Pacific women and girls are facing loss and damage, displacement, gender-based violence and deepening poverty as the impacts of climate change intensify.
This has been highlighted by Diva for Equality Director Noelene Nabulivou during the Pacific Pre-COP31 Opening Plenary Session at Sofitel Resort in Denarau.
Nabulivou says Pacific women and communities are experiencing irreversible impacts on indigenous land, waterways and food systems, while climate change is also contributing to forced displacement and heightened gender-based violence.
She says women are also confronting patriarchal and ecocidal forces that exploit communities, the environment and the ocean.
Nabulivou says Pacific women are calling for urgent climate action, including a just phase-out of fossil fuels, climate finance based on the 1.5-degree Celsius target and stronger gender-responsive climate policies.
She says compromising on the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold could have devastating consequences for frontline Pacific communities.
Nabulivou says women and gender-diverse people must be placed at the centre of climate decision-making as governments work towards COP31.
Ministers, leaders and negotiators from more that 50 countries are convening in Nadi from today until Friday for Pre-COP31 to discuss key issues and their agenda for COP31.
Hosted by Australia in Fiji and Tuvalu, the Pacific Pre-COP31 discussions focuses on four key pillars including keeping 1.5°C within reach, enhancing access to climate finance, elevating the ocean-climate nexus, and amplifying Pacific voices and leadership.
