A MONTH OF PACIFIC CLIMATE

LEADERSHIP

Halo Olgeta and Bula Vinaka!

This past month, we saw incredible climate leadership from Pacific countries, who continue to  demonstrate to the world that despite the existential threat of the climate crisis, a better, fossil-fuel free world is possible—one that is just, equitable, and sustainable. 
 
For decades, the Pacific has been the canary in the coal mine, warning the world of this crisis and demanding urgent climate action. Given the stark warnings from the recent IPCC 6th Assessment Synthesis Report, the Pacific understands what is at stake, and therefore continues to seek out all avenues to protect the human rights of those at the frontlines of the climate crisis and secure the survival, well-being, and security of the Pacific, the global community, and entire ecosystems. 

In 1991, Vanuatu, as the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), put forward the call for a Loss and Damage Fund (an insurance scheme) through the UNFCCC. In 2015, under the leadership of the Republic of Marshall Islands, they pushed for the inclusion of the “1.5 degrees and below” goal in the Paris Agreement (2015) by the High Ambition Coalition.
 
Last month, six Pacific Island countries called for a ‘Fossil Fuel Free Pacific’ as the outcome of a major Ministerial Dialogue hosted by the Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu. This decision seeks to transition the region away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, thereby reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels, improving energy security, and lessening greenhouse gas emissions. The Port Vila Call to Action urges Pacific Island countries to endorse and support initiatives such as the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and lead the creation of a global alliance to negotiate a new Treaty to govern the end to coal, oil and gas expansion, ensure its equitable phase out, and lead the global just transition. It also calls for Pacific countries to join the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance.
 
On the 29th of March, we witnessed a historic moment of climate diplomacy at the UN General Assembly in New York, when 132 UN member states voted through consensus to adopt the Resolution that had been championed by the Government of Vanuatu, the ICJAO core group, and civil society from the Pacific and across the globe. The Resolution was to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, clarifying the legal obligations of states to address climate change and the rights of people affected by its impacts. The Pacific has been at the forefront of this initiative because it recognizes the need for strong legal frameworks to address climate change.
 
The governments of Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands continue to push for a mandatory $100/ton GHG levy through the International Maritime Organization negotiations, emphasising the need for urgent action to reduce emissions. This demand recognizes that the costs of inaction far outweigh the costs of action.
 
The Pacific's vulnerability to climate change means that it has a moral obligation to lead on this issue and to ensure that the world takes decisive action to address climate change.
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Lavetanalagi Seru 
Regional Policy Coordinator
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN)

BLOC OF 6 PACIFIC COUNTRIES CHART THE COURSE TOWARDS A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE​​​​​

The Pacific once again takes the helm in climate action with the success of the recent Ministerial Dialogue held in Port Vila, Vanuatu from March 15-17. The discussions happened in the aftermath of two back-to-back Category 4 cyclones, an unprecedented event even for a country named the most vulnerable to natural hazards. 

At the close of the three-day discussion, Ministers and officials from a bloc of six Pacific countries – Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, and the Solomon Islands – agreed on an outcome resolution, named the 'Port Vila Call to Action for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific', which outlined the following commitments:

1. Adopt a declaration for a just transition towards a ‘Fossil Fuel Free Pacific’;

2. Spearhead a global fossil fuel phaseout, including at the UNSG Summit and COP28;

3. Join the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, and urge major oil & gas companies to sign on;

4. Call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and lead the creation of a global alliance for its negotiation; and

5. Lobby for the adoption of Vanuatu’s resolution seeking an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice. (Two weeks after the meeting, this has already been successfully adopted at the UN General Assembly — see below for more!)

Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu applauded the document, stating: “We see a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific as the only future possible that will ensure the survival of our islands from the ravages of climate change.” Samoan climate activist Suluafi Brianna Fruean added: "This dialogue of Pacific Ministers is stepping outside of the box and acknowledging that we must try new ways to save ourselves – and that is going to require a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty."

