London, United Kingdom \u2013 As Fiji was struck by its third cyclone of the year on Tuesday, Greenpeace International urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to finally take action against the shipping industry\u2019s climate-polluting carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
IMO delegates are meeting in London this week to agree a long-overdue deal to phase-out emissions, but divisions have emerged between high-ambition states (Europe and the Pacific Islands) and those that want to lower ambition over the pace of emissions cuts. [1]<\/p>\n
In response, Greenpeace International political advisor Veronica Frank said:<\/p>\n
\u201cDebating timelines for emissions cuts in the safety of a London office is a luxury the people of the Pacific do not have. They are fighting for their survival and the IMO has for years failed to act. The moment for change is now and the shipping industry must pull its weight if we\u2019re to keep families and the future of our climate safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Pacific, Cyclone Keni was upgraded to a category 3 system as it approached Fiji\u2019s main island, sparking emergency evacuations and resulting in flooding and damages.<\/p>\n
Just a week earlier, Cyclone Josie had swamped the country\u2019s main island, resulting in five deaths. In its aftermath, Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said his country had entered a \u201cfrightening new era\u201d of climate threats. [2]<\/p>\n
\u201cForced to prepare with our families for yet another severe cyclone, it is extremely disappointing that some countries at the IMO meeting are trying to prevent the climate action the world needs for a safe future,\u201d said Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner, from Fiji.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may be scared, tired and frustrated, but we also know who is blocking the emissions cuts we need for survival. We are watching. If you are a true friend of the Pacific, please don\u2019t just send us your prayers and thoughts. Do something to prevent yet another disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frank added:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shipping industry already has the operational and technical solutions at hand to significantly cut emissions and costs. There is no excuse not to agree on a full phase-out of emissions by 2050 at the latest. Anything less would be a grave injustice to the people of the Pacific and the rest of the world. No region of the world is safe from climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n
Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Read about the meeting here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Read the statement here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Contacts:<\/b><\/p>\n Veronica Frank, Greenpeace International political advisor, +351 935371683, veronica.frank@greenpeace.org<\/span><\/a>, (in London)<\/p>\n Matisse Walkden-Brown, Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner, matisse.walkden-brown@greenpeace.org<\/span><\/a>, (in Fiji)<\/p>\n