Caritas welcomes Pacific focus for fossil fuel talks

The Santa Marta Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels was hosted last month by Colombia and the Netherlands. It brought together government representatives from 53 countries, along with other parties, to tackle the root causes of human-induced climate change.

The meeting focused on pathways to reduce reliance on coal, oil and gas, and on the need for coordinated international action. The conference agreed to advance discussions on a proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The conference confirmed that the next set of discussions will be supported by Ireland and co-hosted by Tuvalu.

A statement on Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s website described this as an “excellent opportunity for a Pacific nation to demonstrate first hand the day-to-day impact of climate change in the region”.

“We are delighted that the second conference will be co-hosted by Tuvalu, alongside Ireland,” said Mena Antonio, chief executive of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and vice president of Caritas Internationalis.

“Pacific states are at the coal face of climate change, and we welcome news that the world’s attention will be on this region. The world must act together to ensure a habitable home for all people and future generations.”  

Tuvalu’s Minister for Climate Change and Environment Maina Talia said preparations for the 2027 meeting will prioritise inclusive participation as negotiations continue.

For Pacific nations, the issue remains urgent. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion and extreme weather are already affecting communities, food security, infrastructure and freshwater supplies. Caritas explained that many Pacific countries face climate-induced debt – the servicing of which drains money away from vital services, such as education or health.

Eliala Fihaki, a Tuvaluan working with Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, has spoken about the possible loss of her homeland, culture and identity if climate impacts continue to intensify. She has called for stronger global action and greater support for affected communities.

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Fossil fuel breakthrough is welcome news (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)