LATEST IPCC REPORT UNDERSCORES URGENCY OF IMMEDIATE FOSSIL FUEL PHASEOUT

Just days after the Ministerial Dialogue in Vanuatu, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Cycle and its Summary for Policymakers. It confirmed what we already knew—in order to limit global heating to 1.5°C to contain worst-case climate change scenarios, we must immediately begin a managed global transition away from fossil fuels. This would entail ending the proliferation of new fossil fuel projects and phasing out coal, oil, and gas globally in a way that is fast, fair, and financed. 

The UN Secretary-General’s speech offered a glimmer of hope, stressing that limiting warming to 1.5ºC was still within reach, but it would need “climate action on all fronts—everything, everywhere, all at once.” Tzeporah Berman, Chair of the Treaty Initiative, reinforced this need with a pointed demand: “This IPCC report once again throws reality in our faces: our house is on fire, so it is past time for world leaders to stand up to their responsibilities and stop pouring gas to fuel the fire.”​​​​

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ADVISORY OPINION ON CLIMATE CHANGE FROM WORLD’S HIGHEST COURT​​​​​

In a historic vote, Vanuatu’s resolution seeking an advisory opinion on climate change was approved by consensus at the UN General Assembly. The idea for the movement began in a law classroom in Vanuatu, and was then adopted by the Vanuatu government, who worked quickly to secure the international support needed to make this decision a reality. The world’s highest court must now clarify the obligations of nation states towards present and future generations who have or will suffer significant climate harm. Alex Rafalowicz, Executive Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said, “As the world is at a critical crossroads with a shrinking window to act, there is an undeniable role for the international courts to embolden the fight for climate justice and human rights."

BRUSSELS GROUP MOBILISES FIRST FOSSIL FUEL TREATY RALLY OF 2023​​​​​

Rise for Climate Belgium organised the first climate strike of the year specifically demanding a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty in Brussels, Belgium. People gathered as European Heads of State met at a European Council Summit to discuss the current energy crisis in the region. In preparation for the event, the Brussels Press Club TV hosted a press conference to explain why a Fossil Fuel Treaty is the missing mechanism so urgently needed. 

H.E Barbara Trachte, Brussels Secretary of State for Economic Transition and Scientific Research spoke about how the European capital was backing up their commitments with concrete climate measures. “With these examples, I wanted to show you that this call for a Treaty is relevant and necessary, but it’s also realistic,” she said. Svitlana Romanko of Razom We Stand, also offered her perspective from Ukraine, saying: “It will also end the war in my country, I believe, if the European Union will impose the full sanctions, and won’t be looking to expand gas infrastructure to keep business as usual.”

If you’re organising a strike or mobilisation and would like support to add the Fossil Fuel Treaty as a specific demand, feel free to get in touch via campaign@fossilfueltreaty.org.

OIL SPILL IN THE PHILIPPINES A DISASTER FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES

A devastating oil spill off the coast of Mindoro is grim proof of the consequences of fossil fuel dependency for vulnerable nations in the Global South. In February, a subsidiary of San Miguel Shipping and Lighterage Corporation chartered the capsized tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil. A month since then, authorities have recorded a total of 17 municipalities, or over 140,000 individuals, who were affected by the disaster—which poses threats not only to the economy and livelihoods of nearby fisherfolk, but also to the health and food security of coastal communities, as well as surrounding tropical marine ecosystems. More details on how you can help victims of the oil spill from our allies at Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines can be found here.

IN THE MEDIA

March was a month of extensive treaty coverage in major outlets, thanks to historic climate leadership across the Pacific, as well as the recent IPCC findings:

• The Guardian published a news feature on the ministerial dialogue in Vanuatu, putting emphasis on the backing of a block of 6 Pacific nations for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

• Minister Ralph Regenvanu penned an op-ed for Reuters on the need for climate action following the State of Emergency declaration due to the twin cyclones. He said, “We need international mechanisms like the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to end the expansion of fossil fuels while phasing out existing production and providing the global governance required to manage this transition in a way that is fair, fast and sufficiently financed.”

