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Friday, 18 October 2024 00:00

Pacific Islands Prepare Significant Climate Case at UN Court

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VOInews, Port Vila: On Thursday, five Pacific nations outlined steps to bring a landmark case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to hold major polluting countries accountable and to safeguard the survival of their islands.
The ICJ will commence hearings on December 2 to assess countries' climate obligations and determine whether they can be held liable for failing to take action. This case is seen as a crucial step for small nations severely impacted by climate change to push for real change.
 
Vanuatu's Attorney General, Arnold Kiel Loughman, described the case as having "immense significance" and emphasized that it could empower smaller nations affected by climate issues. “It is directly related to our lives, as climate change affects weather patterns, land, seas, and the environment where we live,” Loughman told AFP on Thursday.
 
This week, Loughman met with his counterparts from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and Tuvalu to discuss the case, prepare legal arguments, and consult with experts. The meeting aimed to strengthen their legal strategy in court.
 
Despite numerous international forums addressing climate change, Loughman believes that concrete actions remain insufficient. “For small island nations like ours, we have yet to see much in the way of real action,” he added.
 
The Pacific islands, which contribute less than 0.02 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the regions most vulnerable to climate impacts, such as rising sea levels. According to World Bank data, Vanuatu emitted just 121,000 tons of carbon dioxide in 2020, far lower than its neighbor, Australia, which produced 379 million tons.
 
“Our region has long borne the brunt of climate change's worst effects, while our contribution to this crisis is minimal,” Loughman stressed. He estimated that the nation of approximately 313,000 people would need around USD 1.2 billion by 2030 for climate adaptation, mitigation, and covering related losses.
 
Fiji’s Attorney General, Graham Leung, emphasized that the case is “not just a legal matter, but a matter of survival.” NASA analysis shows that many Pacific nations will face a rise in sea levels of at least 15 centimeters over the next 30 years, a serious concern given that 90 percent of their populations live within five kilometers of the coastline.
 
Source: AFP
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