Critics have accused Australia of undermining an issued joint statement by Pacific island countries that called for stern action on Climate Change.
According to BBC news reports, regional leaders this week met in Tuvalu to attend the Pacific Islands Forum, where smaller states, which are the island-dominated, sought to reach a common resolution on climate goals.
However, Australia, the largest emitter in the region, didn’t approve some calls such as putting an end to coal mining. The Pacific countries said they were not happy with the revisions.
“I think we should have done more work for our people,” said Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga of Tuvalu, the forum’s host country.
He told reporters that he had said to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison: “You are concerned about saving your economy in Australia … I am concerned about saving my people in Tuvalu.”
Morrison protected his nation’s efforts to combat climate change saying, he had held very “respectful” discussions with other leaders.
Little countries in the Pacific region are among those enduring the worst part of environmental change, with rising ocean levels and related effects previously driving a few occupants to migrate.
Numerous island states have condemned their most dominant neighbor, Australia, for what they state are insufficient activities to battle environmental change.
The Australian government keeps up that it will arrive at its Paris climate understanding targets, however contends firms including coal stay critical to nearby employment creation and vitality needs.
