Australia Can Do Better: Bainimarama to Morrison

The call from Pacific Island leaders to Australia remained unchanged.

 The urgency to reach net zero by 2030 is linked to the very survival of low-lying islands, atolls and its people.

Australia cannot afford to stall.

 While the launch of the way forward - ‘Australia’s Long-term Emissions Reduction Plan – A whole-of-economy Plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050’ was commended, the three Pacific Island leaders demanded more.

 Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano did not hold back during the discussions.  They were later joined by Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior who arrived 10 minutes late.

 Mr Bainimarama emphasised that it was important for Australia to bring forward their emissions plans by twenty years to 2030.

 During the photo session after the meeting held at the Australian Pavilion, Mr Morrison said they would all work hard together to support each other in their resilience.

 He also pointed to the development of technology to provide solutions to the ongoing climate crisis.

“I’m glad that we can all be here together as a Pacific family in Glasgow,” Mr Morrison said.

 After the meeting, Mr Bainimarama tweeted:  “Australia’s pledge is a start.  I’ve now urged Scott Morrison to show us a concrete plan to halve the emissions by 2030.

“I’ve given him a copy of Fiji’s Climate Change Act as a guide – it is our uniquely Fijian way of following the science to keep faith with future generations.”

 Earlier yesterday, Mr Bainimarama’s first engagement was a one-on-one meeting with Mr Morrison at Cameron House – where most world leaders are being accommodated during the summit.

Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj