Mia Amor Mottley
Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of the island nation of Barbados took on the global north at the Conference of Parties (COP26), accusing them of making climate commitments based on technology yet to be invented, calling it reckless at best, disastrous at worst.
She spoke to THE WEEK on the sidelines of the summit. Excerpts:
Q\ You made a riveting speech from the island nations’ perspective about the climate crisis at the World Leaders Summit and called out the developed world. What are your expectations from countries like India?
A\ Time is not on our side. I expect that all countries of the world—India, China, European Union, the United States, everyone—respond to get it right for the world this time. We have to put in the added effort of ambition to stay as close to 1.5°C [limiting global warming to below 1.5°C] as possible. We also need to find the finances for adaptation. Island countries like mine have to adapt to continue to exist, and we need resources for that.
Q\ 1.5 °C or 2 °C?
A\ We have to scale up ambition to keep close to 1.5 °C rise; 2 °C rise is disastrous for countries like mine.
Despite all talk of fund commitments, the finances have not materialised from the global north. Countries have to recognise that if they do not act now for mitigation and adaptation, the world will have the problem of climate migrants. Those nations which are now not that affected, too, will get affected one way or the other, either through climate change events, or through the influx of migrants. So, it is in everyone’s interests to act now.
Q\ What is your country committing to the action?
A\We are working towards getting all our electricity generation by renewables by 2030, all vehicles to run on green fuel by 2035 and also to align the rest of our economy towards renewables by 2035. We all have to do our share.
Q\ Do you believe there will be a consensus among countries by the end of the summit?
A\I am hopeful. But I am also realistic. Let us see.