World powers gather in Pacific to chart climate battle
Summary
World powers are gathering in Fiji and Tuvalu ahead of COP31 to press for stronger climate action, more finance for developing countries and greater attention to rising sea levels. Pacific leaders are using the talks to highlight the urgent threat faced by low-lying island nations, while Nepal’s foreign minister is attending after the August 26 Himalayan flood disaster.
Key Points
- Ministers and climate negotiators are meeting in Nadi, Fiji, and on Tuvalu ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Turkey.
- Pacific leaders are pushing for a 1.5C warming limit, more climate finance and stronger focus on ocean impacts.
- Tuvalu is highlighting its vulnerability to sea-level rise, with land reclamation and possible population relocation under discussion.
- Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal will attend, citing the August 26 Himalayan flood disaster as evidence that climate change is already real.
