As negotiations progressed at the United Nations global climate summit, COP28, many of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are calling for urgent acceleration of work, particularly on the Global Stocktake, noting they are running out of time to safeguard their populations from more devastating climate change impacts.  

The Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) which is comprised of small island developing states (SIDS) from the Pacific, Caribbean, African, Indian Ocean and South China Seas, joined the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) negotiating bloc, cautioning that while there have been significant wins so far, countries must not become complacent at COP28.

At this point of coordination at COP28, intense negotiations are continuing at a slow pace, with Ministers from countries now taking up the baton from coordinators to finalise outcomes. AOSIS Ministers met on Wednesday 6th December for a critical briefing on developments.

Of particular urgency to both AOSIS and the LDC Chair is a robust outcome on the Global Stocktake (GST). In the negotiating rooms, AOSIS coordinators have set out what needs to be included in the GST process to reflect the special circumstance of SIDS, ensure course correction, and accelerate what is needed to keep global warming below a 1.5°C increase. This is the key ask for AOSIS.

“If we fail in this task of achieving a strong Global Stocktake outcome, we make it significantly more difficult to leave this COP saying we can achieve the 1.5°C limit.” said AOSIS Chair, the Honourable Minister Cedric Schuster. “If we fail, the consequences will be catastrophic.”

“AOSIS calls on major emitters to enhance their commitments, including aligning their NDCs with the 1.5°C goal, leading the way on fossil fuel phase out, phasing out all fossil fuel subsidies, and ensuring peaking of global emissions before 2025 and halving them by 2030, transitioning to global net zero global emissions by 2050, with developed countries taking the lead.”

So far, participants have celebrated the achievement of the adoption of the Loss and Damage Fund by theCOP28 Plenary, with countries pledging approximately US$750 million at this point. Small islands are asking for developed countries to lead the capitalisation of this fund, with a goal of US$1 billion per annum. AOSIS has emphasized that while the pledges are indeed encouraging, countries must continue to work with urgency to create processes that provide efficient, direct access to vulnerable communities. AOSIS is also calling for an inclusive Loss and Damage Fund board on which SIDS are represented.

AOSIS also commended the progress on the Santiago Network. This is a mechanism to facilitate technical assistance to address loss and damage, and text on this matter has now been agreed. This caps a years-long negotiation process on this issue.

"The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund is a first step but we need more,” said Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Chair of the Least Developed Countries. “We have to continue pushing because this is why we are here. We do it for the men, women, children of our homes. From SIDS to LDCs we are paying the high cost. Climate change is not fair and we must course correct."

As negotiations progressed at the United Nations global climate summit, COP28, many of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are calling for urgent acceleration of work, particularly on the Global Stocktake, noting they are running out of time to safeguard their populations from more devastating climate change impacts.   The Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) which is comprised of small island developing states (SIDS) from the Pacific, Caribbean, African, Indian Ocean and South China Seas, joined the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) negotiating bloc, cautioning that while there have been significant wins so far, countries must not become complacent at COP28. At this point of coordination at COP28, intense negotiations are continuing at a slow pace, with Ministers from countries now taking up the baton from coordinators to finalise outcomes. AOSIS Ministers met on Wednesday 6th December for a critical briefing on developments. Of particular urgency to both AOSIS and the LDC Chair is a robust outcome on the Global Stocktake (GST). In the negotiating rooms, AOSIS coordinators have set out what needs to be included in the GST process to reflect the special circumstance of SIDS, ensure course correction, and accelerate what is needed to keep global warming below a 1.5°C increase. This is the key ask for AOSIS. “If we fail in this task of achieving a strong Global Stocktake outcome, we make it significantly more difficult to leave this COP saying we can achieve the 1.5°C limit.” said AOSIS Chair, the Honourable Minister Cedric Schuster. “If we fail, the consequences will be catastrophic.” “AOSIS calls on major emitters to enhance their commitments, including aligning their NDCs with the 1.5°C goal, leading the way on fossil fuel phase out, phasing out all fossil fuel subsidies, and ensuring peaking of global emissions before 2025 and halving them by 2030, transitioning to global net zero global emissions by 2050, with developed countries taking the lead.” So far, participants have celebrated the achievement of the adoption of the Loss and Damage Fund by theCOP28 Plenary, with countries pledging approximately US$750 million at this point. Small islands are asking for developed countries to lead the capitalisation of this fund, with a goal of US$1 billion per annum. AOSIS has emphasized that while the pledges are indeed encouraging, countries must continue to work with urgency to create processes that provide efficient, direct access to vulnerable communities. AOSIS is also calling for an inclusive Loss and Damage Fund board on which SIDS are represented. AOSIS also commended the progress on the Santiago Network. This is a mechanism to facilitate technical assistance to address loss and damage, and text on this matter has now been agreed. This caps a years-long negotiation process on this issue. "The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund is a first step but we need more,” said Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Chair of the Least Developed Countries. “We have to continue pushing because this is why we are here. We do it for the men, women, children of our homes. From SIDS to LDCs we are paying the high cost. Climate change is not fair and we must course correct."

