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Australia and Tuvalu have announced a treaty centred around Tuvalu’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change. The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty features two main components: the granting of Australian permanent residency to Tuvaluan citizens affected by the consequences of climate change, and the guarantee of security from both parties.
Tuvalu is composed of nine islands that are 4.5 meters above sea level in the central Pacific Ocean, making them extremely vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels threaten Tuvalu’s 11,000 citizens, exhibited by the prediction that by 2050, tidal waters will flood half of the land area of the capital, Funafuti. This reality has been emphasized by Tuvalu through its expressed desire to create a digital version of its history and culture, as well as by Foreign Minister Simon Kofe who delivered his UN Climate Change Conference speech from the sea. Conversely, Australia has been recently criticised for its growing oil, gas and coal industries in a time where its neighbours are facing the extinction of their land, receiving specific scrutiny from Pacific nations.
The first aspect of the treaty details Australia’s promise of a pathway for Tuvalu citizens affected by the climate crisis to live, work, and study in Australia, as well as have access to Australian education, healthcare, and income support. This would ultimately lead to the option of permanent residency and possible citizenship, a pathway that may be necessary if Tuvalu continues to face the disproportionate effects of climate change. Additionally, Australia has promised to collaborate with Tuvalu to adapt to climate change, pledging to work with Tuvalu on their coastal reclamation project that hopes to expand Funafuti’s land mass by 6% and reclaim land for their citizens. Australia has more broadly promised to help Tuvalu adapt to the changing climate, possibly including disaster-resilience measures or the development of warning systems.
Although the treaty is seemingly a simple moral gesture, the second aspect of the treaty is the security guarantee between the two nations. Although this agreement is mainly centred around climate change, Australia has not only agreed to fulfil requests from Tuvalu to assist in the event of major natural disasters but also to respond to military aggression against Tuvalu. This is contingent on Tuvalu seeking Australia’s approval if they wish to enter into a security or defence deal with another nation, essentially granting Australia veto power on Tuvalu’s security interests.
The security component of the treaty is especially important as it brings into question Australia’s true intentions in entering into this agreement, are they being selfless or selfish? It is significant to acknowledge that this treaty is occurring in a time where influence in the Pacific is sought after by many nations. For example, the United States’ authority over Palau and the Marshall Islands’ security, as well as New Zealand’s security arrangements with the Niue and Cook Islands. More significantly, China’s influence in the Pacific has been steadily growing, with a recent example being their security agreement with the Solomon Islands ensuring that their police receive military equipment and training. However, the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty is a fool-proof way of preventing China’s possible security influence over Tuvalu due to Australia’s effective veto power over Tuvaluan security partnerships.
Although the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty is a positive gesture towards protecting vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change, there is no doubt that there are ulterior motives involved. Despite Australia’s promises to help Tuvalu adapt to the climate crisis, they still have not taken responsibility for the damage Australia is causing to islands like Tuvalu for supporting the coal and gas industries, nor have they taken strong initiatives to reduce the impact of these industries. Furthermore, their desire for influence over the Pacific region diminishes the morality and selflessness of the treaty, exhibiting how nations may only act on the climate crisis if it benefits them to do so.
Image: Aboodi Vesakaran, 2022//CC0 1.0 DEED
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