• He also wrote a powerful personal piece in The New Statesman rejecting climate doomism from the IPCC report, demanding stronger commitments against fossil fuels, and emphasising why losing his country was not an option.

• Minister Regenvanu teamed up with Minister Seve Paeniu of Tuvalu for another opinion piece in The Guardian highlighting Pacific islanders’ strong resilience to climate impacts, and stressing the urgency for an end to fossil fuel dependence.

• Business Insider also covered the Pacific’s call for a Treaty, stating that “such an agreement could be the difference between the survival or extinction of places like Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.” Tzeporah Berman added, ”This is one of the first examples of governments coming together and having the courage to call for a global phaseout of fossil fuels in line with climate science.”

• Energy Monitor posed the question of whether it was time for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. (Spoiler: It is.) 

• The Washington Post cited Vanuatu’s many climate initiatives, including the Fossil Fuel Treaty and the ICJAO campaign.

• Minister Regenvanu illustrated the connection between the two initiatives in an interview with Associated Press, adding that the “advisory opinion could push for stronger legal measures like negotiating a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty or criminalizing ‘climate destroying activities.’”

• In an Al Jazeera news feature on Greta Thunberg’s upcoming lawsuit against Sweden for their “insufficient climate policy”, Executive Director Alex Rafalowicz slammed the “lack of political will that prevents us from acting boldly to reverse this crisis.”

• The Treaty proposal was mentioned in David Wallace-Wells’ excellent New York Times piece on the Willow Project.

• Multiple Pacific outlets like RNZ Pacific, Pasifika News Rising, and Pacific News Service also covered the Ministerial Dialogue.

• The Brussels Times reported on the year’s first Fossil Fuel Treaty rally in Belgium.

• Reverend James Bhagwan, Pacific Treaty champion, spoke to Mirage News praising Pacific resilience, stating: “We persist; battered by extreme weather, our island nations are joining the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

• Tzeporah Berman penned an article for Energy Central on why we need a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.​​​

SOCIALS WORTH SHARING

Together with Voyager Pacific, we launched powerful new videos in our Treaty Talanoa series, and documented the ministerial dialogue in a two-part feature hosted by Suluafi Brianna Fruean:

• Treaty Talanoa: Joseph Sikulu

• Treaty Talanoa: Okalani Mariner

• Vanuatu Ministerial Introduction

• Vanuatu Ministerial Highlights

Over 20 high profile Treaty champions collaborated to communicate the urgency of climate action based on the recent IPCC report, and called for a Fossil Fuel Treaty:

• Gemma Styles & Mikaela Loach

• Tori Tsui & Feminist

• Jessica Kleczka & Gwilym Pugh

• Rhea Norwood & Lauren MacDonald

• Danielle Sams & Intersectional Environmentalist

• Life before Plastic

• Finisterre & Francesca Willow

• Abdourahamane Ly & Earthly Education

• Greenpeace UK & Domi Palmer

• George Monbiot & Earthly Education

• Dr. Genevieve Guenther

• EarthPercent

• Kumi Naidoo

• Alexandra Richards 

Mitzi Jonelle Tan delivered a keynote address at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue demanding loss and damage finance, and calling for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

This month’s Sixty-Second Stories featured Mitzi Jonelle Tan of YACAP Philippines and Emma Håkansson of Collective Fashion Justice.

TedxLondon released a Climate Quickie asking experts to weigh in on what gives them hope following the IPCC report, in which Jessica Kleczka cited the Fossil Fuel Treaty.

Tzeporah Berman guested on a TED Countdown video, calling this the “last gasp of the fossil fuel industry.”

UPCOMING EVENTS