At the beginning of the second week of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, we catch up with Ms Toiata Uili, of Samoa and the Coordinator for the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) for the Mitigation Workstream.
The heart of the Mitigation work for Pacific countries is holding the line for 1.5 to stay alive. This message is non-negotiable for Samoa, and all Pacific countries at COP29.
On Saturday night, when the Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme (MWP was taken up during the closing plenary, the SBI Chair noted the lack of consensus on the way forward and indicated that, in accordance with Rules 10(c) and 16 of the draft rules of procedure, the matter will be included on the SB 62 agendas.
In the negotiation rooms, Pacific island negotiators and delegates continue to highlight the real and devastating consequences of overshooting the 1.5°C target, including the loss of lives and the destruction of livelihoods.
For Samoa, Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) of which Samoa is Chair, 1.5 to stay alive is not just a number, it has implications on loss of our nations, culture and identity.
Question: When it comes to Mitigation at COP29, what is the Pacific asking for?
Answer: We are asking to keep the 1.5 alive. We’re also asking the developed countries to look into our special circumstances in terms of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions overall. We are also looking at making sure the Global Stocktake (GST) outcomes, especially on the energy package is being linked, complemented or being referenced and used in the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) because we need that in order for us to triple renewable energy capacity, double energy efficiency and make sure we are transitioning away from the use of fossil fuel.
Question: How are the COP29 negotiations on mitigation going? Talk us through progress, or perhaps the lack of progress?
Answer: As a negotiator, you’ve got to try and be optimistic but it’s difficult. It feels like we are failing our people, it feels like we are being bullied a lot, which has always been the case at COPs. Looking at the bigger picture, it looks like we are failing the world in terms of where the focus should be. I know this is a climate finance COP but at the same time, it feels like we are derailing from the important stuff such as the work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What’s the use of having huge amounts of monies, huge amount of climate finance to support all these adaptation and mitigation measures when the temperature is still rising? That’s the predicament right now but we will not give up, we will keep on pushing and continue to try and hold that line.
Question: What can we expect in the coming days? What’s your gut feeling?
Answer: We want to make sure our leaders are at the forefront, we are depending on our leaders for this. I think the Presidency has sent a signal for this, and I really feel now is the time for our leaders to step up in terms of being vocal, strong, and continue to hold that line. We cannot compromise on our message about 1.5 which is our key ask. If we lose this, we are going to lose everything and it defeats the purpose of us being here. This is the 29th COP, and there hasn’t been any movement on the mitigation space. Our message to our leaders is to advocate and amplify holding the line when it comes to 1.5 at every opportunity. Here at COP29, progress or no progress, we cannot give up, we have to fight to hold the line on 1.5. If we lose this we are going to lose everything, no money can buy us. We also ask our people back home and everywhere around the world to keep us in your prayers, it’s been tiring, it has been difficult but we will continue to amplify our Pacific voice because we know what is a stake.
Photo credit: Photo by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis