2 December, 2019, Madrid, Spain - Tokelau amplified its’ voice on the world stage today at the High Level Roundtable hosted on the first day of the twenty-fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Ulu o Tokelau, Aliki Kelihiano Kalolo, presented during the Roundtable with world leaders endorsing the call to Act Now when it comes to climate change.
“Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and are reaching record levels. They show no sign of peaking despite 29 years of climate talks,” presented the Ulu o Tokelau.
“Recent analysis (2019) shows global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning and industry grew by around 2.7% in 2018, the largest increase in seven years. And fossil fuel subsidies is around USD 500 billion per year.”
Tokelau, with a population of approximately 1,500, consists of three atoll nations. Despite its’ size, and challenges which come with isolation, the Pacific island is a global leader being the first national in the world to have all electricity sourced by 100% solar energy in 2012.
Having achieved this historic milestone, Tokelau is now calling upon others to take action.
Based in the Pacific island region it is on the frontlines of climate change and amongst the most vulnerable to its effects despite being amongst those that collectively contribute to less than 0.03% of the world’s total greenhouse gasses.
Highlighting that the last four years were the hottest on record, the rising sea levels, ocean and marine ecosystems under stress and the life threatening impacts of climate change – the Ulu o Tokelau stressed that that world’s nations have not taken enough action to solve the climate peril.
“Until we collectively find a way to reduce, then stop and remove greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere as articulated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1.5ºC Special Report on Global Warming, the urgency of the challenge and the threat of the losses will only grow.”
The delegation of Tokelau at the UNFCCC COP25 is led by the Ulu o Tokelau and also consists of Ms Paula Faiva and Dr Penehuro Lafale.
The UNFCCC COP25 is hosted in Madrid, Spain from 2 to 13 December, 2019.