This year marks 10 years since the historic signing of the Paris Agreement. A decade on, the need for action has only grown more urgent, said Marshall Islands climate advocates who provided the following update to the Journal.
The climate meetings in Bonn, Germany last month focused on laying the groundwork for the 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil in November. The negotiations were both technical and deeply political.
Despite a small delegation, Marshallese voices were strong. As powerful countries sought to water down their commitments, RMI and fellow Small Island Developing States reinforced the urgency of upholding past promises and delivering new ambition.
Tina Stege, Marshall Islands climate envoy, acted as the co-chair for negotiations that decide how the UN Climate Change process operates. Broderick Menke served as the co-coordinator on the Global Goal on Adaptation for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the grouping of 39 island and coastal nations that negotiate together as a bloc.
Climate Envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner presented the Marshall Islands’ new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) during the “Annual NDC Dialogue.” As one of just a handful of NDCs submitted ahead of the UN deadline, RMI’s NDC is an example to the 150+ countries still to publish their own.
During the session, RMI shared how we set out clear contributions to the global goals of tripling renewables, transitioning away from fossil fuels and aligning emission reductions to the 1.5°C global warming limit.
During an event on the Paris Agreement’s 10-year anniversary, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell reflected on its transformative impact, emphasizing that without it, “we would be headed for up to 5°C of heating.”
The event brought together key figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the Paris Agreement and securing its adoption. Many panelists spoke warmly of the legacy of Tony deBrum, who established the High Ambition Coalition that secured the 1.5°C limit in the Paris Agreement, recalling the moment when he led ministers from around the world arm-in-arm into the final plenary discussions to get the Paris Agreement over the line.
Tina discussed the legacy of the High Ambition Coalition, which, since Paris, has helped secure critical commitments, such as a doubling of adaptation finance and the historic global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
Bonn also served as an opportunity to learn about new climate finance opportunities for the Marshall Islands to advance climate implementation.
As we look ahead to COP30, it’s crucial to reflect on what made the Paris Agreement possible. The challenges are growing, but the Marshall Islands will keep pushing loudly, clearly, and together with our island allies, for higher ambition and swifter action.
—This update was provided to the Journal by Climate Envoy Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner