The Marshall Islands says international talks underway in Europe on contributions to reducing carbon emissions have been constructive.
Representatives from numerous Pacific Islands governments are in Brussels for the so-called Ministerial on Climate Action.
Photo: 123r
The meeting is organised by the European Union, China and Canada.
Countries in attendance are discussing the various voluntary pledges on reducing carbon emissions made under the UN Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.
Earlier this week in Berlin, the Marshalls' Environment Minister David Paul appealed to Germany's government to lead the way in raising its contribution.
If we don’t step up global ambition & enhance NDCs by 2020, we won’t be able to stay within the Paris Agreement temperature limits. My atoll nation depends on it. My personal appeal to Chancellor Merkel to help lead the world again #HighAmbitionCoalition #PetersbergDialogue #PCD9 pic.twitter.com/yrx8VEIwJH
— David Paul (@MinisterDPaul) June 19, 2018
As the dialogue process moved to the headquarters of the EU, Mr Paul said talks had been very productive.
"We were able to discuss in more of an interactive manner on the issues that are slowing down the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and I think the momentum that we carry from Berlin until now here in Brussels, it really gives us a lot of hope," said Mr Paul.
David Paul said there would be an important announcement tomorrow, although he didn't elaborate.
A child on Kiribati watches the sunset on an ever rising ocean. Photo: Courtesy of UNICEF New Zealand
Meanwhile, the EU is in the process of increasing its pledged carbon reductions.
The EU's current pledge to the Paris deal is for a cut of "at least 40%".
But According to Climate Change News, after a series of new measures were approved this month, the EU will now cut its emissions by more than 45% below 1990 levels by 2030.
The EU counts for less than 10% of global carbon emissions and called on all other nations to do more.
