Posted on 22 March 2023
Last week, representatives from six Pacific islands - Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, and the Solomon Islands - agreed on the Port Vila Call to Action for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific
The commitment arose from the 2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition from Fossil Fuels, joint hosted by Vanuatu and Tuvalu in Port Vila. The meeting facilitated discussion about the necessary phasing out of fossil fuels as the Pacific continues to suffer disproportionality from its effects.
The call urges both Pacific and international leaders, to show their allegiance with the region and take steps to eradicate fossil fuel use - including adopting a Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty. Romain Ioualalen, Global Policy lead at Oil Change International, speaks to the global acknowledgement necessary, saying “Countries must urgently heed the call for an immediate end to fossil fuel expansion that is emanating from the Pacific.”