No longer policy but matter of survival: PM
“The only way to achieve the ambitious 1.5-degree target is to ensure our collective Nationally Determined Contributions are aligned with a 1.5-degree pathway. We must commit unequivocally to making this pathway a reality, acknowledging the urgency of our global climate action.
Monday 04 December 2023 | 15:11
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reminded world leaders that for small island development states, climate action was not just a matter of policy; it was a matter of survival.
Speaking during the G77 and China summit at the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Parties, Mr Rabuka said the livelihoods of small island development states were under threat, and the global inequality gap was widening.
“COP28 must yield commitments that course correct and steer us towards keeping global average temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Prime Minister Rabuka said.
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He reminded leaders that their collective actions must resonate globally, recognizing the diversity and needs of our populations.
“The only way to achieve the ambitious 1.5-degree target is to ensure our collective Nationally Determined Contributions are aligned with a 1.5-degree pathway. We must commit unequivocally to making this pathway a reality, acknowledging the urgency of our global climate action.
“The science is clear, and so must be our resolve. We must phase out fossil fuels. Our existing energy systems cannot be economically justified when considering the long-term damage we face from climate change. The collective and cumulative costs of delaying this transition are extreme.”
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