Pacific Climate Justice Summit 2022

UNA Fiji members attended the two-day Pacific Climate Justice Summit 2022 held via the Suva Hub at Level 3 MAST Conference Room.

The two-day Conference saw stakeholders from CSOs, inter-governmental agencies and international bodies.

Discussions on the first day surrounded the topic of "Loss and damages in the Pacific Community: demands for Justice" The forum noted that the G20 accounts for 80% of the global emissions and Australia provides 45% of the world's global coal.

Keynote speakers acknowledged the international community's response to the current situation is 'lukewarm'. However, there was a strong call for more Climate Justice for vulnerable people and communities such as coastal communities, SOGIESC communities and persons living with disabilities.

The impact of climate change is not equally felt by everyone - Pacific Island Nations face more vulnerabilities than anyone.

The second day of discussions saw more discussions of loss and damage in the Pacific with more speakers sharing their stories and the need for more commitment to climate financing to address mitigation and adaptation.

Moreover, discussions around Loss and damages in the Pacific also linked the irreversibility of cultural heritage lost through climate change. It was also noted that the 'willful greed' of capitalism and wealthy elites further exacerbated Climate change-induced disasters.

In his closing remarks, H.E. Dr. Mr. Brian Jones posed a question to the CSO movement to contemplate what comes after the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice to Vanuatu which seeks to gain clarity on how existing International Laws can be applied to strengthen action on climate change, protect people and the environment and save the Paris Agreement. His Excellency informed the forum that the advisory opinion is non-binding.

With Class, Dignity, & Elegance –

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