Ministers and regional representatives from Pacific Island nations have discussed a roadmap that will see the region transition away from fossil fuels, during Pre-COP 31 in Fiji.
The discussion, which was held in partnership with the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance (BOGA), saw ministers commit to a vision for 100% renewable energy across the Pacific, and follows on from the establishment of a Pacific Renewable Energy Commissioner at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, in August.
Energy security
“With climate impacts accelerating, instability rising, economies faltering and the fearsome reality of an overshoot to the 1.5C temperature limit approaching, it’s high time to transition away from fossil fuels,” commented Tina Stege, COP31 Pacific envoy and climate envoy for the Marshall Islands.
“The Pacific needs to end its dependency on fossil fuels for our own economic and energy security. We need every region of the globe to follow us in developing a roadmap to a cheaper, cleaner, healthier, secure low-carbon energy future, so we can secure our environmental safety too.”
Pacific Island nations have a history of collaboration and leadership when it comes to the environmental transition – in 2023, the Port Vila agreement called for a global phase-out of coal, oil and gas production, while the region played a key role in the agreement reached at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels.
‘Spearheaded the transition’
“The Pacific has, for a long time, spearheaded the transition away from fossil fuels,” commented Lynda Tabuya, minister for environment and climate change, Fiji. “From the call in Port Vila three years ago for a fossil-fuel free Pacific, to this year’s Pre-COP hosted in Fiji and Tuvalu, Pacific leaders have advocated tirelessly for a global energy transition.
“Keeping 1.5 alive is an existential need for us. I’m proud and humbled that Fiji is hosting this event, during which the process for a new, regional roadmap will be discussed. I look forward to the continued results of the
Pacific Community’s work.”
Both BOGA and the NDC Partnership have announced support for oil and gas-dependent economies developing transition roadmaps, while the Asian Development Bank has established a Just Transition Support Platform for the region.
The Asian Development Bank said its support would focus on ensuring a just transition for the region, identifying opportunities and developing feasible pathways that strengthen energy security, resilience and economic development.
“By strengthening the evidence base for policy dialogue and investment planning, we can help ensure that the benefits of transition are widely shared, while potential impacts on vulnerable groups are managed,” commented Yevgeniy Zhukov, director general, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), Asian Development Bank.
The discussions took place ahead of COP31, which will be hosted in Antalya this year, as well as the second International Conference on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels, which Tuvalu is due to host next July. Read more here.
