Press release – 7 September, 2015Port Moresby, 8 September 2015: The Abbott government is failing its Pacific neighbours and embarrassing itself internationally over its fossil fuel-driven, isolationist stance on climate change, the CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter, said today.Pacific leaders yesterday published the Suva Declaration containing a call for a global moratorium on new coal mines, and other urgent action on climate change.
“Tony Abbott’s bizarre love affair with the dirty coal industry is in total contrast to the sober assessment of the Pacific Island leaders that the days of an expanding coal industry are over.
“As the wealthiest nation in the region, Australia should be showing leadership and responsibility, not turning its back.
“Mr Abbott’s irresponsibility on climate change is unquestionably damaging Australia’s reputation in the region,” said Mr Ritter.
Mr. Ritter was speaking in Port Moresby at the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Pacific civil society organisations to discuss the urgent threat of climate change and other priorities. The organisations are urging the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting this week to issue a strongly-worded declaration demanding effective action on climate change ahead of the Paris climate talks.
“We hope that Pacific leaders will send the strongest possible message to the Paris meeting to reduce fossil fuel reliance and adopt more stringent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“In the past, we have seen Australia shamefully do its utmost to water down any sort of declaration on climate change from the Pacific leaders. The Abbott government must stop putting fossil fuel industry interests ahead of the survival of Pacific Islanders.
“We’re already seeing Pacific communities lose their land and their homes through climate change. This is a growing humanitarian crisis that will only undermine regional stability and security if it is not adequately dealt with.
“Currently, there are vastly inadequate pledges from countries – including Australia – to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming to under 1.5 degrees to safeguard Pacific nations. The current pledges would lead to 3 or more degrees of warming, which is unacceptable.
“Australia is the second largest exporter of coal and the highest consumer of coal per capita. We have an international obligation to lead in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, not frustrate effective global action,” said Mr. Ritter.