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis pointed out, during his National Statement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 28), on December 2, 2023, that “thankfully, mercifully,” the record-high temperatures experienced earlier in 2023 in The Bahamas, did not translate into a catastrophic hurricane season in The Bahamas.

“We were lucky; but tropical storms and depressions did hit us,” Prime Minister Davis said, during the event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  “They caused high levels of rain, extreme winds, widespread flooding, interrupted our power supply and resulted in significant costs and lost revenue.”

“Over the coming six months, before the next ‘Hurricane Season’ begins, we can use the time to strengthen our National Youth Guard,” he added.  “We can build more homes out of the ground-breaking, carbon-negative, ocean-resistant concrete pioneered by a Bahamian company, Partanna, headed by entrepreneur Rick Fox.

“We can also raise more finance using our Blue Carbon Credits, backed by our extensive underwater fields of seagrasses, which absorb more carbon than the Amazon Rainforest.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas welcomes the pledges made in the past two days at this COP, to the ‘Loss and Damage Fund.'

“Surely this puts beyond doubt and debate, that the principle has now been settled: ‘the polluter pays’,” he said.

Prime Minister Davis added: “But it has taken 30 years to agree that there should be a fund for ‘Loss and Damage.'  And in 13 years we have not yet hit the original pledge goal of $100 billion per year.  How long must we now wait to have this new fund capitalized?  And how long must we wait before we can access the funds?

“Time is a luxury we do not have.”

Prime Minister Davis pointed out that The Bahamas is left wondering how it should interpret the pledges of the COP.

He said: “So little pledged, given what is needed.  So late in the day, given what is forecast.

Is the effort here more to reduce the ‘noise pollution’ generated by our advocacy, rather than to address the ‘carbon reduction' and ‘climate financing’ so urgently needed?

“Are we expected to remain quietly grateful?”

Prime Minister Davis added:  “Frankly, we do not understand why everyone does not share our sense of urgency.  Doing what is needed to help us, also helps you. Will you not act urgently to save yourselves?”

He pointed out that His Holiness, Pope Francis, recently exhorted world leaders, to “demonstrate the nobility of politics and not its shame."

However, Prime Minister Davis added, “our truths remain inconvenient and, to my mind, shameful."

“We still live in a world where financing always seems immediately available for the bullets and the bombs, he said.  “This is a choice.”

“We still live in a world where narrow economic interests continue to drive an increase in the burning of fossil fuels," Prime Minister Davis added. “This is also a choice.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas had no choice.

“Our plight is not seen in the images of women and children bleeding in the streets,” he noted.   “Our plight is mostly invisible: the slowly-warming seawater, slowly rising up through our porous limestone islands.”

He added that it is also seen in the slowly dying coral, no longer able to support the slowly-dying fish.

