An ambitious plan for a “Fossil Fuel Free Pacific” and a plea for a worldwide, just, and equitable phase-out of coal, oil, and gas production were unveiled by Pacific leaders at the conclusion of a three-day Ministerial Dialogue in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Vanuatu and Tuvalu hosted the “2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition away from Fossil Fuels,” which included ministers and officials from Tonga, Fiji, Niue, and the Solomon Islands as well as representatives from regional organizations, including Henry Puna, secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The formal conclusion of the summit, the “Port Vila Call for a Fair Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific,” advocates for a fair, quick, and financially supported phase-out of fossil fuels globally.
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The Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Maukoro Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, said: “While loss and damage intensifies in the Pacific and globally, the fossil fuel industry is making record profits. We can’t rely on the fossil fuel industry to break a business as usual.
“We need both domestic action and international cooperation to explicitly stop the expansion of fossil fuel emissions and production in order to fulfil the aims of the Paris Agreement. Transitioning away from an extractive economy provides us with the opportunity to build one that is instead visionary, regenerative and fruitful.”
On his part, Vanuatu’s Climate Minister, Ralph Regenvanu, said: “It is past time for governments to demand an end to fossil fuels, yet the Pacific has stepped out to make this call today. We see a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific as the only future possible that will ensure the survival of our islands from the ravages of climate change. Our ambition and political will is clear, and we are prepared to work for this until the last barrel of oil, bottle of gas and ton of coal harms the people of our Blue Pacific Continent.”
Story was adapted from Enviro News
