Pacific Islands discuss developing regional Pacific roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels
A roadmap for the transition can help turn the Pacific’s leadership on ambition into action and overcome the issue of scale, among other barriers, to transition in the Pacific. This discussion builds on the establishment of a Pacific Renewable Energy Commissioner, which was approved by Leaders at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August, with a mandate to support regional coordination on the transition toward 100% renewable energy and away from fossil fuels.
The Pacific has a long history of collaboration and leadership on the global transition away from fossil fuels. The Port Vila call in 2023 called for a global phase out of coal, oil and gas production, and the Pacific Islands played a central role in delivering the world’s first agreement to transition away from fossil fuels at COP28, and in calling for a global roadmap to guide the transition at COP30, which the Brazilian Presidency will present ahead of COP31.
Initiatives to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy are gathering pace, amid soaring fossil fuel import bills. BOGA and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Partnership announced support for oil and gas-dependent economies who want to develop roadmaps for their transitions, and the Asian Development Bank has established a Just Transition Support Platform for the region.
Tina Stege, COP31 Pacific Envoy and & Climate Envoy for the Marshall Islands, said:
“With climate impacts accelerating, instability rising, economies faltering and the fearsome reality of an overshoot to the 1.5C temperature limit approaching, it’s high time to transition away from fossil fuels. The Pacific needs to end its dependency on fossil fuels for our own economic and energy security. We need every region of the globe to follow us in developing a roadmap to a cheaper, cleaner, healthier, secure low-carbon energy future, so we can secure our environmental safety too.”
Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Fiji, said:
“The Pacific has, for a long time, spearheaded the transition away from fossil fuels. From the call in Port Vila three years ago for a fossil-fuel free Pacific, to this year’s Pre-COP hosted in Fiji and Tuvalu, Pacific leaders have advocated tirelessly for a global energy transition. Keeping 1.5 alive is an existential need for us. I’m proud and humbled that Fiji is hosting this event, during which the process for a new, regional roadmap will be discussed. I look forward to the continued results of the Pacific Community’s work.”
Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, Tuvalu, said:
“By examining together how to overcome our dependency on fossil fuels, looking at supply and demand options, and mapping the likely changes in trade flows, we can be an exemplar to other regions on producing roadmaps on how to make the transition happen. I hope that by the time the world gathers in Tuvalu next July at the 2nd International Conference on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels, work on a Pacific Roadmap will be well advanced and we’ll be able to lead the way once again.”
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management, Vanuatu
“Pacific nations are at the forefront of moving beyond coal, oil and gas. The call made in Port Vila three years back for a region free of fossil fuels must be turned into reality through a roadmap that charts our course together.”
Jess Gasper Jr, Minister in Assistance to the President and Minister of Environment, Republic of the Marshall Islands, said:
“The Marshall Islands has always understood that no country alone can tackle the climate crisis. Fossil fuel prices are set beyond our shores, but their impacts are felt directly by our people. Gas prices are $8 per gallon in our capital, and $20 in our outer islands. For small island nations, renewable energy is not only about cutting emissions — it is about energy security, resilience, and greater independence.
“We are grateful to the partners supporting our transition, but this must be a global effort. Through our new Pacific roadmap, we hope to show that countries can work together to deliver a just, orderly and equitable transition away from extracting, exporting and burning of coal, oil and gas — towards a cleaner, and more secure future for all.”
Sindra Sharma, International Policy Lead, Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, said:
“Last month, Pacific civil society adopted the Funafuti Call for Climate Justice. It names 1.5°C as our non-negotiable survival threshold. Ending our dependence on fossil fuels is how the Pacific holds that line. This regional roadmap is a strong step and once again centers Pacific leadership and ambition. Pacific communities are ready to help build it and see it delivered.”
André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President, said:
“When we launched the COP30 Presidency Roadmap on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, our intention was to inform and support implementation of a consensus that was reached at COP 28. We all can do a lot at the sub-national, national and regional levels and help accelerate the global transition. The Pacific’s leadership in supporting a Roadmap, and now its intention to develop a regional one, shows what moving from ambition to action can look like. As we finalise the Presidency Roadmap ahead of COP31, we look forward to working with Pacific leaders towards a just, orderly and equitable transition, and to seeing other countries and regions come forward.”
Ole Thonke, Danish Climate Ambassador and co-Chair of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, said:
“Small island developing states are on the frontline of the climate crisis and Denmark is proud to stand together with the Pacific in the fight against climate change. Our support to the establishment of the Pacific’s upcoming Regional Renewable Energy Commissioner aims to turn the vision of a fossil fuel free Pacific into reality. We congratulate our Pacific partners on their ambition to establish a regional roadmap and look forward to working with them on their next steps.”
Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), said:
“The Pacific has set an ambitious vision for its energy future. The challenge now is to ensure that the pathway is Pacific-led and Pacific-defined, reflecting the region’s unique priorities, opportunities, and circumstances. Through the Just Transition Support Platform, ADB stands ready to support Pacific countries in defining what a just transition means for the region, identifying the opportunities associated with transition, and charting feasible pathways forward, that strengthen energy security, resilience and economic development. By strengthening the evidence base for policy dialogue and investment planning, we can help ensure that the benefits of transition are widely shared, while potential impacts on vulnerable groups are managed. We look forward to working with regional and international partners to help turn that vision into action ahead of COP31.”
Pablo Vieira, Global Director of the NDC Partnership, said:
“Accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels is critical to delivering on the new round of Nationally Determined Contributions and keeping the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement within reach. Through our collaboration with the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), we’ve created a platform dedicated to supporting country-led energy transitions, from assessing the implications for national economies to developing plans needed to deliver them. As more countries aim to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on fossil fuels amid volatile global energy markets, we look forward to working with our Pacific and international partners to scale that support in the region and translate Pacific leadership into a just, orderly and equitable transition.”
Sian Bradley, Head of Secretariat for the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, said:
“Pacific leadership was central to securing the first global commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels at COP28, and to establishing the fossil fuel roadmap process at COP30. Here at pre-COP, our Pacific partners are once again demonstrating what leadership looks like. Through BOGA and its Fund, we are providing support to the most fossil fuel-dependent economies in the world, from major oil and gas producers to import-dependent small island states. We look forward to supporting the proposed regional roadmap and next steps towards a 100 per cent renewable, fossil fuel-free Pacific.”
Andrew Jones, Deputy-Director General, Pacific Community (SPC), said:
“The Pacific Community stands ready to support our member nations in establishing the Renewable Energy Commissioner and its team. We are also working with members to develop a renewable transition strategy that scales energy access and supports the region’s vision for a 100% renewable energy Pacific.”