by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
The Marshall Islands in the Pacific region is the first Pacific Island nation and the first developing nation to agree to the Kigali pact.
The Kigali pact was agreed in October 2016 in Rwanda by almost 200 nations including the United States, to support the drive in cutting down the use of hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs worldwide.
As a smaller nation exposed to risks of climate change, in 2015 before the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, the Marshall Islands vowed to cut down greenhouse emissions as part of its commitment towards addressing climate change.
The step taken by the island was recognised to be one of great importance not only for the people of the island, but for the global common benefit.
By making this vow, the island was aiming to reduce 32 percent of emissions by 2025 and 45 percent by 2030, in line with its longer term vision move towards a zero-net emissions by 2050.
Making this vow, the island aimed to reduce 32 percent of emissions by 2025, and forecasted at 45 percent by 2030. Following its vow on cutting carbon emissions, on Tuesday, the island confirmed the Kigali Pact, to drive its support on cutting down use of HFCs.
Now with the pact, Marshall Island President Hilda Heine says the deal is good for her people, the planet and the profits of those that follow these footsteps, and is a positive sign, driving effective measures towards limiting global warming.
“My country will not survive without urgent action to cut emissions by every country and every sector of our economies, including HFCs,” said Heine. “Our rapid ratification of the Kigali Amendment is yet another demonstration of our commitment to the Paris Agreement.
Heine has urged others to also do the same to help the global temperature with the efforts to cutting down HFC emissions.
Image: Marshallese president Hilda Heine in the Nitijela (parliament) after the vote to approve the amendment. (Photo: Hilda Heine)
