COP28 Unwrapped: Pacific Voices, Climate Finance, and the Real Costs We Can't Ignore

by Regan Wineera, Summer Intern at Pacific Cooperation Foundation

Kia ora, whanau! So, we just wrapped up this year's COP28, hosted by the UAE, and I'm here to break down what went down in Dubai and why it matters for us, the youth in Aotearoa and my cuzzies of the Moana.

First off, they threw around terms in the media like: climate resilience, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation, not to mention this loss and damages fund and talk of $ 85.1 billion dollars committed to climate finance - and well It got me thinking about what's the deal with these specific terms and why should we care?

Climate resilience is about beefing up our physical infrastructure – to handle wild weather. Take Vanuatu, for example; they’re upgrading their roads to withstand Pacific-sized storms, cyclones and king tides. But Why? Well, first of all you have to; secondly it's a lifesaver. It protects people and property and keeps things ticking along normally, even when Mother Nature throws a tantrum.

Then there's climate mitigation, like tackling climate change at its roots. Think about cutting back on fossil fuels and investing in cleaner, greener energy. It's the real superhero’s move to slow down global warming and stick to that Paris Agreement promise of 1.5 degrees.

And don't get confused with climate adaptation; it's like resilience but on a bigger scale. Kiribati's on to it, figuring out how to tackle rising sea levels and protect food sources such as their fisheries. Big moves for big problems!

Now, what's cooking for the Pacific? They've put $700 million into this loss and damage fund at COP28, and there's talk of 'Blue Pacific Prosperity.' Thanks to the IMF and World Bank, it’s all about saving our oceans, looking after our health and safety, and having the cash flow.

Our Pacific leaders are stoked about this, saying it's a game-changer for financing projects, especially those focused on the ocean. They're not just talking; they're acting, pushing for justice and amplifying the Pacific voice from traditional leaders to us, the youth.

One begs the question - How much of this will actually flow through to the Pacific?

But, hold up; not everything is peachy. COP28 went down in Dubai, a place known for oil, and the current COP president used to be knee-deep in that industry. Some call it greenwashing; others say it's just lip service. And let’s talk about the first-ever global stocktake conducted. It sounded long overdue, but it doesn’t look good. Experts say we might miss that 1.5-degree mark set in Paris.

Why? For one, the small Pacific nations struggle to get heard. It's like trying to shout in a crowded room – we're small, so people don't always listen. Plus, lobbyists are pushing their agenda, trying to keep fossil fuels around and ditching plans to transition.

Now, my take on all this? Sure, there are funds, promises, and tech to tackle climate issues. But what about climate migration? Imagine being forced out of your ancestral home because the sea's creeping in. That's the real letdown – not addressing the fact that our people might have to pack up and leave because of climate change.

So, yeah, there's progress, but let's not forget the real cost – our homes, our communities, and our future. The fight isn't over, fam. We've got work to do.

Alot…..