A prominent Torres Strait elder is urging Pacific Island leaders to pressure Australia into establishing ambitious climate targets for 2035, as crucial talks approach in Solomon Islands. McRose Elu, a cultural advisor involved in the renowned Torres Strait climate court case, stressed the importance of holding the Australian government accountable for its climate actions. Her call includes setting stringent emission reduction targets and halting fossil fuel extraction, aligning with past demands from some Pacific nations.
Australia participates in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a gathering of 17 island nations, where climate change was declared the region’s most significant existential threat in 2019. The Torres Strait Islanders have a notable history of climate advocacy, having challenged the Australian government over climate negligence at both international and national levels. Notably, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled in 2022 that Australia was infringing on the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by neglecting climate action obligations.
Despite these efforts, a recent Federal Court case led by community leaders like Uncles Pabai and Kabai was dismissed. However, their determination to protect their home from climate-induced threats remains steadfast. Though the court recognized the perils of climate change on the islands, it found the current legal framework inadequate for supporting their claims.
The Australian government, through Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, maintains that it is on track to achieve its climate reduction goals and is finalizing plans for Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan, with expert scientific advice guiding their target settings.
Elu advocates for more substantial action from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, emphasizing the necessity of ambitious climate strategies to ensure the safety of the islands. She critiques the government’s continued support for fossil fuels, urging them to present their targets ahead of the PIF meeting for accountability and transparency.
As Elu reiterates her invitation for Albanese to visit the islands, the historical connection between the Torres Strait and the Pacific is highlighted by solidarity initiatives, such as the planned arrival of the Fijian canoe Uto Ni Yalo at the PIF meeting, symbolizing the shared climate journey with a Torres Strait flag.
This call for increased climate commitment from Australia resonates with broader appeals for actionable climate justice within the Pacific, underscoring the interconnected struggles and aspirations shared by these island communities against the escalating global climate crisis.
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