New report: Pacific islands face -40% GDP growth hit due to climate change

Pacific Islanders performing traditional dance as waters rise in River Thames, London

Source: Christian Aid

Rugby playing nations Fiji, Tonga and Samoa face GDP growth hit of -40% due to climate change caused by emissions from the UK, Australia and Rugby World Cup hosts France.

UK has the eighth largest cumulative emissions in the world, more than all but three World Cup nations combined.
The average Australian is responsible for as much carbon pollution as 11 Samoans.

As Rugby World Cup takes place, ex-Australia rugby captain David Pocock and former Great Britain star Martin Offiah join call for climate action to protect vulnerable countries.

New polling reveals 43% of the UK public believe it is wrong for the Rugby World Cup to be sponsored by oil giant Total Energies, more than double that of the those who disagree (18%).

The climate crisis is set to slash the economic growth of Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa by 40%, a report by Christian Aid has warned as the rugby playing nations compete at the Rugby World Cup in France.

Christian Aid says their report highlights the climate imbalance between nations with some of the most impacted countries up against some of the biggest polluters. The charity is calling on rich countries to support countries vulnerable to climate instability through finance for adaptation and loss and damage.

According to the study, if global temperature rise hits 3C by 2100, Pacific Island nations face a reduction in GDP growth of around -40% compared to a scenario with no global heating. Fiji faces a reduction in GDP growth of -39%, Tonga of -40% and Samoa -42%. Fellow Rugby World Cup participant, Namibia, will see a GDP growth hit of -57% by 2100 in a 3C scenario and Australia -25%.

This economic damage is significantly reduced if the world limits global heating to 1.5C, a target agreed in the Paris Agreement. However, even in that scenario Pacific Island countries will still face a reduction in economic growth of -16% (Fiji), -16% (Tonga) and -22% (Samoa).

Concerns have also been raised about oil giant Total Energies' sponsorship of the tournament given the Rugby World Cup claiming "reducing impact on the environment" is one of their four core commitments. Christian Aid has described this move as a "slap in the face" to the climate vulnerable nations taking part in the World Cup.

According to fresh polling by Savanta, commissioned by Christian Aid, 43% of the UK public agree it is wrong for the Rugby World Cup to be sponsored by the oil company. In contrast, only 18% disagree. The same polling reveals 68% of UK adults agree that it is wrong for oil and gas companies to make record profits without taking responsibility for the damage caused by their activities to people and the planet.

While the individual data on England, Scotland and Wales is not available, the UK's cumulative emissions of 78.51 billion tonnes is the 8th highest in the world and equates to more than all the other countries taking part in the World Cup combined bar Italy, France and Japan.

The findings also shows that on a per person basis, Australia's current carbon emissions of 15.09 tonnes dwarf those of Tonga (1.65 tonnes), Fiji (1.59) and Samoa (1.34). It means the average Australian burns more carbon than 11 Samoans.

According to Climate Action Tracker, an independent scientific project that tracks government climate action, none of the rich polluting nations have plans which are sufficient against the goals of the globally agreed Paris Agreement. New Zealand and Argentina are both given the lowest grade of 'highly insufficient'.

Patrick Watt, Chief Executive of Christian Aid, said: "The Rugby World Cup brings together some of the world's biggest carbon emitters, and some of the most climate-vulnerable countries. When it comes to the climate crisis, there is no level playing field. The actions of big polluting countries like Australia, France and the UK have devastating consequences for low lying island nations in the Pacific, in the form of storms, and rising sea levels and temperatures. It is time for the big emitters to play by the rules, meet their commitments to limit climate change and repair the damage caused to climate-vulnerable communities. The wealthiest countries need to deliver the finance they've pledged for adaptation and commit to the loss and damage fund."

David Pocock, former captain of the Australian rugby team, and now independent senator in the Australian parliament, said: "Rugby World Cups are the pinnacle of our game, they are an opportunity to see the best of what rugby has to offer. But this report from Christian Aid highlights an uncomfortable truth.

"A growing inequality exists in our sport with rugby nations who contribute least to climate change, like Tonga, Fiji and Samoa, becoming some of those worst impacted by the unfolding crisis. Meanwhile, other nations participating in the tournament who shoulder much greater responsibility for these climate impacts - like my own country, Australia, the UK, France and others - are sidestepping responsibility and our collective opportunity to protect the future we all share.

"Just as we strive for a level playing field in sport, we must secure a fair future when it comes to climate. Rich countries must take urgent and ambitious action this decade to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, and commit to financing the Loss and Damage Fund.

"In four years the Rugby World Cup will be in Australia. In that time, I hope we will have brought about enough change to better protect Pacific island nations, who have given our game so much."

Martin Offiah, MBE, former England and Great Britain rugby league player said: "If we want to see a thriving future for rugby, we need to take climate action seriously. This report shows the stark truth that core rugby nations who are least responsible are facing a devastating future. We must stand alongside those nations and make sure that those countries who are most responsible take determined action to reduce their emissions and finance the Loss and Damage Fund by COP28. Just like a World Cup final, this is a moment for ambition and courage, not hesitation. It is the responsibility of those that have profited and polluted to help those who have profited and polluted less but are suffering more."

Dr Audrey Brouillet, researcher at the Institute of Research for Development in France, said: "Small island nations are hotspots for climate change impacts. People in these countries are highly exposed to sea-level rise, extreme weather events, coastal erosion, flooding and tropical storms. Climate models show that most atolls in the Pacific will be inhabitable by 2050, unless carbon emissions are rapidly reduced. Sea-level rise is already reducing freshwater availability in low-lying Pacific islands such as Tonga and Samoa, putting the population at risk. With further carbon emissions, flooding events that now happen on average once every 100 years will become annual by mid-century. Keeping global emissions within the more ambitious target of the Paris agreement will prevent 60,000 people living in small islands from having to leave their homes."

Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Managing Director, said: "The Pacific's passion for rugby is rivalled only by our passion for our people and our islands. This month we have watched Tonga, Fiji and Samoa come up against teams with significantly more resources and historical power. This battle is mirrored in climate discussions where Pacific governments continue to showcase the political will to fight this crisis through commitments like the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition, while supposed 'big brother' nations stifle climate ambition. In 2015, we stood by our Pacific leaders in France as they made history with the Paris Agreement and the call for a 1.5 degree limit to global heating. Today, we support our players on the same French soil as they play for their countries, their families and their villages, and we commit to do the work necessary to ensure we have islands to play for in the decades to come."

Julian Vulakoro, a former Fijian rugby international, said: "We've had amazing success here in this World Cup with the way the team have played on the pitch and we know it brings great joy to our people back home. However, it is an undeniable reality that Fiji and other Pacific islands face imminent peril from escalating sea levels, catastrophic hurricanes, and mounting temperatures. The prevailing climate crisis poses an existential menace to our very way of existence, thus necessitating the utmost urgency for industrial nations to profoundly curb their emissions and promptly engage in concerted efforts to combat climate change."

Jamie Farndale, Scotland and Great Britain Rugby Sevens international, said: "Our sport is a great one for responding to tough situations. We need to take these climate warning signs seriously, especially for the sake of nations like the Pacific Islands who bring so much to our sport and are least responsible for the climate changes that we're now seeing unfold. With COP28 coming up, those nations most responsible for climate impacts need to shoulder that responsibility, closing the emissions gap to stay within the limits set by the Paris Agreement."

LINK:

Read the Report: www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/our-work/world-disunion-climate-change-and-2023-rugby-world-cup