Prince of Wales, Bainimarama: Big Carbon Emitters Must Be Kept In Check
Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama have one key thing in common this week – they are both concerned about big carbon emitters.
Saturday 06 November 2021 | 11:43
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with Prince Charles in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 5, 2021. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
They both believe that there is a serious need for a call to action to keep them in check.
Yesterday at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Mr Bainimarama met with Prince Charles – the second time in a span of two years.
The exchange was cordial, and the Prince of Wales expressed his concern for not being able to attend Fiji’s planned 50th Independence Day celebrations in 2020.
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The onslaught of the first wave of COVID-19 and its restrictions cancelled all kinds of gatherings.
But Prince Charles said there was nothing stopping him from visiting Fiji for the 52nd or 53rd Independence Day celebrations.
He said he has sweet and pleasant memories about Fiji.
In their interaction, Mr Bainimarama commended the Prince of Wales for the lead role he has taken to raise issues about climate change globally.
In 2019, Prince Charles had created the Sustainable Markets Initiative and Council, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
The initiative was in response to the increasing threats posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.
Mr Bainimarama also took the opportunity to brief the Prince of Wales about Fiji’s key priorities in Glasgow.
One of them is joining the fight to cut emissions – by asking high emitters to halve its carbon emissions by 2030.
Mr Bainimarama is well-known for not holding back and has no qualms about telling leaders that are falling short that they are not doing enough.
Like the Prince of Wales, Mr Bainimarama continues to call for stronger action from big emitters. He told Prince Charles that much damage had been done, but there was hope that the 1.5 degrees could be achieved.
Issues about the accessibility and affordability of climate finance for small island states were also made known.
Prince Charles agreed and said he understood the Pacific as a whole and that we were most vulnerable to climate change in Fiji.
Marine Protected Areas and green shipping were also raised during the discussions.
Mr Bainimarama also presented the Climate Change Act to the Prince of Wales.
Three development partners were also part of the discussions alongside Fiji’s high level delegation.
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj
