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
COP28 adopts ‘UAE consensus’ paving the way for fossil fuel transition
The President of COP28 Sultan Al Jaber has announced that participating parties have endorsed the ‘UAE Consensus’ Wednesday in the climate change negotiations in Dubai. The consensus, supported by representatives
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
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,
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
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,
Dubai dispatch: Pacific views on Loss and Damage
Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti reports from COP28 “If you are not making any moves on climate mitigation, on reducing or phasing out fossil fuel then this is just blood money.” This is the view of General Secretary of the
Analysis: Steps forward on Loss and Damage at COP28
When Fiji was hit by Cyclone Winston in 2015, it caused F$2 billion worth of loss and damage. The Fiji government’s official post-disaster assessment highlighted many adverse impacts. Nearly 40,000 people required
Science points to ‘climate collapse’ as UN chief calls COP28 to action
The world is heating up at an unprecedented pace, new climate data shows, and leaders gathered for the COP28 conference which opened in Dubai on Thursday must get us out of “deep trouble”, UN Chief António Guterres
PNG PM swings axe on huge delegation
A proposed list of 56 PNG Ministers, departmental heads, protocol staff, close protection officers and departmental staff travelling to the UN Climate Conference in Dubai has been chopped by the Prime Minister to 29
Palau’s Climate Change negotiator Matsutaro emphasise ambition and urgency at COP28
Palau’s climate change negotiator and Chair of Pacific Small Island Developing States(PSIDS), Xavier Matsutaro has emphasised the critical need for ambition and urgency at COP28, underscoring the pivotal role of
Pacific Gender champion urges stronger female representation and accountability at COP28
Pacific Gender Champion and Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Mona Ainu’u, has delivered a passionate call for stronger female representation and accountability at COP28, emphasising the urgent need for
The climate crisis is a health crisis
COP28 will include the first dedicated ‘Health Day’. It’s due recognition that a health crisis is inextricably linked to the climate crisis. In 2023, Canada endured its “worst wildfire season in
Heat is on UAE to deliver at COP28
To meet climate goals, countries will have to get far more ambitious and quickly. Here’s what to look for at COP28. The world’s premier climate change conference this month will be hosted by a country among
