“We must not shy away from demanding climate justice for all.”
Fiji’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga made the comment in Nadi yesterday as he officially opened the Regional Writeshop on Pacific Island Countries’ Submissions to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.
He said it was encouraging to have many high-level officials from across the Pacific dedicated to the cause, noting some 16 governments demonstrating the importance of climate justice for the region.
Mr Turaga said this climate cause started with the General Assembly Resolution requesting an advisory opinion of the ICJ on the obligations of States in respect of climate change.
He said the widespread co-sponsorship of this resolution, adopted by consensus, signaled a strong and unambiguous commitment by nations across the globe to abide by existing climate obligations under international law.
“I do not need to reiterate just how critical this case is for our region; without successful, urgent international climate cooperation, we are at the frontlines of some of the worst outcomes possible from the climate crisis,” the Fijian A-G said.
“Where the Pacific goes in relation to addressing the imminent threat of climate change, or lack thereof, is where the rest of the world will follow.
“If the global community does not stand together to curb the threat of greenhouse gas emissions, small island developing States will bear the brunt of extreme weather events, land loss and degradation, sea level rise, coastal erosion, ocean acidification, etc.
“We know what this means for our communities—increased displacement of affected persons, threats to food security, water availability, livelihoods and much, much more.”
Mr Turaga said to address climate change remained the challenge of this lifetime and Pacific communities were at the centre of the crisis.
“It is increasingly recognised as an urgent human rights issue, and we can continue to make those connections clear with the work that will happen in this room this week.”
