[Photo: FILE]

Fiji will need to use its new treaty powers to push Australia to match its climate goals, as the Vuvale Union does not automatically align both countries’ targets.

Permanent Secretary for Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael made the comments during the Ministry’s submission to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance.

Dr Michael says Fiji and Australia have different climate commitments, and the treaty does not stop Australia from producing or exporting fossil fuels.

He adds that the treaty gives Fiji an important tool through Article 4.8, which allows it to require written consultations with Australia on climate matters and ask how it is meeting its climate obligations.

“We were the first to ratify the Paris Agreement at COP 31, and we also made a very strong submission in our ICJ. All of this should remain unaffected by these instruments, and we should keep pressing for them. So I think, to bring you back to the question you asked, we should invoke Article 4.8 to ask Australia how it’s meeting its obligations at the same time as we are ambitious, because that consultation in writing is allowed through this treaty, and we can actually ask them.”

Standing Committee member Virendra Lal questioned how Fiji can maintain its climate targets when Australia follows different timelines.

“How are we going to match, because when Australia’s timelines diverge from the more aggressive climate timelines advocated by Fiji? So how are we going to match, because we all have our own standards?”

Dr Sivendra Michael says Fiji is targeting 100 percent renewable electricity by 2036, but major infrastructure gaps remain.

Fiji now needs to close those gaps while using its partnership with Australia to seek climate support.