Oxfam Aotearoa says all major parties must show they are listening to Pacific demands on climate change ahead of this year’s general election.
At a pre-election debate on Thursday night, Oxfam raised two key demands that all parties must support: an historic proposed Pacific leaders’ climate change declaration, and an increase and continuation of much-needed climate finance.
“These issues are crucial to Oxfam and to our allies in the Pacific”, says Climate Justice Lead Nick Henry. “Pacific governments have shown incredible leadership this year in their call for a regional Just Transition away from fossil fuels. We are seeking unanimous cross-party support for the Port Vila Call at the Pacific Islands Forum in November, and a scale up of the crucial financial assistance we provide to countries to adapt and respond.
“Achieving the vision of a fossil fuel free Pacific will require every country in the region to do our bit, and we still need to see these parties’ plans to deliver on our own part of this goal here at home. The good news is that we have the solutions: wealthier countries like ours need to urgently stop polluting, and start paying . These plans must include a full, fair, fast and funded transition away from fossil fuels here in Aotearoa – shutting down oil, gas and coal on land and at sea for good – and ongoing commitments to pay our fair share of climate finance.
“It’s past time we listen to the people who are on the frontlines of this crisis. Climate change is here and now, and our Pacific neighbours have known this and borne the brunt of its impacts for years. This summer’s cyclones in Aotearoa are an unavoidable reminder that we aren’t immune ourselves.
“As we near the election, we want to see all political parties making commitments to act in line with climate justice. Reopening our coastlines to exploitation by the riskiest players in this dirty global industry is a step in the wrong direction. The science shows there’s no room for new oil, gas or coal if we’re to keep warming to 1.5 degrees. The call to end the era of fossil fuel pollution has never been stronger. The offshore ban put New Zealand on the map for our climate leadership – we simply can’t afford to take such a massive backwards step as to undo it.”
Oxfam’s key asks
As part of the Climate Shift coalition, Oxfam is calling on all parties to:
- End new oil, gas and coal exploration and extraction on land and at sea, and commit to the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
- Stand with affected communities in the Pacific by renewing and scaling up our climate finance commitments, with new and additional funding to address loss and damage caused by climate change.
Parties’ positions at the Council for International Development and New Zealand Institute for International Affairs pre-Election Debate
ACT
- Did not comment on whether they would maintain and scale up New Zealand climate finance post-2025.
- Support for the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific would depend on whether or not the ‘Pacific’ is defined to include New Zealand. Additionally mentioned ACT’s commitment to reopen offshore fossil fuel exploration and production.
Green Party
- Would maintain and scale up New Zealand climate finance post-2025.
- Supports the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific, and would support a Leaders’ Declaration at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Labour
- Would maintain and scale up New Zealand climate finance post-2025.
- Supports the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific, and would support a Leaders’ Declaration at the Pacific Islands Forum.
National
- Did not comment on whether they would maintain and scale up New Zealand climate finance post-2025.
- Did not comment on party support for the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific, and would “wait and see” what happens at the Pacific Islands Forum to determine whether they would support a Leaders’ Declaration.
