‘Pacific should reconsider hosting COP31 with Aust’
“We have made it clear that if Australia is really genuine about standing with the pacific, generally concerned about regional security then they need to recognise that the single threat facing the region is the climate crisis.
Wednesday 06 December 2023 | 11:49
Regional Policy Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), Lavetanalagi Seru.
The Pacific islands should not lend its support so easily to Australia to co-host COP31 if it is not able to phase out fossil fuels.
This was the statement made by Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) regional policy coordinator Lavetanalagi Seru in the margins of COP28 in Expo City, Dubai.
The Australian Government had proposed that Australia host the 2026 U.N. Climate Conference, in “partnership” with Pacific nations.
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“Since there has been a change in Government in Australia, if you look closely they continue to approve fossil fuel projects, hundreds in developments and a number in the process of being reviewed and approved by Government,” Mr Seru said.
“We have made it clear that if Australia is really genuine about standing with the pacific, generally concerned about regional security then they need to recognise that the single threat facing the region is the climate crisis.
“Yesterday, one of the Australian officials said they won’t be able to phase out fossil fuels completely. This is why we are saying that the pacific not lend its support so easily to Australia to co-host COP31 with the Pacific.”
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