The UN’s COP27 climate conference ended on Nov. 20 with much emphasis on “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters. Its conclusions are not relevant to the climate priorities of Pacific island nations. It is time for Taiwan to work with its Austronesian brothers and sisters in the Pacific, especially through the Austronesian Forum, in calling for significant global climate action.
The reason COP27’s results are not being welcomed in the Pacific region is because Pacific islanders have realized that sea-level rise threatens supplies of fresh water, agricultural sustainability and infrastructure buildup. In a worst-case scenario, some inhabited islands could sink and disappear. The money for compensating “loss and damage” is not going to help their homes survive accelerating sea-level rise.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her statement at the end of the COP27 that the conference “has opened a new chapter on financing loss and damage.” This is “crucial moving forward, because there can be no lasting action against climate change without climate justice.” COP27 “marks a small step towards climate justice, but much more is needed for the planet.”
Von der Leyen said that “COP27 has kept alive the goal of 1.5°C. Unfortunately, however, it has not delivered on a commitment by the world’s major emitters to phase down fossil fuels, nor new commitments on climate mitigation.”
Pacific leaders launched the development of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent at the 2019 Pacific Islands Forum and finalized the strategy this summer. They highlighted their concerns for the region’s enduring challenges, which, of course, include climate change-related impacts.
Several climate scenarios were mentioned. For example, by 2050 without new action global greenhouse gas emissions are projected to increase by 50 percent, primarily due to a 70 percent growth in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. There would be a loss and degradation of land and ocean resources as a result of exceeding 1.5°C warming.
All reefs would be threatened, with more frequent bleaching, lower levels of carbonate and increased cyclonic activity. A 30 percent increase in ocean acidity would affect many ocean — and coastal — species. Sea-level rise is projected to erode coastlines and increase saltwater intrusion.
The Pacific Islands Forum is to be one of the important platforms facilitating the region working together to bring the whole world’s attention to their priorities in climate action.
The Austronesian Forum, which includes Taiwan as a crucial member because many Austronesian people identify with Taiwan’s indigenous cultures, could be a significant platform as well. Taiwan should, through the forum, help its Austronesian brothers and sisters get attention from other parts of the world. While sharing the same goals on climate action, Taiwan can also reaffirm its connections with many Pacific island states.
The government’s commitments to zero carbon policies and Taiwanese enterprises’ realization of the principles of environmental, social and governance goals would help Pacific islanders urge other industrial developed countries to take the same action to tackle the climate crisis together.
In return, teaming up with partners within the Austronesian Forum might extend Taiwan’s climate vision to a global level, and probably open the door for Taiwan to join the UN Climate Change Conference in the near future.
Edward Pingyuan Lu is president of the Guahan Global Foundation and director of HSVG Mission’s Public Health Office.
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