8 Oct 2016

EU says Pacific takes some credit for Paris Agreement

10:54 am on 8 October 2016

The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific says the ratification of the Paris Agremeent on climate change owes a lot to the efforts and cooperation between the EU and Pacific nations.

Andrew Jacobs is attending the Coalition of Atoll Nations on Climate Change Leaders Summit with other government heads in Tuvalu this week.

Mr Jacobs said together the Pacific and EU were at the heart of the High Ambition Coalition which ensured that the Paris Agreement was robust and ambitious.

Andrew Jacobs

Andrew Jacobs Photo: RNZI Sally Round

With ratifications this week the Agreement enters into force in November.

Mr Jacobs said Pacific countries and other small island developing states are on the front line in the battle against climate change and the EU stands shoulder to shoulder in international negotiations with its Pacific partners in this fight.

He said the atoll nations are the most vulnerable.

The ambassador said the EU has provided substantial climate funding and strives to match its words with action.

He pointed to climate financial support of 300 million Euro which went to the Pacific since 2012.