Presence at climate talks critical to Fiji’s survival: Tabuya

Fiji cannot afford to be absent from global climate negotiations if it wants climate funding and international support, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya says.

Ms Tabuya stressed the importance of Fiji participating in both the Pre-COP meeting in Nadi and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Türkiye later this year.

“We must be present in order to get funding, otherwise they will not hear what Fiji is experiencing in terms of climate change and what kind of support we need,” Ms Tabuya said.

Pre-COP, a preparatory meeting ahead of the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, will be hosted by Fiji in Nadi from October 5 to 8. COP31 will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.

Ms Tabuya acknowledged that attending international climate meetings came at a significant cost, with delegations from participating ministries costing more than $200,000.

However, she said the investment was justified given the benefits Fiji receives through climate financing.

“If you look at the $200 million that we secure in a year, it’s worth it and it’s an investment,” she said.

“And if we are absent, our voices will not be heard by the world’s largest polluters.”

Ms Tabuya said both Pre-COP and COP31 were critical platforms for Fiji and other Pacific Island nations to advocate for stronger climate action and secure support for adaptation and resilience programmes.

She warned that the latest scientific findings showed the world was edging closer to dangerous climate thresholds.

“The risk of overshooting 1.5 degrees is significant if major emitters and all Parties fail to close the gap between what has been promised and what is actually delivered,” she said.

“For short periods, global average temperature has already exceeded 1.5 degrees.

“That does not mean the long-term Paris Agreement threshold has been permanently breached, but it is a warning that the window is closing quickly.”

Ms Tabuya said the stakes were especially high for Pacific nations already experiencing the effects of climate change.

“For the Pacific, 1.5 degrees is not just a number,” she said.

“It is a line that speaks directly to the survival of our communities and our way of life.

“Even now, we are already facing impacts that are locked in.

“If emissions continue to rise and adaptation limits are reached, the cost of protecting our people will become even greater.”

She said Fiji must continue to engage internationally and push for stronger climate commitments while pursuing its own climate action agenda.