World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Cocos Islands residents say they were left out of climate talks
Residents of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a remote Australian territory, say they feel overlooked in the country’s climate efforts.
Australia held meetings in Tuvalu and Fiji ahead of COP31, a major climate forum in Türkiye.
The Cocos Islands face flooding and coastal erosion, much like Pacific island nations.
The United Nations approved the islands’ application to attend COP31, but the Australian government did not select it for funding.
Residents hoped to share their experiences and learn how other islands are responding to climate risks.
They also say they have not been meaningfully consulted about a coastal plan that includes retreat, which many residents oppose.
The government says the plan will help guide the islands’ response, and the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute says it will continue working with the community.
Residents of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands say they were excluded from Australian government climate talks held in Tuvalu and Fiji ahead of COP31.
The islands’ delegation was approved by the United Nations but did not receive Australian government funding to attend.
Residents say attending could have raised global awareness of climate risks and helped them learn from other island communities.
They also say they have not been meaningfully consulted about plans to manage coastal hazards.
The federal climate department says support for Pacific partners complements support for Australian communities facing climate risks.
- Who
- Residents of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, including Luluk Sloan and Rose Cummins, say they were left out.
- What
- Their proposed delegation was not selected for Australian government funding to attend pre-COP meetings.
- When
- The meetings were held this week ahead of COP31; the delegation was told it was unsuccessful just before the talks.
- Where
- The meetings were in Tuvalu and Fiji. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian territory.
- Why
- The delegation was not selected for funding; the reason is not stated.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands residents
Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water
Climate talks
Cocos (Keeling) Islands residents
Residents say they missed an opportunity to tell their story globally and learn how other island communities are responding to climate risks.
Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water
The department says engagement with Pacific partners complements, rather than replaces, support for Australian communities facing climate risks.
Coastal planning
Cocos (Keeling) Islands residents
Residents say consultation on coastal risks has not been meaningful and that the community reference group will not influence policy.
Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy and Water
The department says the Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan is a key step in helping the islands respond and adapt to climate change.
I think it's a disappointment that we don't have that link; we can't really tell our story globally.
We are an Australian territory, who's voicing for us? Who's vouching for us? No-one.
I guess we would just like the same opportunity.
Engagement with Pacific partners complements, rather than replaces, our support for Australian communities facing climate risks.
A community reference group for the islands was promised, according to Rose Cummins.
Expressions of interest for the community reference group were issued, according to Rose Cummins.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands delegation was told it had not been selected for Australian government funding.
The federal government held pre-COP meetings in Tuvalu and Fiji ahead of COP31.
- Distance from Pacific meetings
- 8,900km
- Proposed panel
- Submitted by the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute
- Funding decision
- The delegation was not selected for Australian government funding
- UN application
- Approved
- COP31 host country
- Türkiye
Sources
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