Tokelau concerned COP26 will not live up to expectations
As COP26 approaches its final day tomorrow after two weeks of negotiations, there is major
concern by Tokelau that promises made in Paris will not be delivered in full in Glasgow.
“Time is running out to reach a deal that is consistent with the Paris Agreement and climate
science” said Hon. Kelihiano Kalolo, Ulu of Tokelau and Minister for Climate Change.
Kalolo’s views echo those of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres own assessment of
COP26 negotiations to date.
“The aspirational goal of keeping 1.5 degrees Celsius is on life support”, UN SG was quoted in the
media today.
Kalolo said emission reduction targets and funding pledged during COP26 are not good enough
to deal with the scale of the climate crisis.
“Funding pledged by rich nations needed by poorer and the most vulnerable nations to adapt to
and build resilience communities and infrastructure impacted by climate change are well below
targets.”
“I am also disappointed to hear efforts by developing countries, Pacific SIDS included, for a
separate finance facility dedicated to loss and damage are blocked by some parties” Kalolo said.
Other noticeable issues emerging from the negotiations include major fossil fuel nations blocked
COP26 moves to phase out coal, launched of the COP26 Methane pledge to reduce global
methane emissions in order to achieve the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the
unexpected US-China climate agreement announcement, Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, and
climate finance.
For more information please contact Director for Ministry of Climate, Oceans & Resilience Ms. Paula Faiva email
paula.faiva@tokelau.org.nz
concern by Tokelau that promises made in Paris will not be delivered in full in Glasgow.
“Time is running out to reach a deal that is consistent with the Paris Agreement and climate
science” said Hon. Kelihiano Kalolo, Ulu of Tokelau and Minister for Climate Change.
Kalolo’s views echo those of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres own assessment of
COP26 negotiations to date.
“The aspirational goal of keeping 1.5 degrees Celsius is on life support”, UN SG was quoted in the
media today.
Kalolo said emission reduction targets and funding pledged during COP26 are not good enough
to deal with the scale of the climate crisis.
“Funding pledged by rich nations needed by poorer and the most vulnerable nations to adapt to
and build resilience communities and infrastructure impacted by climate change are well below
targets.”
“I am also disappointed to hear efforts by developing countries, Pacific SIDS included, for a
separate finance facility dedicated to loss and damage are blocked by some parties” Kalolo said.
Other noticeable issues emerging from the negotiations include major fossil fuel nations blocked
COP26 moves to phase out coal, launched of the COP26 Methane pledge to reduce global
methane emissions in order to achieve the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the
unexpected US-China climate agreement announcement, Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, and
climate finance.
For more information please contact Director for Ministry of Climate, Oceans & Resilience Ms. Paula Faiva email
paula.faiva@tokelau.org.nz