New Zealand helps Pacific nations with climate change targets ahead of Paris talks

New Zealand will help Pacific island countries to develop their responses to climate change at a workshop for officials this year, Minister for Climate Change Issues Tim Groser said Friday.

The two-day workshop to form responses ahead of international talks in December would be hosted in Auckland by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry for the Environment, Groser said in a statement which gave no dates.

"Climate change is an international problem affecting all nations. Pacific islands are some of the most vulnerable to its impacts. They are also playing a leadership role in terms of action," said Groser.

"In December countries will meet in Paris to establish a new international climate change agreement. Each nation has been asked to decide what individual contribution it can make, based on its own circumstances," he said.

At the workshop, New Zealand would share how it was developing its contribution to the Paris meeting and hear about the experiences of Pacific island countries as they work on their responses.

"If we can help Pacific island nations to formulate targets that make sense in terms of their priorities this will help ensure the Paris agreement will deliver a durable, globally effective climate change agreement," said Groser.

"The likely energy sector focus of Pacific island nations' response to climate change fits well with New Zealand's support for sustainable economic development in the region, including through the 100 million NZ dollars (75.33 million U.S. dollars) we are investing in clean, efficient and affordable energy in the Pacific and further afield," he said. Endi