expand its carbon goals and to “come back to the climate financing table”. When inquired if she is suggesting an improvement in the 2030 emissions reduction target set out Canberra, the Samoan leader replied: “Of course”. “We would like Australia to do that,” PM Fiame said. “I don’t have an exact number or level of reduction that we would ask with the Australians.”
So far, the federal government of Australia has been reluctant to strengthen its contribution towards global climate efforts, and has pledged to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels. This is in stark contrast to other developed economies, with the United States having vowed to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 to 52 per cent, while the United Kingdom recently announced plans to become fossil fuel-free by the end of this decade.
Following her calls on Canberra to update its emissions targets, the Samoan leader noted that while her request may not be well received by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, however, “this is not new to him – the Pacific position has always been very clear”.
