Fiji calls for Climate Solidarity amongst States at Global Virtual Summit

Brussels, BELGIUM: Fiji’s envoy to the European Union and COP23 Envoy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) co-hosted a global virtual platform to raise awareness amongst States to raise climate target ambitions for the direct benefit of countries who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Speaking at a virtual climate summit organised by the Climate Action Network (CAN) and the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) at the European Parliament, Ambassador Saran highlighted the importance of all parties standing together in solidarity. The Summit, held in response to the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the climate envoy echoed the stance by the COP23 Presidency on the need for parties to take action.

“We need to use this global platform for national leaders to raise climate ambition and step up their NDCs, stand in solidarity with those vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change, and reinforce efforts under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 ºC. The goals of the Paris Agreement are not yet out of reach, but to achieve them will require a realignment of our priorities and an unprecedented global mobilization to deliver much stronger NDCs that are in line with this target and a universal commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest”, Ambassador Saran said.

“Excellencies, 1.5 degrees limit has a special resonance for the Climate Vulnerable Forum countries, we are made up of 48 of the world’s countries most vulnerable to climate change. Our survival depends on the willingness of all countries to make the transition needed to get us on 1.5°C compatible net zero emissions pathways as soon as possible”.

The first of its kind, the Virtual Climate Summit provides a platform for the leaders of all nations to take into account the landmark IPCC report on warming of 1.5°C and commit to bold action to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C. In the face of the climate crisis, the participating leaders will publish a joint declaration.

Heads of States and government representatives from several European countries, including Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, are participating in the Virtual Forum. They acknowledge the ever more severe impacts of climate change, and the need for urgent action to keep temperature rise to 1.5°C to protect the vulnerable communities all over the world.

At this event, Ambassador Saran also proposed on how the European Union can play a crucial role in raising ambition targets amongst EU member states.

“The EU can play a crucial role at COP24 by significantly increasing its nationally determined contribution to show leadership; supporting a robust rulebook for the Paris Agreement and financial support to enable developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. Through this Summit, we encourage the EU to stand together with the Vulnerable Countries and commit to better climate policies.”

The official outcome of the Summit will feed into the “Talanoa Dialogue,” the agreed mechanism of the Paris Agreement to promote enhanced action by all nations, and sends a powerful call to arms to all leaders and non-state actors to enhance ambition.