Climate change

The climate crisis demands sovereign debt justice
The climate crisis demands sovereign debt justice
International scientific and economic research suggests that developing countries, many of which neither created nor benefitted from historical greenhouse gas emissions, are…
Understanding “loss and damage” from climate change across the Indo-Pacific
Understanding “loss and damage” from climate change across the Indo-Pacific
Floods in Southeast Asia, severe tropical cyclones in the Pacific, islands and coastal settlements threatened by sea level rise and millions of displaced people as a result. ­The…
The cost-benefit of turning “dirty” shipping clean
The cost-benefit of turning “dirty” shipping clean
What do you value more – stopping climate chaos or keeping global shipping cheap? That was the dilemma many developing countries faced at the wood-panelled London headquarters of…
Setting the standard: An important step on the path to net zero emissions
Setting the standard: An important step on the path to net zero emissions
The release of international standards rarely makes global headlines, but they are an essential backdrop to our everyday lives. Without international standards on postage,…
Samoa and the Alliance of Small Islands States show climate security is also about loss and damage
Samoa and the Alliance of Small Islands States show climate security is also about loss and damage
Samoa assumed a leadership role in January this year as chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), the negotiating bloc for small island developing states. Samoa is…
Existential risk is a whole-of-society challenge
Existential risk is a whole-of-society challenge
Existential risks have been in the news recently. In May, a group of prominent artificial intelligence experts and industry leaders warned that “Mitigating the risk of extinction…
Paris climate summit: A new global financing pact takes shape
Paris climate summit: A new global financing pact takes shape
France held the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact last month, and, as with many climate summits, one can be forgiven for being disappointed with the outcome. Despite…
Replenishing the Green Climate Fund
Replenishing the Green Climate Fund
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 as a linchpin for global solidarity between rich and poor countries. Operating under the United Nations Framework Convention…
To balance the Quad equation, India and Australia must drive an “Indo” focus
To balance the Quad equation, India and Australia must drive an “Indo” focus
For all the attention given to the Quad, the grouping itself has devoted limited time to the Indian Ocean – the “Indo” part of the Indo-Pacific region. As the two countries with…
Managing Japan-Australia energy tensions in a time of transition
Managing Japan-Australia energy tensions in a time of transition
Yamagami Shingo, who until last week served as Japan’s ambassador to Australia, again voiced criticism of Australia’s energy policy just before leaving his post. The Japanese…