BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold is an international objective, set forth by the Paris Agreement, with the aim to prevent the most severe impacts of climate change by capping the average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Achieving this target greatly mitigates the risks associated with heightened extreme heat, endangered ecosystems, diminished agricultural output, and accelerated sea-level rise, particularly for at-risk populations such as low-lying island nations.

“In Paris, we had a Paris agreement. Since then, the science and other decisions have made it very clear that 1.5 is the limit that is safe for all of us. And the advisory opinion said it’s 1.5. We’re not talking about 2 anymore, it’s 1.5,” Tina Stege, the climate envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said.

Speaking during a side event at this year’s 54th PIF in Honiara, she said that while leaders are anticipating the COP 31 to continue to deliver on decisions and commitments that have already been made, considering COP30 is also vital.

Stege stressed that before we get to COP 31, we need to make sure we have a good foundation at COP 30 to do some of the things that have just been discussed.

“For example, a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels,” she said.

Stege voiced that they want this to happen first in the Pacific but also want the world to be going in that same direction and to follow the Pacific’s lead once again.

“So, the expectations are high for COP 31, and we look to working with the entire region, including Australia, to make sure we’re getting those good outcomes this year.

“With the ICJ-AO (International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion) now, make it clear what we need to do so that we can have a COP 31 that really delivers on the promises that have been made in the past and the ones that we’re looking forward to being made in the future,” Stege stressed.

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