AOSIS eyes greater progress on climate actions in 2024
THE ALLIANCE of Small Island States (AOSIS) has noted the need to eclipse the progress of last year’s global efforts towards a safe climate future for small island developing states (SIDS).
According to AOSIS Chair, Fatumanava-o-Upolu III Dr Pa’olelei Luteru, there were some important gains from the international climate change talks (COP28), held in Dubai in December, and on which the world must now build.
“Certainly, decades of sacrifice and diligence culminated as the curtain opened on COP28 with the loss and damage fund centre stage, having finally been operationalised after over 30 years of SIDS’ advocacy,” he said in a February 15 statement.
“Indeed, there are varied emotions with regard to the final decision. We take heart in the historic text, which signals, for the first time, that countries will ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels. This is a critical gateway from which we will certainly forge a more ambitious path, towards phasing out fossil fuels once and for all,” he added.
Also important, he noted, is the adherence to the 1.5 temperature goal reflected in the Paris Agreement, which embodies country commitments to climate action.
“We went into COP28 making it clear that this cannot be the COP that kills 1.5. The fact that we achieved decision text which fundamentally keeps 1.5 degrees Celsius alive is testament to your inspiring commitment to our cause, ”the AOSIS chair added, referencing SIDS negotiators.
CHAMPIONING GOAL
Caribbean and other SIDS continue to champion the 1.5 temperature goal, given their particular vulnerability to climate risks and threats, including extreme hurricanes and droughts, which will be exacerbated should global temperatures be allowed to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
Going forward, Luteru maintained that decisions must also fully reflect the science.
“At the COP28 closing plenary, we spoke of the ‘litany of loopholes’ in the Global Stocktake text. Overall, we acknowledged that the text provides a strong direction for course correction in some areas, while in others we would have hoped for more transformational language on mitigation. We noted that it is not enough to make reference to the science – we cannot continue to make agreements which ignore what the science is telling us to do,” the AOSIS chair insisted.
“It is imperative that while we participate in international forums to work towards the global good, we continue to hold our partners to account for their actions which disproportionately affect our vulnerable communities,” Luteru said.
“We now set our sights firmly on the work that must be done this year to prepare for a COP29 that moves the dial forward, more than ever before, to address climate change,” he said further.
Also in the cards this year, Luteru added, is attention to the fourth Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), set for May, and which should inform the SIDS climate response.
“The theme of SIDS4 is ‘Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity’, and, without a doubt, climate change is inextricably linked to SIDS’ ability to capitalise on opportunities for their sustainable development,” he said.
“In the coming months, we will be working with our partners, including the government of Antigua and Barbuda, UNDESA, and UN-OHRLLS, and others to ensure the new 10-year action plan we create at SIDS4 will redound to the benefit of all our countries,” he added.