People walk at the green zone of the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre, during the COP27 climate conference in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of the same name. Photo: MOHAMMED ABED/AFP
At the UN's climate change summit in Egypt, COP27, Pacific NGOs are expressing their disappointment with Australia's level of commitment towards action on climate change issues.
As the second and final week of negotiations begin, climate activists are calling out the Australian government - saying it cannot afford to spend more time counting its chickens before they hatch if it is to strengthen relationships with the Pacific and earn the right to co-host COP31 in 2026 with Pacific nations.
Despite firm calls from the Pacific for a dedicated loss and damage finance facility to be established, the Australian government has thus far only supported the issue as an agenda item for discussion at the climate talks.
Pacific Islands activists protest demanding climate action and loss and damage reparations at COP27 in Egypt Photo: DOMINIKA ZARZYCKA/AFP
Pacific advisor at Greenpeace Australia Pacific Shiva Gounden said simply being better than its predecessor is far from enough for the Australian government to claim success at COP27.
Gounden added without support for a dedicated loss and damage finance facility, Australia is counting its chickens before they hatch.
"Loss and damage is an idea born in the Pacific and something Pacific Island nations have been calling for over 30 years. Australia's initial support of another year of loss and damage talks at COP27 is not a success, but merely a first step."
He added, "Australia has an opportunity to truly step up for Pacific climate justice by supporting the establishment of a loss and damage finance facility and it must do so at this COP in order to earn COP31."
A youth-led grassroots movement working with communities to fight climate change in the Pacific has called out Australia after negotiations for the harm the country inflicts on poorer nations by exporting fossil fuels.
350.org campaign specialist Joseph Sikulu said it is great the negotiations are gaining attention, but he wants to remind Australia of the harm they still cause.
Sikulu added Australia's actions and commitment needs to speak louder than its words.
"It doesn't matter how much finance and how much we adapt. The best thing we can still do at the moment to preserve our way of life on islands is to mitigate and to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees."
Henry Puna Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
He explained, "What we know at the moment is in our region, Australia still isn't stepping up to where they need to be. We know that they have at least 20 new proposals for coal mines sitting on their desk waiting for approval. We know that Australia is the biggest exporter of coal in the whole entire world."
However, Australia wants the Pacific to know they are back after a decade of inaction.
Australia's Minister of international development in the Pacific, Pat Conroy said Australia's main goals for week one were to let the world know it wants to be a part of a global solution, to talk about the benefit of having a Pacific COP in 2026 and to rebuild relationships with the Pacific.
After his first bilateral meeting with Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general, Henry Puna he acknowledged the need for loss and damage climate financing which is the big-ticket item being talked about this year.
Puna said Minister Conroy's message is real and refreshing.
He has acknowledged the new Government and confirmed he believes the action being taken is solid.
Australia is yet to make any financial contributions to the loss and damage framework - so far New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Austria, and Germany have made financial commitments.