Day long meeting ends in disagreement over action against climate change

A day‑long meeting of Pacific Islands Forum leaders has ended with disagreement over action against climate change.

The leaders of the 18‑member countries and territories met for 12 hours in Tuvalu yesterday, with a communiqué and separate statement on climate change finally released after midnight.

The document, released after midnight, includes what's titled the 'Funafuti Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action Now'.

Radio NZ reports the main communiqué endorsed a declaration from the small island states calling for a commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, an immediate phase out of coal, and contributions to the UN Green Climate Fund.

But there was one qualification, which Tuvalu prime minister Enele Sopoaga said related to Australia.

It's understood Australia had pushed for the wording on climate change to be watered down.

Sopoaga took a subtle swipe at Australia, while praising New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's support of small island leaders during the negotiations.

However, Australia did endorse the separate statement urging greater action on climate change.

Radio NZ

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