David Pocock condemns Australia’s fossil fuel projects as an ‘existential threat’ to Pacific neighbours
The independent senator David Pocock says the Australian government is failing to listen to its “Pacific family” and must stop approving new fossil fuel projects that fuel “an existential threat for those
The 2024 Pacific Forecast: A Turn for the Worse?
It’s 2024. Heading towards the halfway mark of this decade, the Pacific’s landscape is vastly different from four years ago, gripped in a steadily escalating set of challenges that may well define what the next
Opinion: COP28 marks the end of business as usual for the Blue Pacific
The United Nations climate talks (COP28) concluded in Dubai delivered a mixed bag of outcomes for the Pacific. An early highlight during these annual talks was the agreement to operationalise a loss and damage
COP28: Short of the finish line
After almost 30 years of haggling over the planet’s future at COP meetings, climate activists descended on COP28 in Dubai in December, intent on achieving the phasing out of fossil fuels. Instead, the meeting approved
Pacific faces new battle: plastic addiction
It’s a familiar story. While Pacific negotiators recently emerged disappointed but resolute over the result of the climate change negotiations in Dubai, they are also engaged on a new front; a treaty to govern the
COP28: Celebrating the Crumbs
After 28 years of international climate negotiations, the COP summit finally reached an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. The mention of fossil fuels is in itself a breakthrough. But it is low-hanging
Negotiations at COP28 hit roadblock as fossil fuel phase-out language faces opposition
On the last day of negotiations at COP28, Karlos Moresi Lee, the Pacific Islands Forum Programme Adviser for Resilient Development Finance, discussed the challenges faced by negotiators from the Alliance of Small Island
COP28 draft agreement calls for fossil fuel cuts but avoids ‘phase-out’
Oil-exporting countries will be called upon to reduce their production drastically in the coming decades, if a draft agreement published at the COP28 UN summit on Monday is accepted. The text avoids highly contentious
AOSIS Ministers express serious concerns over COP28 Global Stocktake draft text
The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Chairs Minister, Cedric Schuster of Samoa, Monday voiced deep worries regarding the process and content of the document in reaction to the COP28 Presidency’s draft text on
Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege stands firm against weakening of SIDS’s voice at COP28
The climate envoy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Tina Stege, Saturday expressed grave concerns about attempts by certain countries to weaken the emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the
Ministers demand action, not words at COP28
In a panel discussion at COP28 Saturday, government ministers emphasized their priorities and the urgency of addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance. The
‘Hold the line’: Pacific climate activists at COP28
Pacific climate champions chanted ‘hold the line’ at COP28 late last week amid concerns about the direction of the climate talks. Pacific climate activist Drue Slatter told Islands Business the presence of 2456
Pacific fights for climate finance at COP28
In the final days of the global climate negotiations in Dubai, countries continue to argue over the “phase out” or “phase down” of fossil fuels. United Arab Emirates, the host nation of the 28th Conference of
Pacific SIDS face uphill battle as negotiator warns of unresolved issues and financial challenges
Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) brace for an uphill battle as a key negotiator issues a warning about remaining unresolved issues and financial hurdles as COP28 negotiations pass midway. Exsley Taloiburi,
Climate change, overfishing: Pacific tuna faces ‘unprecedented challenges’
The annual regional fisheries meeting to discuss and address crucial matters concerning tuna fisheries and the marine ecosystems they inhabit began Wednesday with a traditional welcome and official opening ceremony at
Pacific firm on 1.5-degree goal at COP28, calls for Just Transition and Youth inclusivity
As COP28 approaches its closing plenary next week, key stakeholders from the Pacific region weigh in on their priorities and expectations for the rest of the conference. Director General of SPREP, Sefanaia Nawadra said
Forum SG Puna support change of COP format for amplified youth voices
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Henry Puna has called for a full revamp of the format and structure of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP). Puna emphasised the urgent need to bring
Data gaps hamper displacement discussion
Pacific Island negotiators at COP28 face the challenge of quantifying the economic and non-economic costs human displacement due to a lack of systematic data collection. But Lorenzo Guadagno, the Project Coordinator for
French foreign minister says she is open to South Pacific resettlement requests due to rising seas
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Monday she was open to any resettlement request from tiny South Pacific nations threatened by rising sea levels, similar to Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu. Colonna
Pacific Resilience Facility set to launch in 2025: Forum Chair Brown
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Mark Brown has announced at the COP28 side event in Dubai that the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is scheduled to commence operations by 2025. Brown
Milestone COP28 side event calls for urgent global action on 1.5°C goal
Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown has highlighted the nature of the 1.5°C target, emphasising the commitment required to uphold the 2015 Paris Agreement. The COP28 meeting in Dubai
Tuvalu official raises concerns and opportunities in Australia’s climate refuge offer
The Pacific Islands Forum Programme Adviser for Resilient Development Finance, has shared his thoughts on Australia’s offer to provide refuge to Tuvalu citizens in the face of climate change. In a PACNEWS interview,
Palau, Tonga, Fiji call for concrete actions at COP28 to combat climate crisis
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. Friday delivered a powerful message emphasising the urgent need for global unity and concrete actions to combat the climate crisis. Addressing the distinguished audience,
