11 September 2015
Pacific Island Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate Change Action
Pacific Island Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate Change Action
46th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit – Port Moresby 2015
We, the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum:
1. are deeply concerned about the serious impacts of and growing threat posed by climate change to the economic,
social, environmental and cultural well-being and security of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), and our
peoples.
2. are alarmed at the current and projected impacts of climate change, coupled with the region’s physical
vulnerability and limited capacity, are exacerbating the challenges on the sustainable development efforts and future
existence of Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
3. reiterate that Pacific Island Countries and Territories are amongst the most vulnerable and least able to adapt
and to respond; and the adverse consequences they face as a result of climate change, including the exacerbation of
climate variability, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and more frequent and extreme weather events, are
significantly disproportionate to negligible collective contribution to the global greenhouse gas emissions.
4. are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and are committed to show leadership through ambitious
submissions of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), implement commitments under the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership in 2013 to reduce
emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, and promote low carbon development through supporting initiatives such as the
Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), SIDS DOCK and REDD+.
5. are gravely concerned that we are already facing adverse effects of climate change with the current average
global temperature increase of 0.85 degree Celsius, and any further warming could push many countries beyond their
capacity to adapt.
6. declare that an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius would severely exacerbate the particular challenges facing the
most vulnerable smaller island states of the Pacific and urge, all effort be made to stay within the global temperature
goal, as noted by the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC in its decision of 1/CP20.
7. recognise the need to accelerate and intensify efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and to further
develop and implement policies, strategies and legislative frameworks, with support where necessary, to climate-proof
essential physical infrastructure, adapt key economic sectors and ensure climate-resilient sustainable development for
present and future generations.
8. acknowledge that successful interactive action is achievable and note that the phasing down of
hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol has been important in mobilising action and, that such action has
key benefits for climate change mitigation.
9. reaffirm that the Paris Conference 2015 is crucial for all in order to deliver an ambitious, legally-binding
agreement under the UNFCCC applicable to all, which reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.
10. recognise the importance of amplifying the Pacific voice at all avenues possible with a view to influence the
Paris outcome, and note the positions of the region as expressed in other meeting outcomes and declarations, including
the Smaller Island States Leaders’ Port Moresby Declaration on Climate Change in September 2015, the Suva Declaration on
Climate Change in September 2015, the Nuku’alofa Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Weather and Climate Services for
a Resilient Pacific in July 2015, the Polynesian Leaders’ Taputapuatea Declaration on Climate Change in July 2015, the
Lifou Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change in April 2015, the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway
in September 2014, the Majuro Declaration on Climate Leadership in September 2013, and the NiueDeclaration on Climate
Change in August 2008.
call for the timely conclusion of the negotiations under the UNFCCC to adopt a new, ambitious and legally binding
international climate change agreement applicable to all Parties, in Paris at COP 21, and for the Paris outcome to
include, inter alia:
• recognition of the special circumstances and vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly
those in the Pacific, and Least Developed Countries;
• support for ongoing and improved weather, climate, water, and related environmental services, their analysis and
modeling of impacts to inform political, economic and social policies in the Pacific;
• ambitious, clearly-defined and transparent commitments by all Parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through their
INDCs, in line with the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at
a level that prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system;
• provisions for regular review of mitigation commitments, in light of the most recent science, as well as pathways for
higher ambition, and provide an opportunity to recommit to stronger action;
• acknowledgement of the importance of transparency and accountability to the environmental integrity and effectiveness
of the new agreement;
• requirements that Parties will make their strongest possible efforts to achieve and progressively enhance national and
global mitigation action;
• accelerated and effective delivery of international support for the design and implementation of adaptation and
mitigation actions especially for the most vulnerable countries already experiencing existential challenges from climate
change, in relation to capacity building, technology transfer, knowledge and information sharing, and improved access to
climate change finance;
• a commitment to scale up the provision of financial resources, noting the commitment by developed country Parties, in
the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, to a goal of mobilising jointly US$100
billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries, from a wide variety of sources, and a request for
Parties to continue to enhance their enabling environments and policy frameworks to facilitate the mobilisation and
effective deployment of climate change finance;
• simplified access to financial resources to support climate change action and resilience that accounts for the
particular circumstance of SIDS, especially those in the Pacific, and Least Developed Countries. The outcome should also
encourage Parties to ensure improved effectiveness of existing and new support, and provide support for readiness
activities for capacity constrained countries, such as Pacific Small Island Developing States and the Least Developed
Countries;
• inclusion in the Paris outcome of loss and damage as a critical and stand alone element for building resilience
against climate change impacts, including responding to extreme weather and slow onset events, and builds on the ongoing
work of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts in developing
countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change;
• inclusion in the Paris outcome relevant provisions to support further actions under the Warsaw Framework for REDD+;
• recognition of the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, youth, the elderly, disabled, indigenous
peoples and other vulnerable and marginalised groups, and acknowledgement of the contribution of these peoples to the
effective implementation of the Paris outcome; and,
• acknowledgment of the crucial role women will play in a global solution to climate change and the importance of gender
responsive outcomes that encourage full and equal participation of women in all climate change actions, decision-making
processes and improved accessibility to financial resources.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
10 September 2015