Australia Says It’s Committed to Addressing Climate Change
The Australian Assistant Defence Minister and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Alex Hawke has reaffirmed Australia’s commitment on climate change. The Australian minister made this remark when he was asked to comment on whether climate change was seen as an emergency as it has been portrayed in Pacific Island nations.
“Whatever language you use, the Pacific feels the impact of climate change more than any other countries,” Minister Hawke told the Vanuatu Nightly News
(VNN) team in an exclusive interview.
“The issue is what we are doing. Whether we are responsive and listening. You will find Australia responsive and listening.”
He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment
on climate change in the Pacific, saying Australia takes the impacts of climate change in the Pacific very seriously.
“Australia very much wants to partner and work on these issues.”
He further added: “Pacific Island countries feel impact of climate change more than other countries do. The issues are real. The mitigations are real. The adaptations are real. The Boe declaration is a reality.
“Australia always meets its international targets. We are a good international player. We take the environment seriously.
“Australia signed to the Boe Declaration and invested in regional security and that involves climate change, water security and food security,” said Minister Hawke.