Oxfam has called New Zealand's record on climate change 'woeful' as regional heads prepare for the Pacific Island Forum leaders summit in Papua New Guinea.
Residents on low-lying Pacific atolls such as in Tuvalu are expected to face displacement challenges in coming years due to climate change impacts. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Climate change is expected to dominate the meeting in Port Moresby.
An Oxfam report, released today to coincide with the summit, has called on Australia and New Zealand to do more to help their Pacific neighbours.
The report says the two powerhouses are regarded as two of the worst-performing governments when it comes to climate change and are a drag on international efforts.
In July, the New Zealand Government announced a target of reducing emissions to 11 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, in preparation for a major United Nations climate change conference in Paris later this year.
Australia has set a goal of reducing its emissions by between 26 and 28 percent below 2005 levels in 15 years.
Both New Zealand and Australia have told the United Nations they cannot do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions because it would be too costly.