Rev Bhagwan says the fact that the Australian Pavilion at COP26 is sponsored by their second largest independent gas producer is a slap in the face to the small Pacific delegation

The General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches Reverend James Bhagwan says the fact that the Australian Pavilion at COP26 in Glasgow is sponsored by Santos, Australia's second largest independent oil and gas producer, which has just been allowed to receive carbon credits while being paid for carbon storage by the Australian Government, is a slap in the face to the small Pacific delegation fighting for our survival.

While attending the UN Climate Change Conference, Reverend Bhagwan says Australia throws around the iTaukei word Vuvale to show its close relationships with the Pacific, particularly in terms of protecting interests of the Indo-Pacific strategy against China.

Reverend Bhagwan says they are also disappointed and troubled by the report provided by Greenpeace that confirms what they have seen and heard about the bullying tactics at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Tuvalu in 2019.

He adds they continue to see the green-washing of aid and hear rhetoric about commitments to net zero emissions.

He says the Kaiinaki declaration of 2019 calls for implementation of G7 and G20 countries to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.