Pacific Leaders Ramp Up Loss and Damage Finance Facility Demands as COP27 Negotiations Reach ‘Crunch Time’
‘I MUST GO BACK TO MY COUNTRY AND TELL MY PEOPLE THAT THE UNFCCC IS WORKING FOR THEM AND THAT RICH COUNTRIES HAVE AGREED TO PAY AND ADDRESS THE HARM THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED, THAT THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED A FUND UNDER THE CAPABLE LEADERSHIP OF THE EGYPTIAN PRES
As negotiations at COP27 heat up nearing the conclusion of the conference this weekend, Pacific Island leaders are not backing down on their demand to see the inclusion of a loss and damage facility in the final COP27 climate pact text.
While some leaders have expressed disappointment at the pushback and stalling of negotiation processes for key negotiation priorities of the Pacific, there is some level of certainty left for the inclusion of the facility to push through.
With negotiators scrambling into the night to finalise the text of the climate change conference, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said negotiators were at crunch time with negotiations.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Ralph Regenvanu in a press conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on Thursday said the region was out of time, money and patience and it was crucial that leaders look to establish a loss and damage finance facility at COP27.
“Let me make it clear that if nations leave this COP27 without having being shown the political will to hear the desperate calls of the most vulnerable countries in the world to establish a loss and damage fund, we will consider this as a severe abrogation
to us under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement,” Minister Regenvanu said.
“The final text of the 27th Conference of Parties must establish a loss and damage facility.
“Many within the UNFCCC process who are already questioning its integrity will begin to take this fight for our lives elsewhere.
“The establishment of a loss and damage fund will determine the success or failure of our collective leadership here.
“I must go back and tell my people that the UNFCCC is working for them and that rich committing countries have agreed to pay and address the harm that they have caused, that they have established a
fund under the capable leadership of the Egyptian presidency to address loss and damage.”
Fiji
Fiji’s Head of Delegation to COP27 Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Satyendra Prasad said building seawalls, improving waterways and raising existing seawalls were no longer an option.
“This is a very important message and our message to major polluters and emitters: It is a moral responsibility that you pay for the loss and damages you have caused.”
Prime Minister Voreqa Bainimarama has also called on the United States President Joe Biden to support loss and damage at COP27.
“There’s no clearer way to show the USA is serious about it’s better relationship with the planet and our US-Pacific Partnership.”
Samoa PM
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said arrangements for the Loss and Damage Response Fund must remain a priority for all.
She added that loss and damage must remain firmly on the table as there were increasing occurrences and severity of climate change impacts everywhere.
“Currently, the financial burden for loss and damage falls almost entirely on affected countries and not those most responsible for climate change. The promised $100 billion
floor for climate action can no longer be sidelined as this amount is already inadequate for the challenges that lie ahead.”
Pacific Islands Forum
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna said: “On Loss and Damage, we cannot wait for the next COP to see action. We are experiencing loss and damage now, and delaying tactics are not acceptable, as they push the Pacific further to climate catastrophe. For us, this is not rhetoric or political fanfare. This is about the survival of our future generations.”
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