest threat they face, and have urged Australia to take a leadership role, saying we are “failing in our duty”.
Last year the Pacific Islands Forum declared: “We reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement (Boe Declaration on Regional Security, 3-6 September 2018)
The Government must make sure the Paris Treaty is implemented properly – without the use of carryover credits – so we can limit global warming, and limit the effects of climate change in the Pacific and the potential destabilisation of our region. As it stands, the Government doesn’t have a consistent national climate change policy and as a result, carbon emissions are rising, and projected to keep rising till 2030.
If Mr Morrison is serious about his Pacific “Step Up” he must heed the Pacific leaders’ warnings:
“We cannot be regional partners under this step-up initiative – genuine and durable partners – unless the Government of Australia takes a more progressive response to climate change. They know very well that we will not be happy as a partner, to move forward, unless they are serious.” Enele Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, 4 December 2018
“What we want is to have an explanation of why they signed up [to the Paris Accord] and haven’t given it the flesh back home to back up their signature.” Winston Peters, NZ Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, 12 June 2019
"I share the concern of the rest of the Pacific that Australia as a big brother can do more [on climate change] than what they're doing right now. And should take the lead. And this is not something that we're hesitant to say. We're already asking Australia to take a more active partnership role." Tommy Remengesau, president of Palau, 1 August 2019
“As big countries in the Pacific – Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand – we have a sense of responsibility to the smaller island countries, because displacement of these smaller communities will first and foremost be our neighbourhood responsibility.” James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, 27 July 2019
“On the issue of climate change, Fiji will remain a champion and I hope that Australia, the Australian people, join us on the front lines of a global campaign for climate action… we look to every nation, Australia included, to raise the ambition in the climate struggle …” Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, 17 January 2019
“It’s very obvious that climate change is affecting Australia so I think Australia needs to recognise that and step up in its actions to address climate change … the Pacific island countries through the Boe declaration have expressed what we feel are the important issues to be addressed and Australia is of course a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, is one of our partners, and I think there needs to be a recognition of that by Australia." Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu Foreign Minister, 18 February 2019
“… the inaction and recalcitrance of federal politicians makes us despair. As we witness their indifference to the reality of climate change, this longstanding friendly relationship is giving way to disillusionment and disappointment. We believe Australia is failing in its duty as a regional leader.” Anote Tong, former president, Kiribati, 10 October 2018
The Pacific Island Forum is Scott Morrison’s chance to show Pacific leaders and the Australian people that his government is serious about addressing climate change.
Pacific leaders have repeatedly said climate change is the biggest threat they face, and have urged Australia to take a leadership role, saying we are “failing in our duty”.
Last year the Pacific Islands Forum declared: “We reaffirm that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and our commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement (Boe Declaration on Regional Security, 3-6 September 2018)
The Government must make sure the Paris Treaty is implemented properly – without the use of carryover credits – so we can limit global warming, and limit the effects of climate change in the Pacific and the potential destabilisation of our region. As it stands, the Government doesn’t have a consistent national climate change policy and as a result, carbon emissions are rising, and projected to keep rising till 2030.
If Mr Morrison is serious about his Pacific “Step Up” he must heed the Pacific leaders’ warnings:
“We cannot be regional partners under this step-up initiative – genuine and durable partners – unless the Government of Australia takes a more progressive response to climate change. They know very well that we will not be happy as a partner, to move forward, unless they are serious.” Enele Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, 4 December 2018
“What we want is to have an explanation of why they signed up [to the Paris Accord] and haven’t given it the flesh back home to back up their signature.” Winston Peters, NZ Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, 12 June 2019
"I share the concern of the rest of the Pacific that Australia as a big brother can do more [on climate change] than what they're doing right now. And should take the lead. And this is not something that we're hesitant to say. We're already asking Australia to take a more active partnership role." Tommy Remengesau, president of Palau, 1 August 2019
“As big countries in the Pacific – Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand – we have a sense of responsibility to the smaller island countries, because displacement of these smaller communities will first and foremost be our neighbourhood responsibility.” James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, 27 July 2019
“On the issue of climate change, Fiji will remain a champion and I hope that Australia, the Australian people, join us on the front lines of a global campaign for climate action… we look to every nation, Australia included, to raise the ambition in the climate struggle …” Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, 17 January 2019
“It’s very obvious that climate change is affecting Australia so I think Australia needs to recognise that and step up in its actions to address climate change … the Pacific island countries through the Boe declaration have expressed what we feel are the important issues to be addressed and Australia is of course a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, is one of our partners, and I think there needs to be a recognition of that by Australia." Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu Foreign Minister, 18 February 2019
“… the inaction and recalcitrance of federal politicians makes us despair. As we witness their indifference to the reality of climate change, this longstanding friendly relationship is giving way to disillusionment and disappointment. We believe Australia is failing in its duty as a regional leader.” Anote Tong, former president, Kiribati, 10 October 2018
The Pacific Island Forum is Scott Morrison’s chance to show Pacific leaders and the Australian people that his government is serious about addressing climate change.