by Puaseiese A Pedro, Office of Prime Minister Tuvalu
The COP28 Energy package is significant for Pacific island countries, and as the 2025 Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR) continues in Samoa, the Pacific is calling for stronger global action and finance to meet the 1.5°C goal.
The COP28 Energy package refers to a set of agreements and pledges made at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels and accelerating the global energy transition.
Describing COP28 outcomes as “a major achievement by the co-presidency, who actually put such an energy package together,” Mr. Espen Ronneberg, Senior Advisor, Climate Change Multilateral Agreements of the Pacific Community (SPC), outlined how the package encourages a rapid scale-up of renewable energy, a phase-down of unabated coal, transitions to net-zero energy systems, and accelerated deployment of zero and low-emission technologies.
He also emphasised the need for substantial reductions in methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases and for cleaner transport systems.
“We need to have all NDCs going towards a 1.5 degree pathway,” Mr. Ronneberg said, noting that while Pacific NDCs are ambitious, the global response must strengthen to change the trajectory of warming.
He pointed to the New Collective Quantified Goal on finance agreed at COP28 as a crucial mechanism that can enable developing countries to implement energy transitions and other mitigation measures.
Mr. Ronneberg also called on the PCCR to consider the special circumstances of small island developing states when turning global commitments into action.
“How can we put some more meat on the bones to try and find ways by which the special circumstances are actually reflected in international decisions?” he asked.
He concluded by urging practical group work at the Roundtable to ensure that international decisions on energy and mitigation are operational, equitable and effective for the Pacific.
The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR), guided by the theme “1.5 to stay alive and thrive,” is taking place at Taumeasina Island Resort from 13-15 August. The PCCR is attended by Pacific governments, youths, civil society, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to engage collectively through the use of interactive activities to share their experiences amongst peers, bolster their networks and utilise the event to initiate new partnership opportunities.
The PCCR follows the Pacific Regional Loss and Damage Dialogue 2025 and the inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, at the same venue in Samoa.
This story was produced by the Pacific Media Team covering the meetings. Their attendance is made possible with funding support from the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project with the Government of New Zealand.