COP 27 told that Solomon Islands cannot afford nor wish to pass on the struggle with climate change consequences to its next generation
“MY country is in a constant mode of recovery from weather extremes that are driven by climate change,” said the head of Solomon Islands delegation to the United Nations Climate Change summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Delivering Solomon Islands National Statement to the High-level segment of the 27th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), the Minister of Forestry and Research who heads the Solomon Islands delegation to the summit, Dickson Panakitasi Mua, highlighted the recent impact of a weather-related trough a week ago in Solomon Islands which caused significant flooding that destroyed homes, food gardens and transport infrastructure.
‘Science is unequivocal, and the impacts of climate change are clear across the globe and at precedented levels. This is a burden that we are already struggling with and we cannot afford nor wish to pass on to our next generation,” Minister Mua said.
On that note, he urged all parties to remain within the 1.5 degrees and to do so, he underscored that global coal use must fall between 67 percent and 82 percent by 2030 and effectively stop by 2050 across all sectors.
He said inefficient fossil fuel subsidies must be phased out and more investment must be made to accelerate low carbon development pathways and build climate resilience.
Minister Mua also stressed the importance of loss and damage as a key priority for Solomon Islands coming into this Climate Change Conference.
He reminded parties to take decision to established a loss and damage fund at this COP and commit to operationalised the fund by COP28 in 2023.
On the issue of finance, the head of the Solomon Islands delegation urged developed country parties to fulfill their promise and deliver on the 100-billion-dollar-goal without any further delays.
He stressed that financial assistance from the climate change financial mechanism under the UNFCCC can only be relevant to Solomon Islands if they further simplify access procedures and deliver grant-based financing for adaptation that is, fit for purpose and impactful right down to indigenous who have proven to be the most effective guardians of the nature and ocean.
“Climate change is inextricably linked to ocean change and the increasing risks presented by climate change threatens the health and values of our ocean, our economic prosperity, identity and livelihoods.”
Minister Mua said the ocean must be given equal recognition and greater prominence in the UNFCCC, adding that ‘for us, climate change is ocean change.’
He urged world leaders to put their differences aside and ensure that this COP delivers on its vision as the implementation COP because beyond these walls, millions throughout the world, including ‘ our very own children that we left at home are eagerly waiting for a positive outcome from Sharm El Sheikh.’
