Australian PM Scott Morrison will announce a $500 million ‘climate change package’ at the the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tuvalu this week. He outlined $500 million over five years, starting in 2020, to help Pacific nations invest in renewable energy and ‘climate and disaster resilience’. The decision comes at a time when the administration is facing criticisms for its lack of action against climate change – home and away.
“The Pacific is our home, which we share as a family of nations. We’re here to work with our Pacific partners to confront the potential challenges they face in the years ahead,” said the prime minister. The funding package, which will use existing aid funds to help Pacific nations invest in renewable energy and climate and disaster resilience. Morrison will face strong pressure from other Pacific leaders when he arrives in Tuvalu on Wednesday, many of whom have already issued warnings that they want commitments from Australia at this forum for concrete action to reduce emissions and to move away from coal-fired power.
More than money:
Several climate change activists, those fighting to protect the Pacific nations have said they want more than money from Australia. Claire Anterea, co-founder of the Kiribati Climate Action Network, says the situation in the Pacific is ‘not about cash’, but about action. They want Australia to express serious commitment in reducing coal emissions and more effective policies which aim at protecting the region.
