KI MUA:

As governments convene in Cook Islands for the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, “Ki Mua: Towards a just transition for the Pacific” outlines the pathways for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific. The report reveals that a full decarbonisation of Pacific economies requires the Global North to take responsibility for their historical emissions by providing international climate finance to build Pacific renewable energy sectors.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 8th November — Amidst the urgent call for global climate action, the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Cook Islands serves as the backdrop for the unveiling of the groundbreaking report, "Ki Mua: Towards a Just Transition for the Pacific." This report charts a transformative path toward renewable energy adoption and equitable development for Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

The report's conclusion underscores the immense value of a global phase-out of fossil fuels, highlighting the profound benefits this transition holds for the Pacific region. A renewable energy transition for 8 Pacific countries would cost less than a billion US dollars—1/7th the amount of money that Australia gave to the fossil fuel industry in handouts and tax breaks in 2022-23 and less than 0.5% of the windfall profits the world’s top 5 fossil fuel companies made last year alone. With the imperative to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, a fast and fair end to coal, oil, and gas expansion emerges as a lifeline against an array of climate threats.

Key findings of the report include:

• The 15 largest greenhouse gas emitting nations are responsible for 71.88% of all annual global emissions, while the 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are responsible for just a fraction of a percentage of annual global emissions.

• The upfront estimated cost of replacing all existing fossil fuel electricity generation in the eight PICs profiled in this report—Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, and Tuvalu—ranges from $691 million USD to just over $1 billion USD, depending on the specific technology mix.

• A full decarbonisation of Pacific economies will lead to benefits quite apart from the obvious climate mitigation gains, including in the areas of public health, energy accessibility and economic development, disaster resilience, political independence, and global climate mitigation advocacy.

• A just transition must go beyond replacing one technology with another, and encompass a holistic approach to economic development in the Pacific, characterised by economic diversification, poverty eradication, decentralised renewable energy systems, and the retraining and redeployment of fossil fuel workers.

• A genuine and full energy transition in the Pacific will not be possible without Global North nations providing substantial climate finance and expertise sharing in relevant sectors.

Pressure is mounting on Pacific leaders, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to unite in the call for a fossil fuel phaseout as they convene in Rarotonga to discuss the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent aimed at creating a resilient Pacific Region.

Fossil-fuelled climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific. Australia, which is seeking to host the 2026 UN climate conference with Pacific nations, faces controversy for being one of the world's biggest exporters of coal and liquefied natural gas. Additionally, just this week, the opposition backed an alarming new bill which would allow carbon dioxide to be pumped into international waters.

While the Pacific bears minimal responsibility for the climate crisis—only contributing a fraction of a percentage of annual global emissions—it confronts barriers such as upfront costs, technology gaps, and limited access to expertise. International climate finance, funded by those most historically responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions, is vital to enable the Pacific region to build robust renewable energy sectors towards a fossil fuel-free future.

In March, a bloc of six Pacific island countries, including Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Fiji, launched the “Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific” which urged Pacific and global leaders to spearhead the global phase out of coal oil, and gas, and commit to leading the global alliance to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to govern the end to fossil fuel expansion and a global just transition.

Hon. Seve Paeniu, Tuvalu’s Minister of Finance and Climate Change, in the report’s foreword, wrote:

“Decades ago, Pacific Island leaders and communities were the first to raise the alarm about the impacts of climate change. It is high time for wealthy, fossil fuel producing countries that are largely responsible for the climate emergency to take the lead in phasing out fossil fuels, and support our countries in the shift towards renewable energy. Embarking on a global clean energy revolution will require significant international cooperation, in particular addressing the critical need for substantial climate finance, as well as providing technical assistance to our nations. A just transition plan for the Pacific must be comprehensive and holistic, accounting for all impacts associated with the energy transition, including those flowing from renewable energy uptake.”

Dr. Nikola Čašule, lead author of the Ki Mua Report, said:

“This report demonstrates how the energy transition can be a win-win for the Pacific, if it is implemented through a holistic approach to economic development, characterised by economic diversification, poverty eradication, decentralised renewable energy systems, and the retraining and redeployment of fossil fuel workers. While the climate will undoubtedly win from this move, a full decarbonisation of Pacific economies will lead to many other co-benefits including in the areas of public health, energy accessibility and economic development, disaster resilience, political independence, and global climate mitigation advocacy. For this to happen successfully Global North nations must follow the Pacific's lead in decarbonisation; further contribute substantial climate finance and expertise sharing in relevant sectors; and ensure that Pacific Island Countries remain in control of how their untapped key Energy Transition Metal resources are utilised.”

Auimatagi Joe Moeono-Kolio, Chief Advisor, Pacific, of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said:

“The launch of ‘Ki Mua: Towards a Just & Equitable Transition for the Pacific’ marks a milestone in the Pacific's journey towards a resilient and equitable future. As leaders convene at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, the report's insights galvanise collective efforts to combat the climate crisis, foster sustainable growth, and honor the Pacific's commitment to a fossil fuel-free future. In the past year, Australia has handed out 7 billion USD to the fossil fuel industry. That’s 7x the amount of money it would take to fund a renewable energy transition for 8 Pacific countries. If Australia wants to host COP31 as a “Pacific COP”, then the first step is to start caring for Pacific peoples and stand with us instead of blocking the Pacific’s efforts as it has done for decades. It is clear that a just and equitable transition is possible—but we need international climate finance to pave the way, and international cooperation through a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to govern the phaseout of fossil fuels. Australia must decide whether it is a genuine Pacific nation that stands with the rest of our region, or continue to profit off our demise. It’s that simple.”

Joseph Sikulu, Pacific Regional Managing Director of 350.org, said:

“In Tonga, Ki Mua means to go forward. In our work, going forward means that we leave no-one behind. This report highlights just how much our communities are being left behind. The 15 largest emitting nations are responsible for over 70% of the world’s emissions, whilst 14 of our Pacific nations combined are responsible for less than a fraction of 1%. The Pacific’s supposed neighbour, Australia, is the world’s third largest exporter of fossil fuels and now looks to partner with the Pacific to host COP31. If Australia and New Zealand are to have meaningful climate engagement with the Pacific at this Pacific Islands Forum, there is a responsibility to end the region’s reliance on fossil fuels and resource the finance mechanisms that will help support a just and equitable energy transition for the Pacific. The world is ready for a just renewable energy revolution, and the Pacific cannot get left behind.”

Notes for media:

1. The report was produced for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and written by Dr. Nikola Čašule, Dr. Alex Edney-Browne and Raeed Ali.

2. The full report is available to read and download here.

3. For a full list of civil society demands for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, refer to this document produced by Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN).

4. Download report graphics, animations and charts here.

About the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. Cities such as Vancouver and Barcelona have already endorsed the Treaty with more considering motions to endorse. Hundreds of organizations representing thousands more individuals join the call for world leaders to stop fossil fuel expansion.

For more information on the Initiative, please visit the website, explore our Campaign Hub and view the introduction video.

Media contacts:

Becca Galvez, Strategic Communications Associate

(Cook Islands / GMT-10) becca@fossilfueltreaty.org +63 917 550 0819

Michael Poland, Campaigns Director

(Australia / GMT+11) michael@fossilfueltreaty.org +61 419 581 748