Sustainable energy pacts renewed

 THE European Union yesterday renewed sustainable energy declarations with four Pacific Island states to enhance political determination on sustainable energy. 

The agreements were signed with Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Nauru and Palau. Tonga and Tuvalu will follow soon in the agreements. 

The joint agreements are the third for the six Pacific countries.  

European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete praised the countries for their participation in the renewal sustainable energy drive.

“Sustainable energy is the tool for sustainable development. This is especially true in small developing island states such as the Pacific islands, where dependency on imported fuel is so costly that it is hampering economic growth and where energy is even more underlined with climate change issues than in other parts of the world.

“This will give us the opportunity to work closely in the coming years to ensure resilience to climate change,” he said. 

President of Palau Thomas Remengesau lauded EU for the renewable energy projects and called on other countries in the region to join in the efforts to reduce carbon emissions.  “EU has provided us all many of the tools and the financing mechanisms to permit us to grasp this issue and to take decisive action to achieve our respective national goals and adjectives.”