Prime Minister Davis pointed out:  “By the time our plight is made visible for all to see, our luck will have run out. It will be too late. The storm will have passed.”

“We can only pray that there is something left to see,” he added.

“Friends: we simply want to live.”

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis pointed out, during his National Statement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 28), on December 2, 2023, that “thankfully, mercifully,” the record-high temperatures experienced earlier in 2023 in The Bahamas, did not translate into a catastrophic hurricane season in The Bahamas “We were lucky; but tropical storms and depressions did hit us,” Prime Minister Davis said, during the event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  “They caused high levels of rain, extreme winds, widespread flooding, interrupted our power supply and resulted in significant costs and lost revenue.” “Over the coming six months, before the next ‘Hurricane Season’ begins, we can use the time to strengthen our National Youth Guard,” he added.  “We can build more homes out of the ground-breaking, carbon-negative, ocean-resistant concrete pioneered by a Bahamian company, Partanna, headed by entrepreneur Rick Fox. “We can also raise more finance using our Blue Carbon Credits, backed by our extensive underwater fields of seagrasses, which absorb more carbon than the Amazon Rainforest.” Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas welcomes the pledges made in the past two days at this COP, to the ‘Loss and Damage Fund.' “Surely this puts beyond doubt and debate, that the principle has now been settled: ‘the polluter pays’,” he said. Prime Minister Davis added: “But it has taken 30 years to agree that there should be a fund for ‘Loss and Damage.'  And in 13 years we have not yet hit the original pledge goal of $100 billion per year.  How long must we now wait to have this new fund capitalized?  And how long must we wait before we can access the funds? “Time is a luxury we do not have.” Prime Minister Davis pointed out that The Bahamas is left wondering how it should interpret the pledges of the COP. He said: “So little pledged, given what is needed.  So late in the day, given what is forecast. Is the effort here more to reduce the ‘noise pollution’ generated by our advocacy, rather than to address the ‘carbon reduction' and ‘climate financing’ so urgently needed? “Are we expected to remain quietly grateful?” Prime Minister Davis added:  “Frankly, we do not understand why everyone does not share our sense of urgency.  Doing what is needed to help us, also helps you. Will you not act urgently to save yourselves?” He pointed out that His Holiness, Pope Francis, recently exhorted world leaders, to “demonstrate the nobility of politics and not its shame." However, Prime Minister Davis added, “our truths remain inconvenient and, to my mind, shameful." “We still live in a world where financing always seems immediately available for the bullets and the bombs, he said.  “This is a choice.” “We still live in a world where narrow economic interests continue to drive an increase in the burning of fossil fuels," Prime Minister Davis added. “This is also a choice.” Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas had no choice. “Our plight is not seen in the images of women and children bleeding in the streets,” he noted.   “Our plight is mostly invisible: the slowly-warming seawater, slowly rising up through our porous limestone islands.” He added that it is also seen in the slowly dying coral, no longer able to support the slowly-dying fish. Prime Minister Davis pointed out:  “By the time our plight is made visible for all to see, our luck will have run out. It will be too late. The storm will have passed.” “We can only pray that there is something left to see,” he added. “Friends: we simply want to live.”

PALMDALE PRIMARY SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS joined the food security dream team on Wednesday to plant avocado and mango trees as part of The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI) One-2-One Tree Planting project launched by earlier this year.

The students, all prefects at the school, along with Principal Clinton Josey Sr., and in collaboration with BAMSI Chairman Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young and the Hon. Jomo Campbell, MP for Centreville and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, are part of a movement to help grow and support food security and food sustainability in the Bahamas.

One of the goals of the One-2-One project is to help nurture an awareness amongst the nation’s students of the importance of the agriculture sector and how they can contribute to its development. The tree planting will help the students better understand environmental stewardship, the important role the community can play in strengthening food security in the Bahamas and how small steps, like planting a single tree, is a positive step towards sustainability and empowering food insecure communities.

