Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has expressed his disappointment at Australia's failure to recognise climate change for what it is ‑ a global crisis.
While speaking at the end of the Pacific Island Leaders meeting in Tuvalu, Bainimarama says he will along with fellow Pacific Heads of Government, continue to push the region’s largest carbon emitter to transition from coal to clean energy, and continue to be a voice for all climate‑vulnerable people.
The Prime Minister says Fiji recognises that coal has always been an important part of Australia's economy as an export revenue earner and their national energy security
Bainimarama says Australia is already providing leadership in renewable energy investment and are leading in research and development across many aspects of it and all they ask is that they do more and we all would benefit from that effort.
He adds the case for coal as an energy source cannot be continued to be made if every nation is to meet the net zero emission target by 2050 and that is the case small Pacific Island nations tried to make on Thursday.
He also thanked the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Arden for the efforts they are making to improve the relations with Fiji and other island nations.
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