Pacific Island nations are urgently advocating for immediate action during COP30, emphasizing that limiting global warming to 1.5°C has shifted from a political goal to a scientific necessity. At the heart of the ongoing climate negotiations, Karlos Lee Moresi, Team Leader for Climate Finance and Resilience at the Pacific Islands Forum, outlined the key priorities for the region: restricting temperature rise, securing climate finance, safeguarding oceans, and amplifying Pacific voices in future dialogues.
Moresi pointed out that the call to limit temperature increase to 1.5°C is now rooted in scientific reality rather than political aspiration, stating, “Our number one priority has always been 1.5 degrees to stay alive.” He emphasized the urgent requirement for resources to support adaptation strategies, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by Pacific nations in accessing sufficient climate funding.
The importance of oceans was underscored in Moresi’s address; he described them as vital not only for the livelihoods of Pacific communities but also as crucial elements of the Earth’s ecological balance. “Oceans we see not just in terms of the livelihoods of the Pacific, but as the lungs of the universe,” he noted, reinforcing the region’s identity as the Blue Pacific encompassing vast ocean territories.
As discussions look ahead to COP31, which Australia plans to host, Moresi clarified that this event should be viewed as “a Pacific COP to be hosted by Australia.” He stressed the need to keep Pacific priorities, including ocean protection and access to climate finance mechanisms like the Pacific Resilience Facility, at the forefront of discussions.
Moresi also highlighted the strengthening of advocacy efforts through the legal backing provided by the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion, which underscores climate finance obligations and could significantly sway global climate action decisions.
While the complexities of negotiations persist, Pacific leaders remain committed to advancing their priorities, such as adaptation, climate finance, ocean protection, and social inclusion. Moresi remarked that various advocates for issues including gender equality and sustainability transitions are working to ensure these vital concerns are integrated into the outcomes of COP.
Regarding recent climate science warnings about a potential temporary rise above the 1.5°C threshold, as indicated by the World Meteorological Organization, Moresi reiterated the Pacific’s unwavering commitment to this critical target. He acknowledged advancements in renewable energy investments while calling for sustained efforts to align with the 1.5°C goal.
As COP30 unfolds, the Pacific Islands are pushing for a climate agenda focused on survival, financing access, and ocean stewardship. Their unified calls for action aim to ensure that the voices of some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are heard in the decisions that shape the global response to climate challenges, fostering hope for meaningful progress in safeguarding both their region and the planet.