Climate change curbs must be central to foreign policy, global institutions tell Australia

A group of global institutions, including the World Bank, has told the Turnbull government that containing the effects of climate change must be a central pillar of Australia's new foreign policy.

Jackson Kiloe, the Premier of Taro in the
Solomon Islands, standing where the
 shoreline used to be. 

The group, including the Asian Development Bank, Pacific Islands Forum and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says mitigation and adaptation will be needed to address the economic and security impacts of widespread environmental upheaval.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is looking to establish a new "philosophical framework" to guide Australia's  engagement with the world. On top of a public submission process, the government recently summoned all ambassadors home to participate in an unprecedented meeting.

In the newly published submissions to the white paper process, the World Bank said 300 million people in the Asia-Pacific region were in danger of falling into extreme poverty as a result of climate change, natural disasters, disease and economic shocks.

Read the story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Climate change curbs must be central to foreign policy, global institutions tell Australia.”