Pacific Island States navigate Covid sidewalks to attend COP26

For Xavier Matsutaro, traveling to the Scottish city of Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference will be one of the longest trips of his life.

It will take around four days for the negotiator to travel from Palau, a Pacific island nation between the Philippines and Hawaii, to Scotland as he joins an international migration of some 25,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries heading to the UK. United for the summit, which runs from October 31 to November 12.

“We fly from here to Guam, then to Hawaii, then to Texas or something – somewhere on the American continent – then from there to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt to Glasgow,” said Matsutaro, the national climate change coordinator for Palau. “It’s quite a journey. ”

Matsutaro’s trip, and those of thousands of other delegates, has been complicated by the closure of simpler routes amid Covid-19 travel restrictions – ironically worsening the environmental impact of the summit itself.

COP26 is the largest diplomatic summit to take place face-to-face since the coronavirus pandemic interrupted travel. Its objective is to finalize the rules for implementing the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2C compared to pre-industrial levels. About 120 heads of state, including US President Joe Biden, will be in attendance.

For delegates, who represent the 197 countries that approved the Paris agreement, getting there means navigating Covid-19 restrictions, quarantines and vaccination requirements as well as visa rules.

The journey is particularly difficult for some of the countries most affected by climate change: a group of 14 Pacific island nations in stark contrast to Scotland which, even in normal times, would have convoluted roads to reach Europe.

These nations, many of which are part of low-lying, exposed archipelagos and see climate change as an existential threat, are small but historically have had a disproportionate influence at annual COP summits. They are part of the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis), a powerful bloc of 39 countries that often vote as a bloc at the COP, and are among the strongest voices calling for climate action.

Tina Stege, climate negotiator for the Marshall Islands, said she was still in discussions with colleagues on whether the country would be able to send a delegation to Scotland or send representatives from embassies instead. abroad. The Marshall Islands has a four-week quarantine period for anyone entering the country, making it difficult to leave and return.

“The Pacific has always been one of the highest voices for climate ambition, to limit global warming to 1.5 ° C. [above pre-industrial levels]”Stege said.” Obviously it would be a big blow if one of our Pacific people weren’t here. “

According to Tagaloa Cooper-Halo, director of climate change resilience at the Pacific Regional Environment Program Secretariat, coordinating group. Others, including Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa, will be represented by delegates from their missions abroad.

“Right now, most of the Pacific is on lockdown, and has been since about March of last year,” Cooper-Halo said. “The Pacific has been struggling to find ways to get there, given the global pandemic. “

The Cook Islands will not send anyone. A spokesperson said that “the pandemic and the recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases in countries which are transit points for the Cook Islands” meant that travel to the UK could not be done without a way that ensures the health of the people of the Cook Islands.

The UK government said it was working on developing a virtual participation platform at COP26 and “working closely with international partners and the [UN climate change division]”To help all delegations reach Glasgow. “We are determined to ensure that COP26 is an inclusive event in which all countries can participate,” said a spokesperson.

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama plans to visit Glasgow, the first time he has left the country since last year. “It shows how important the COP is to us,” said Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General of Fiji and Minister responsible for climate change. “It’s a long journey. We are working to find the best route.

The travel emissions associated with COP have increased over the years, as has attendance. Although the host nation usually pays compensation to compensate, some critics accuse delegates of hypocrisy for having traveled such long distances to participate.

Australia and New Zealand are normally transit hubs for many Pacific islands, but both have strict quarantine requirements, including for transit passengers.

The Australian and New Zealand governments have confirmed they are working with Pacific island countries to help them reach Glasgow. Options include assistance with flights, quarantine locations and financial support, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

Canberra’s help is coming even though the country’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signaled he may not attend COP26. Morrison has been widely criticized for failing to set higher climate targets for Australia.

Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Development Program, said: “It would be ironic if small island developing states could not participate. [at COP26]. “They are a group of leading countries within the convention. . . and . . . are the main potential victims [of climate change]. “

Pacific Islanders who can make it to Glasgow are already packing for the trek. The Palau delegation will have 25 members this year, the largest on record, including the president.

“This problem [climate change] is so urgent for us, ”said Matsutaro, who will be flying next Monday. “Covid19… Is not going to stop us from going.

As part of our coverage of COP26, we want to hear from you. Do you think carbon pricing is the key to tackling climate change? Tell us via a short survey We’ll share some of the most interesting and thought-provoking responses in our newsletters or in an upcoming story.

Climate capital

Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Check out FT’s coverage here.

Are you curious about the FT’s commitments to environmental sustainability? Learn more about our scientific goals here