The Pacific’s Civil Society, representing the voices and concerns of communities profoundly affected by the climate crisis, expresses deep disappointment and grave concern regarding the recent statements made by Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, during his State visit to Australia.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s comments, which suggest that the Pacific should adopt a more ‘realistic’ approach toward Australian coal mining and gas production, reveal a troubling lack of urgency and empathy for the escalating climate emergency in the Pacific.
At a time when the Sixth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) urgently calls for an immediate halt to all new coal, oil, and gas projects worldwide, Prime Minister Rabuka’s stance seems out of touch with the dire reality faced by Pacific nations.
George Nacewa, Pacific Organiser, 350.org said:
“We are disappointed by the comments from Prime Minister Rabuka enabling Australia’s coal and gas addiction. Science has made clear that fossil fuels are the leading cause of the climate crisis, and the destruction of our villages, reefs and shorelines is what this looks like in reality.”
“The Pacific has always been a strong voice for climate ambition and I urge the Hon. Prime Minister not to lay that legacy to waste.”
“I am a Fijian and I am a father, and if Australia truly is “vuvale” to us, they need to commit to phasing out fossil fuels and show me that they care for the safety of my children’s future.”
George Nacewa, 350.org
Fossil fuels are the primary drivers of climate change, and the Pacific region is at the forefront of this crisis, directly experiencing its devastating impacts.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s remarks come in the wake of a recent analysis by Oil Change International, which underscores Australia’s role as one of five developed nations responsible for the majority (51 percent) of planned oil and gas expansion until 2050.
Australia’s planned new extraction alone would equate to the lifetime emissions of 25 new coal-fired power plants. The projected oil and gas expansion from this small group of countries would push the world well beyond the critical 1.5-degree threshold, a limit that the Pacific nations collectively worked to establish.
To achieve this target, not only must new expansion cease immediately, but existing fields must also be shut down ahead of schedule.
It is essential to emphasize that Prime Minister Rabuka does not represent the entire Pacific. Our low-lying atoll neighbors are already enduring immeasurable suffering due to the repercussions of the climate crisis. They are in a fight for their survival, dignity, homes, and the well-being of future generations.
Moreover, we find these comments surprising, given Fiji’s recent support for the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition towards a fossil fuel-free Pacific. These recent remarks also cast doubt on Fiji’s role as a ‘friend’ of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, which includes some of the most progressive voices advocating for the phasing out of coal, oil, and gas production in international climate discussions.
Australia’s economic dependence on fossil fuels cannot take precedence over the existential threats faced by Pacific nations.
While we acknowledge the economic importance of fossil fuel industries to Australia, we implore our neighbors to recognize the urgent need for a transition toward sustainable and renewable alternatives. The imperative to take action is non-negotiable.
We call on Prime Minister Rabuka to reconsider his position and align Fiji’s efforts with the global consensus for immediate and substantial climate action, focusing on the phase-out of all fossil fuels and the transition to renewable energy.
The time for resolute action to safeguard our region and the future of our planet is now, and there is no room for compromise.
Dr Mahendra Kumar from the Pacific Elders’ Voice Secretariat has said:
“There is a huge opportunity to transition to renewable energy by Australia, which would in turn provide greater opportunity for the Pacific SIDS in terms of technology and support to substitute the huge fossil fuel import bills they currently endure.”
“At the very least the Australian Government – if it is serious about being a partner – should stop subsidising and approving gas and coal projects. It should provide new and additional climate change finance to Pacific countries to transition their own economies to clean energy and to protect their communities from the impacts of climate change.”
“There is really no excuse for Australia not to act. It is what science requires. There is no economic argument for Australia’s continued fossil fuel exports.”
Dr Mahendra Kumar from the Pacific Elders’ Voice Secretariat
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