3 December 2023 UAE - The climate change realities experienced by Tuvalu were laid bare before world leaders during the high-level segment of the UN Climate Conference now underway in Dubai. Hon Prime Minister Kausea Natano shared experiences felt by his country as one of over 100 world leaders present at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention for the high-level segment.
Each time Tuvalu experiences monthly high-tides, 40 percent of the land on Funafuti is covered by sea water intrusion. Funafuti, home to approximately 60 - 70 percent of Tuvalu’s population is the capital, one of nine islands that make up the Pacific nation. With a population of approximately 11,000 the nine islands of Tuvalu consist of four coral reef islands, and five atoll islands.
“As we reflect back to the transformative spirit of our Agenda 2030, we recall in 2015 that the 2030 Agenda envisages a ‘world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realisation of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity’,” stated Hon Prime Minister Natano.
“That spirit is now waning as the scientific evidence attests to a pathway of an increase in the global average temperature to well above 2 C, above pre-industrial levels. For a country with the highest point of about 2 metres above sea levels, we just could not afford to waste one day. So, sea level rise is no longer something that we are expecting to happen in the future, as we speak now, it is happening in my country.”
The Pacific Islands region contributes to less than 0.03 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions but are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Despite this, Tuvalu has been proactive displaying climate leadership as the Pacific Island works to address climate change in to help enhance the survival of Tuvaluans.
A Long-Term Adaptation Plan (L-TAP) – Te Lafiga for Tuvalu is now being developed for which the Pacific Island is seeking funds to help realise this. There is also the Rising Nation Initiative which has expanded into C-SET to include all nations that are affective by sea level rise, as the fossil fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to phase down new oil drillings, coal and gas for which Tuvalu supports.
In November this year at the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Treaty, Tuvalu and Australia announced the Falepili Union Treaty with Australia opening a migration pathway for Tuvaluans. Prime Minister Natano stressed this treaty is not a solution, but a response, a platform prepared for the people of Tuvalu.
“I come to this COP with high hopes and refer to COP28 as a ‘COP of Hope’. The priority of the Tuvaluan people is to stay and continue living on our God-given land. Therefore, we need not only hope and reassurance, but determined action,” presented Hon Prime Minister Natano.
“Every initiative, every dollar, every commitment, and any assistance to fight against this existential threat is very much needed.”
The Tuvalu Prime Minister Hon Prime Minister Kausea Natano spoke before world leaders during the High-Level Segment of the UNFCCC COP28 on 2 December 2023.
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai, UAE is taking place from Thursday 30 November 2023 – Tuesday 12 December 2023.
It is being attended by Pacific leaders and their delegations, who are advocating for the survival of Pacific communities who continue to be at the forefront of climate change impacts.
A key part of amplifying the One Pacific Voice at COP28 is the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, which is a Pacific partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Another key part of the Pacific’s work at COP28 is the Pacific Delegation Office, which is Pacific partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand. Both the Moana Pacific Pavilion and the Pacific Delegation Office are managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).