The Right Honourable Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has called for greater climate ambition, increased financing and decisive international action to protect Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from the escalating impacts of climate change.
The Prime Minister made the call on November 12, while delivering Antigua and Barbuda’s National Statement at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
In his address, Prime Minister Browne described climate change as an existential crisis for small island nations, threatening their sovereignty, economic stability and the livelihoods of their people. He pointed to the latest Emissions Gap Report, which warns that global warming could reach approximately 2.6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, even if existing national commitments are fully implemented.
He urged major emitting countries to accelerate emissions reductions to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach, stressing that every fraction of a degree matters.
A major focus of the statement was the urgent need for accessible and affordable climate financing. Prime Minister Browne called for a credible pathway to triple adaptation finance by 2035, mobilise at least US$300 billion annually and scale up financing towards US$1.3 trillion.
He emphasised that financing for vulnerable countries must be predictable, affordable and predominantly grant-based, warning against placing additional debt burdens on nations already struggling with the consequences of a crisis they did little to create.
The Prime Minister also called for an ambitious third replenishment of the Green Climate Fund, simplified access to climate financing and adequate capitalisation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Highlighting opportunities for sustainable development, he pointed to the Caribbean’s renewable energy potential and vast ocean resources, noting that affordable capital, technology transfer and innovative partnerships are essential to strengthening energy security and building resilience.
“We are not asking for charity. We are demanding fairness, climate justice and the financing necessary to secure our future,” Prime Minister Browne declared.
He reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s readiness to work with the international community to facilitate stronger climate commitments and investment, while urging world leaders to move beyond negotiations and pledges towards tangible results.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging COP31 to become a turning point in the global climate response, moving from promises to performance, from pledges to investment, and from climate rhetoric to climate justice.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Prime Minister Browne calls for climate justice and increased financing at COP31.