A question of survival: why Australia and New Zealand must heed the Pacific’s calls for stronger action on climate change

Report for the 46th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Port Moresby, September 2015

This report outlines the need for increased political action from the goverments of Australia and New Zealand ahead of the critical climate change negotiations in Paris, and in the wake of the series of severe climate-related disasters in the Pacific. It calls for the two countries to join with Pacific Island leaders in a strong political statement that clearly communicates the minimum requirements for a new international climate agreement if it is to ensure the survival of all Pacific Island Forum members.

Australia and New Zealand are surrounded by some of the most vulnerable countries to climate change on earth. The reports urges that the Australian and New Zealand governments need to fully recognise the dangers facing Pacific Island countries and territories, and work hand-in-hand as a united Pacific towards solutions. As a first step it maintains that Australia and New Zealand must increase their climate targets and take action consistent with their status as high-emitting, industrialised countries. The report provides insight into what Australia and New Zealand are doing to support Pacific Island people to tackle climate change, lessons from Cyclone Pam and finally presents the Moresby declaration for an effective global climate agreement.