Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are key to sustainable development and are the building blocks for low carbon development (LCD).
Reflecting on the commitments of Pacific Leaders to net-zero emissions and resilient societies by 2050 at the Pacific SIDS High level breakfast event in New York, Climate Analytics managing director, Dr Bill Hare said by implementing their NDCs Pacific SIDS can commence their transition to a greener future and set the scene for the transformation that is required.
“The region is already showing global leadership and ambition in its NDCs with Pacific contributes around 0.03% of global emissions.
“NDCs can lead the way to low carbon development which is essential for sustainable and resilient development for the Pacific.
Ambitious NDCs when implemented will reduce the costs from large fossil fuel imports bill, provide for new employment opportunities, and contribute to reducing emissions, local air and marine pollution, said Dr Hare.
“For mitigation in many cases energy and transport are priority sectors.”
“For adaptation the main priority sectors include water and agriculture with the main vulnerable sectors being water, natural disasters, health, ecosystems (coast/land), and agriculture,” Dr Hare said.
He said greater linkages between mitigation and adaptation efforts in key sectors can enhance resilience.
Ulu o Tokelau, Kelihiano Kalolo said in order for his small atoll nation to shift towards a low emission development pathway, they have to direct their resources to addressing their GHG emissions from the four sectors which includes energy, waste, industrial processes and Product Use (IPPU) and agriculture.
“It is also emerged from our inventory that we, as a nation of 1,500 people emits approximately 2.86kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (co2-e) per annum, or less than two tonnes per person per year.
“In our case, the science-based evidence from our National Green House Gases (GHG) report provides the foundation we need to formulate our National determined contributions (NDC).
“A review of issues and options associated with our NDC formulation will be carried out,” said Kalolo.
He said the main objective is to define a strategy that would serve as a basis for planning and implementing recommended policy measures, institutional strengthening and investments in their NDC.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor said Pacific Island countries are already demonstrating moral authority and leadership through very ambitious NDCs, despite the region’s negligible contribution to the global emissions.
Dame Taylor said on Monday, Pacific leaders reaffirmed their commitment to increase that ambition through revised NDCs.
“While finance is critical to the implementation of our region’s NDC commitments, I think there is more that needs to be done to ensure the collective effort of Pacific Island countries is matched by similar leadership and ambition by the big polluters
“The provision of finance by developed countries and big polluters should not be an excuse to avoid behavioural change and lack of urgency in responding to this climate crisis facing Pacific Island nations,” said Dame Taylor at the event.
