Satyendra Prasad, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Fiji to United Nations addresses delegates during the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference, in Egypt Photo: DOMINIKA ZARZYCKA/AFP
Fiji and Tuvalu have made commitments to a managed phase-out of fossil fuels by joining as 'friends' of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA).
The Alliance was officially launched in November 2021 during COP26 in Glasgow, with the aim of reducing coal, oil and gas to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement.
To be a friend of the alliance, the two Pacific nations - plus Kenya and Chile - will now uphold the objectives of BOGA.
On its website BOGA says: "The alliance aims to elevate the issue of oil and gas production phase-out in international climate dialogues, mobilise action and commitments, and create an international community of practice on this issue."
Fiji's Permanent Representative to the UN, Satyendra Prasad, told delegates that "fossil fuels must be phased out, period".
"To anyone who is saying they must be phased down, we understand just transition but tell us, show us the pace at which you are exponentially increasing your 'phasing down?" he said.
"There is no question. There is no stable planet for all of us, including those who are arguing for a slower facing down that forcing field is not part of a 1.5 degree feature for the planet. That era is gone, the time has passed and all we need is commitment and energy and faith in the global solidarity."
The Pacific has made its position clear when it comes to fossil fuels and has stated it will not lose its home to industrialised giants.
'David and Goliath fight'
350.org Pacific Regional Managing Director, Joseph Sikulu, said the expansion of oil and gas is a threat to the existence of many small island developing states.
"The leadership shown from Tuvalu and Fiji as friends of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance comes just as our Pacific leaders fight to have the phase-out of fossil fuels included in the final text of the COP27 climate talks in Egypt.
"While this is a David and Goliath fight for many of our islands, this announcement is a resounding call that the Pacific is not standing down in the fight against oil and gas expansion."
With Fiji and Tuvalu being the only Pacific countries recognised as friends of BOGA, other Pacific countries aren't in a rush to offer their support.
The Pacific Islands Forum's representative Teea Tira said while it makes sense for more Pacific countries to join BOGA, there are a number of factors to consider when it comes to fossil fuels.
"It's something we should all consider and look into, and particularly to hold our fossil fuel countries accountable," she said.
"But noting also, what comes after that? We are all actually very dependent on fossil fuel, for a lot of our economies, our electricity, so you also have to think what comes after that and I think a lot of our countries are taking really careful consideration of it but it's not to say they are not for it, but I think it's how they see what happens after it."
Women activists protest and demand Loss and Damage fund during the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference Photo: DOMINIKA ZARZYCKA/AFP
(h) Pacific's position on fossil fuel
Tuvulu and Fiji's decision to join BOGA follows Tuvalu's earlier decision to unite with Vanuatu in calling on other nation states to develop a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
A proposed international mechanism to effectively regulate fossil fuel production and pave a clear, fair pathway for a shift to renewables in order to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC.
During his call to world leader at COP27, Tuvalu's Prime Minister Kausea Natano said "the warming seas are starting to swallow our lands - inch by inch. But the world's addiction to oil, gas and coal can't sink our dreams under the waves".
"We, therefore, unite with a hundred Nobel Peace Prize laureates and thousands of scientists worldwide and urge leaders to join the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to manage a just transition away from fossil fuels."
So far, at a government level Vanuatu, Timor-Leste's president, and the European Parliament have extended support for the treaty along with the Vatican and the World Health Organisation.
The initiative has 10 core members, one associate member which is New Zealand, and seven friends of BOGA.