Pacific negotiators frustrated by ‘slow process’ of climate talks

Pacific climate leaders were frustrated by the sluggish rate of progress made during the first week of the UN climate meeting in Azerbaijan.

RNZ PACIFIC reports that the big goal of this COP is to increase annual climate financing target from US$100 billion originally set in 2009 for developed nations to help developing countries reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Now into week two the chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States Sanlan William is hoping for action in Baku.

“Leaders are raising a lot of concern on the slow process,” he said.

“Yes, there’s been a lot of conversation in the first week, but nothing has been done yet.”

United Nations Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell told parties to “wrap up” less contentious issues soon to make room for the big decisions.

“We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees,” he told leaders.

William said the Pacific had its red lines that it would not budge on.

“The emphasis here is we need to keep the 1.5C to stay alive because our survival cannot be negotiated.”

Senior Policy Advisor at the Pacific Island Climate Action Network, Sindra Sharma said the majority agenda items have been pushed back for next year.

“We’re not in a very good place,” she said.

Sharma said it’s going to be difficult to reach a finance agreement.

“It’s going to be a hard lift because there are two sides, with developed countries and developing countries.

“Developed countries aren’t keen on providing the money that’s necessary and more interested in an investment led approach to the mobilization of this finance.”

Sharma said private investment may not be interested in providing the money which is too risky for the Pacific.

At the start of the conference Azerbaijan’s President sparked controversy when he called oil and gas “a gift of God”.

The hosts of previous COPs such as the last one in the United Arab Emirates have also been accused of obstructing negotiations and giving special treatment to fossil fuel executives and lobbyists.

But Fiji’s climate chief, Sivendra Michael said despite big oil nations hosting the event, if Pacific decided not to go the negotiations would continue.

“We don’t see any ethical or moral reason of not attending COPs physically, irrespective of whether it is in a fossil fuel driven country, we have to be in this room because we don’t want our voices minimized in any way or in any form.”

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister James Marape boycotted COP this year in protest over empty promises and inaction but says his country will re-engage in next year’s UN climate meeting in Brazil.