Jacinda Ardern says Australia has to 'answer to Pacific' on climate change

New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda
 Ardern, has warned Australia that it
has to ‘answer to the Pacific’ over climate
change.

Jacinda Ardern has declared that “Australia has to answer to the Pacific” on climate change, saying that New Zealand is doing what it can to limit global emissions to 1.5C and expects other nations to do the same.

However, the New Zealand prime minister stopped short of saying New Zealand would throw its weight behind the smaller Pacific nations who are urging Australia to commit to a rapid transition from a coal-based economy at this year’s Pacific Islands Forum.

“Issues around Australia’s domestic policy are issues for Australia,” she said, when asked about Australia’s coal use.

Ardern said she had “every expectation that this Pacific Islands Forum will be dominated by climate change” and reiterated her government’s commitment to reducing emissions, citing the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2035, which is currently working its way through New Zealand parliament.

Read the story from The Guardian by Kate Lyons - “Jacinda Ardern says Australia has to 'answer to Pacific' on climate change."