‘We are literally sinking’

AS THE curtains came down on the fractious global climate talks (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, small island developing states (SIDS) have demanded a return to an inclusive negotiations process while reminding developed countries of their obligations under the Paris Agreement.

“We want nothing more than to continue to engage, but the process must be inclusive. If this cannot be the case, it becomes very difficult for us to continue our involvement … SIDS and Least Developing Countries (LDCs) are among the very worst impacted by this climate crisis that we did not cause,” said the Minister Cedric Schuster, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in a statement issued from Baku on November 23.

“Yet, we have found ourselves continuously insulted by the lack of inclusion; our calls are being ignored,” he added.

AOSIS represents the interests of the 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states in international negotiations on climate change, sustainable development, and oceans. As a voice for the vulnerable, AOSIS works to ensure that the United Nations mandate to “leave no one behind” is honoured.

COP29 was billed as the COP to progress the New Collective Quantified Goal, a new climate finance goal that the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement are to set from a floor of US$100 billion per year, prior to 2025.

The COP ended with a deal that promised a reported US$300 billion for developing countries by 2035, a result that has been described as a failure.

“Across all packages, there is a deplorable lack of substance, especially as it relates to the special needs and circumstances of SIDS and LDCs. Our key asks on mitigation have also been ignored. We need to see progress and follow up on the transition away from fossil fuels that we agreed last year. We have been asked to forget all about that at this COP as though we are not in a critical decade and as though the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit is not in peril,” Schuster said.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change”.

The 1.5 goal is especially important for SIDS, including those of the Caribbean, whose populations are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, which range from extreme hurricane and drought events to sea level rise and coastal erosion. These are together with the risk of compromised public health and undermined food and water security.

“We need to be shown the regard which our dire circumstances necessitate,” the AOSIS chair insisted.

“We are calling on Parties to respect the Paris Agreement we all signed on to, which holds developed countries to provide adequate assistance to developing countries and sets out that SIDS and LDCs,” he added.

“After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking. Understand this – I am not exaggerating when I say our islands are sinking! How can you expect us to go back to the women, men, and children of our countries with a poor deal which will surely plunge them into further peril?” Schuster said further.

It is essential, therefore, he said, that all countries “act with honour”.

“Do not be remembered for contributing to a process which will go down as showing contempt for the world’s most vulnerable. Let us all come together and show the world we are serious about being saviours and commit to a deal that will redound to the benefit of us all,” he urged.

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