FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 April, 2026
Photos available here
Pacific Islanders rallied to call on the Australian government to end its fossil fuel addiction and pioneer the Pacific’s renewable energy transition, as new estimates show some Pacific countries have lost tens of millions to fuel spikes in the last two months.
The action is part of “The Great Power Shift,” a flagship campaign to end dependence on fossil fuels and ensure affordable energy for all, launched today by 350.org groups and partners from Asia, Pacific, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and North America.
The call was echoed at the first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, where more than 50 nations gathered to pioneer ways to break their dependence on gas, oil and coal. Australia and Canada account for half of fossil fuel production gathered in Santa Marta.
Jacynta Fa’amau, 350.org Pacific Campaigner said:
“Fossil fuel companies reap obscene profits even while everyday people in Pacific island countries, Australia and New Zealand suffer various states of emergency, choked by fossil fuel dependence. The polycrisis of climate change, energy insecurity and skyrocketing cost of living has shown us that our region critically needs to move beyond fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy. Australia can spearhead this by stopping monstrous carbon bombs like BMA’s Peak Downs mine and stepping up to lead the region’s era of renewable energy security.”
Many small island nations are currently facing an energy crisis, caused by a high fossil fuel dependence and exacerbated by global conflict.
New estimates by 350.org reveal that oil price spikes cost ordinary people and businesses in Fiji almost an additional USD $20 million (US$18.67 million – US$19.65 million)[1] in the first 60 days of the Iran war. In addition to the horrific loss of human life, campaigners say that the war has facilitated an “obscene transfer” of wealth from struggling households to fossil fuel giants already reaping massive windfall profits.
Fenton Lutunatabua, 350.org Pacific and Caribbean Lead said:
“Pacific Island Countries urgently need to turn to renewables to reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and to ease the burden on everyday people. In Fiji alone, an estimated USD $20 million has left our coffers and lined the pockets of oil and gas corporations, people who are profiting off of the devastating war and death of thousands. They profit and we pay, and something drastically needs to change.”
Earlier, 350.org revealed that globally, soaring oil and gas prices could cost the global economy US$600billion to more than US$1 trillion by the end of 2026. [2] On top of soaring energy bills, a report by 350.org also shows that households shoulder an extra US$12 trillion each year in “hidden” fossil fuel costs – or fossil fuel subsidies, tax breaks, health impacts, and climate damages that society pays for through taxes and out of pocket expenses. [3]
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Notes to Editor:
[1] The 350.org analysis calculates losses from price spikes using weighted oil price averages since the start of the Iran war, combined with national consumption levels and adjustments for uncertainty, such as reduced demand and rationing in response to rising prices.
It does not yet include wider knock-on effects, such as rising fertiliser and food costs, declines in economic output and employment, or broader inflation driven by fossil fuel price volatility. As a result, the true economic damage is likely significantly higher than the losses from oil and gas prices alone.
[2] As reported in The Guardian
[3] 350.org’s report “Out of Pocket: How Fossil Fuels are Draining Households and Economies”
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