As leaders gather in Fiji for crucial pre-COP31 climate talks, co-hosted by Australia's Climate Change & Energy Minister Chris Bowen, delegates will see this message in the Fiji Times (photo).
Climate change is threatening the very existence of several Pacific Island nations. Pacific leaders have repeatedly asked Australia to reduce its reliance on, and export of, fossil fuels.
Yet, despite the rhetoric of Minister Bowen and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at events like the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia continues to expand fossil fuel mining.
Just last week the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine extension, which will generate 809 million tonnes of climate pollution out to 2045, was given planning approval in NSW.
"Australia is a terrible neighbour to its Pacific family," said Noah Schultz-Byard, Strategic Director at The Australia Institute.
"Australian leaders fly around the world making all sorts of bold statements about meaningful climate action, then they return home and approve new coal and gas projects.
"For nations like Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, the climate crisis is real and it's happening now. It is not some distant dystopian prediction.
"This round of COP negotiations has become a crucial test for Australia. If we are to have any respectability in the international climate space, then strong, real-world commitments to phasing out fossil fuels are an essential minimum outcome from this year's conference."
