Vanuatu prepares to sue fossil fuel companies

Chris Wright
Posted by Chris Wright November 22, 2018

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Vanuatu is considering suing fossil fuel companies that continue to contribute to climate change, the nation’s foreign minister has warned, in what could be a world first legal action by a climate vulnerable country.

Where: The announcement was made as the Climate Vulnerable Forum kicked off their Virtual Climate Summit, a first of its kind live-streamed virtual meeting of heads of state.

Key on the agenda: The IPCC just released their report on the impacts and potential of keeping global warming down to just 1.5 °C – in case you haven’t read it, check it out here.

Yes, I know it looks like it was designed in a 1970’s thai-dai t-shirt stall. It’s important ok. But if I haven’t convinced you yet, just read check this infographic out:

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What Vanuatu Said: Vanuatu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Regenvanu, said his country is exploring legal actions against the world’s most polluting fossil fuel corporations and countries facilitating the industry for their roles in creating catastrophic climate change.

“I am therefore today putting the fossil fuel industry, and the states that sponsor it, on notice”, said Regenvanu.

“My government is now exploring all avenues to utilise the judicial system in various jurisdictions – including under international law – to shift the costs of climate protection back onto the fossil fuel companies, the financial institutions and the governments that actively and knowingly created this existential threat to Vanuatu.”

Why is he so angry: Vanuatu is home to 82 different islands – many of its islands sit less than a metre above sea level.

In 2015, Cyclone Pam smashed into Vanuatu, killing more than 15 people. It also left “75,000 homeless and caused more than $590 million in damage”, According to  Greenpeace Australia Pacific Head of Pacific Net, Kelvin Anthony.

“That’s equivalent to 64 percent of the Vanuatu’s GDP.”

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcH4rmH20kc” align=”center”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]What else happened: The Virtual Climate Summit included Heads of States and government representatives from several European countries, including Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

It also included the Marshall Islands, whose President, Dr. Hilda C. Heine, announced a new and more ambitious climate target for her country, as part of the Paris Agreement.

The target includes a include a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030. It also sets a target of reducing emissions of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 58% below 2010 levels by 2035.

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