In the short term, the tree planting campaign is expected to plant a fruit tree in every community across the Bahamas, from schools, green spaces, and parks. According to Chairman Young, the project will also visit several Family Islands, including Cat Island and Eleuthera. He said further that by the end of the year some 500 fruit trees will have been planted, with the goal being one fruit tree for every Bahamian citizen.

Also on hand for the tree planting were sixth grade teachers Diana Curtis and Gabriella Kelson.

PALMDALE PRIMARY SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS joined the food security dream team on Wednesday to plant avocado and mango trees as part of The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI) One-2-One Tree Planting project launched by earlier this year. The students, all prefects at the school, along with Principal Clinton Josey Sr., and in collaboration with BAMSI Chairman Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young and the Hon. Jomo Campbell, MP for Centreville and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, are part of a movement to help grow and support food security and food sustainability in the Bahamas. One of the goals of the One-2-One project is to help nurture an awareness amongst the nation’s students of the importance of the agriculture sector and how they can contribute to its development. The tree planting will help the students better understand environmental stewardship, the important role the community can play in strengthening food security in the Bahamas and how small steps, like planting a single tree, is a positive step towards sustainability and empowering food insecure communities. In the short term, the tree planting campaign is expected to plant a fruit tree in every community across the Bahamas, from schools, green spaces, and parks. According to Chairman Young, the project will also visit several Family Islands, including Cat Island and Eleuthera. He said further that by the end of the year some 500 fruit trees will have been planted, with the goal being one fruit tree for every Bahamian citizen. Also on hand for the tree planting were sixth grade teachers Diana Curtis and Gabriella Kelson.

The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) visited two schools, L.W. Young Junior High School and Adelaide Primary School, as part of its One-2-One Tree Planting campaign.

L.W. Young Junior High: The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is making small, but steady steps towards building food security in the Bahamas through its One-2-One Tree Planting campaign. On Friday, the Institute, led by Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, Executive Chairman of BAMSI, visited L.W. Young Junior High School where seventh grade students in the agriculture class assisted him in planting two avocado trees. Senator Young was joined by the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Deborah Thompson, Principal of L.W. Young and Margo Fountain, the school's Agriculture Teacher for the planting exercise.

Adelaide Primary School: Overcast skies and light rain were no match for the students of Adelaide Primary School who were excited to be part of BAMSI's One-2-One Tree Planting campaign. The young agri-enthusiasts were ready to get their hands on the shovel and to learn more about the cherry and avocado trees that they were planting. Headed by Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, Executive Chairman of BAMSI, the One-2-One team was accompanied by the Hon. Vaughn Miller, Member of Parliament for Golden Isles. Rochelle Coakley, Principal of Adelaide Primary, members of her administrative team and teachers were also on hand for the planting.

The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) visited two schools, L.W. Young Junior High School and Adelaide Primary School, as part of its One-2-One Tree Planting campaign. L.W. Young Junior High: The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is making small, but steady steps towards building food security in the Bahamas through its One-2-One Tree Planting campaign. On Friday, the Institute, led by Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, Executive Chairman of BAMSI, visited L.W. Young Junior High School where seventh grade students in the agriculture class assisted him in planting two avocado trees. Senator Young was joined by the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Deborah Thompson, Principal of L.W. Young and Margo Fountain, the school's Agriculture Teacher for the planting exercise. Adelaide Primary School: Overcast skies and light rain were no match for the students of Adelaide Primary School who were excited to be part of BAMSI's One-2-One Tree Planting campaign. The young agri-enthusiasts were ready to get their hands on the shovel and to learn more about the cherry and avocado trees that they were planting. Headed by Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, Executive Chairman of BAMSI, the One-2-One team was accompanied by the Hon. Vaughn Miller, Member of Parliament for Golden Isles. Rochelle Coakley, Principal of Adelaide Primary, members of her administrative team and teachers were also on hand for the planting.