- Climate Change Conference should be inclusive
The Honourable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development, and Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has called for increased inclusion of all island states in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
Minister James made the remark during his keynote address at the Climate Action Zone at the 28th Conference of Parties, which took place last week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
While some deny the scientific data underpinning climate change, the minister for sustainable development believes that we must use the best available knowledge to lead the way forward on climate action.
“The reports, particularly from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are suggesting we phase out the use of fossil fuels if our 1.5 target is to be within reach, and this requires everyone to come to a common ground on how this is achieved,” Mr. James added.
The minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines praised the presence of oil and gas executives at the 28th Conference of Parties, but warned that some elements of civil society and island states risk being excluded.
“Look at the innovations that are being used in places like Tawain, where they have legislated climate action through the Climate Change Response Act.” “There are undoubtedly lessons to be learned from this, and it is past time to move the discussion on climate action beyond geopolitical differences,” Minister James added.
Taiwan, which accounts for up to 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, has been unable to sign on to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change because Beijing has barred the island state from participating in United Nations-affiliated entities owing to a political dispute. Beijing, which has frequently claimed that Taiwan is a part of China, excludes Taiwan’s emissions from its total.
Despite the political obstacles, the island state has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
