BAKU, Monday 18 November 2024 — Pacific leaders have called on the Australian government to walk the talk on climate action and end new fossil fuel approvals, as Federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen arrives at the annual United Nations COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Pacific government representatives on the ground in Baku have urged the Australian government to “commit to stronger climate policies including mitigation”, as frustrations grow over recent coal and gas approvals, soaring fossil fuel subsidies, and major new projects in the pipeline including Woodside’s Burrub Hub gas project.
Analysis from Greenpeace Australia Pacific highlights the scale of climate pollution from the proposed Burrup Hub development which, over its proposed lifetime, would emit 125 times the annual emissions of all Pacific Island nations combined[1].
Hon. MP Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment at the Government of Vanuatu said: “As the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter, the Australian government is exporting climate destruction overseas — including to Pacific nations like Vanuatu who experience the most devastating impacts of the climate crisis, despite contributing the least. This is climate injustice.
“Australia is not acting in good faith by standing alongside Pacific leaders on the global stage and promoting its climate credentials, while at the same time approving new coal and gas projects. It is unacceptable that the emissions from a single gas project, the Burrup Hub, would dwarf the annual emissions of all Pacific nations combined.
“We urge the Australian government to do more to address the accelerating climate impacts we’re experiencing across the Pacific and the world, and to stand by its commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.”
Hon. Dr Maina Talia, Minister for Climate Change and Environment at the Government of Tuvalu said: “1.5 degrees is not just a number, it’s a lifeline for Pacific communities facing rising seas, accelerating extreme weather disasters, and the erosion of our cultures and way of life.
“A true partnership between Australia and Pacific nations to co-host COP31 presents an exciting opportunity to accelerate ambitious climate action in our region. But a commitment to ending new fossil fuels must lie at the heart of this — that means no new coal and gas, and a fair, fast phase out of all fossil fuels.
“We will continue to keep industrialised countries accountable for their actions and ensure it commits to stronger climate policies, including mitigation. Our future lies solely in their hands.”
Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, on the ground in Baku said: “At COP28 in Dubai last year, Australia stood alongside its Pacific vuvale and committed to transitioning away from all fossil fuels but since then, it has continued to greenlight new coal and gas projects and subsidise this destructive industry to the tune of billions every year.
“Woodside’s climate-wrecking Burrup Hub project is just one example of the major fossil fuel development currently undergoing federal approvals. We can not achieve a safe or stable climate without putting a stop to ongoing fossil fuel development and expansion.
“Australia will be judged by its actions, not its words. To be a true partner of the Pacific, we ask the government to genuinely respond to Pacific needs — this means a fair share of contributions to the Loss and Damage fund, ending fossil fuel approvals and subsidies, and accelerating the much-needed climate finance the Small Island Developing States are calling for.”
—ENDS—
[1] Using 2022 figures, and excluding French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and the Marshall Islands due to lack of available data. Burrub Hub emissions data available here.
Images available here
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kate O’Callaghan on 0406 231 892 or [email protected]
