Pacific island states are urging wealthy nations to deliver ambitious, detailed climate plans before September to prevent global temperatures from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Pacific island states warned that delays by wealthy countries in submitting climate action plans are increasing the risk to vulnerable nations.
- The United Nations asked all countries to submit new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by September after most missed the February deadline.
- Several island nations are pursuing legal action to hold rich countries accountable for their insufficient climate efforts under international law.
Key quote:
“We have voiced again and again the reality that we face: our islands’ safety depends on your collective commitments to take decisive action. The only question now is: what will you do with that knowledge?”
— Pacific island states, in a letter to developed nations
Why this matters:
The climate crisis is already hitting Pacific island nations hard, as rising seas, stronger storms, and dwindling freshwater supplies reshape daily life. Small island nations contribute little to global emissions but stand on the frontlines of climate change, facing threats to their economies, cultures, and even physical existence. Rich countries, responsible for the bulk of historical greenhouse gas emissions, have pledged to limit warming and fund adaptation efforts but often fall short. The failure to meet climate finance targets or to submit serious emissions reduction plans endangers not only island nations but global systems of food, trade, and security. Scientists warn that surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius could tip natural systems into collapse, creating feedback loops of destruction and forcing millions to migrate.
Related: Tiny island nation challenges the world’s climate failure in court
