Carbon capture and storage, geoengineering and other technologies that justify ongoing fossil fuel production have been denounced by Pacific nations in a landmark declaration.
Following talks in Port Vila, ministers and senior officials have reiterated support for an urgent fossil fuel phase-out and Pacific economies run off 100 per cent renewable energy.
The Tassiriki Call unifies Pacific island states messaging ahead of an inaugural international conference on fossil fuel phase-out to be held in Colombia later in April.
Pacific island nations are vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather fuelled by climate change and have led international diplomacy on limiting temperature rise for decades.
The region is also highly dependent on imported liquid fuels for power generation and transport and has been hit hard by the latest oil shock caused by war in the Middle East.
Ministers and officials from Tuvalu, Samoa, Fiji, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Vanuatu have signed off on the Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
Urging countries to commit to a clear, time-bound process to negotiate a fossil fuel treaty is a key ask of the cohort.
The declaration further commits to wielding international law strategically to target fossil fuel production and subsidies following a landmark opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice.
In the opinion, judges from the world’s highest court specified fossil fuel production could constitute an “internationally wrongful act”.
Carbon capture and storage, carbon offsetting and geoengineering were also singled out as deeply concerning and at risk of “diverting finance, political attention and time away from proven pathways aligned with the 1.5C limit”.
Tuvalu minister for home affairs, environment and climate change Maina Talia said the declaration marked the next chapter in a fossil fuel-free future.
“It sets a clear direction for our unified coalition of countries who are ready to secure a fast, fair and financed transition away from coal, oil and gas production,” Dr Talia said.
Vanuatu climate change, adaptation, meteorology and geo-hazards, and energy minister Ralph Regenvanu said the Tassiriki Call was a “blueprint for survival and prosperity”.
“It is a unified message from the frontline of the climate crisis: the age of fossil fuels must end.”
Australia holds a novel negotiating role at the next round of international climate talks to be held in Turkey, with Fiji and Tuvalu to hold pre-COP31 meetings.
At COP30 in Brazil, Australia signed the Belem Declaration that signals support for a fossil fuel transition roadmap.
While Australia has been pursuing a rapid renewables transition and set ambitious climate targets, it remains a major exporter of fossil fuels.