Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has emerged as a strong advocate for small island states at the UN General Assembly, critiquing the European nations for their role in climate injustice tied to the carbon market.
During his engagements, Browne described the carbon trading system as a profit-driven scheme that primarily benefits wealthy polluters rather than the developing nations most affected by climate change. He highlighted alarming data showing that carbon emissions have increased in 2023 compared to the previous year, despite the industry receiving around $200 billion intended for emission reduction efforts.
At the Global Citizen Forum, where he was the sole head of state, Browne pushed for a global tax on fossil fuels and emphasized the inadequacy of climate finance commitments, which fall far short of what is needed to combat the escalating climate crisis.
In discussions with Global Citizens CEO Hugh Evans, he stressed the need for climate and financial justice, asserting that small island developing states are disproportionately suffering from increasingly severe climate events.
Browne also promoted investments in the SIDS Centre of Excellence, a key initiative from the recent SIDS4 Conference, and shared insights on the upcoming COP29 with CNN’s Rachel Ramirez, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable development for small island nations.
