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South Pacific Vulnerability and Adaptation Initiative
[last updated February 6, 2006 4:07 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeJanuary 2004 - December 2008 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Sub-regional Pacific
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu |
National Focal Points
At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The aim of this initiative is to enable Pacific Island countries to adapt to the future impact of climate change, climate variability and sea-level rise. Consistent with the objectives of the Pacific Island Framework for Action on Climate Change, Climate Variability and Sea Level Rise, the initiative aims to strengthen regional collaboration between relevant multilateral and regional technical agencies and other bilateral donors, and to enlist the support of key government, community and private stakeholders.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsTarget: A feasibility study for the regional financing facility (mentioned above) was undertaken in the period September to December 2002 for consideration at a regional meeting in 2003. Other activities will proceed in parallel with the study.
Expected results: Consultations with Pacific Island partners, having regard to their National Communications provided under UNFCC and to national assessments and stakeholder consultations undertaken for WSSD. Results will include increased capacity in Pacific Island governments and communities to adapt to climate change and variability. Activities could include vulnerability studies, pilot projects and institutional strengthening. Funding may also be provided to co-finance the activities of other donors in the region or channeled through the Pacific regional climate change adaptation financing facility, currently under consideration. This facility (if established) would be based in an existing key regional organisation (SPREP or SOPAC) and involve other relevant Pacific organisations. Its functions may include: * Mobilisation of additional financing for the region (especially from new donors); * Support for improved coordination among donors and beneficiaries; * Support for improved coordination between various global and regional organisations involved in climate change and climate adaptation activities; * Promotion of rules and guidelines for access and implementation of adaptation funds by Pacific Island Countries. |
Progress against targetsThe V&A initiative responds to concerns expressed in the region to potential impacts from climate change. The A$4 million initiative includes 3 components: small grants to support community level adaptation activities, support for water resource activities in Tuvalu, and strengthening meteorology services in the region.
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Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
* The initiative will give particular emphasis to capacity building measures in Pacific Island countries in order to improve their adaptation to climate change, climate variability and sea level rise and their preparedness for disaster response through:
* Targeted training in a range of adaptation techniques, including impact assessment, risk management and the integration of these techniques within national development planning and the wider community
* Information support to communities, private sector and government through education and awareness programmes, the dissemination of case studies and summaries for policy makers. Print, radio, visual and web-based media will be used.
* Institutional strengthening of relevant government ministries, such as national planning, finance and environment, cabinet and ministerial committees, as well as local organisations and community groups involved in vulnerability assessment and adaptation.
* Pilot projects will be used to build capacity and demonstrate the effectiveness of a range of adaptation options.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
* Agenda 21: Means of Implementation 37.1 - 37.13 - "National Mechanisms and International Cooperation for Capacity Building in Developing Countries".
* Millennium Declaration: Resolution 17 on the special needs of Small Island Developing States. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
* Millennium Declaration: Resolution 17 on the special needs of Small Island Developing States. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Protection of the atmosphere; National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Sectors and issues
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development of small island developing States ; Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipRegular meetings of regional and multilateral agencies (including the Climate Change Roundtable) and with in-country focal points to plan and implement activities. Timing to be confirmed with relevant partners.
Monitoring arrangements will be determined through discussions with partner organisations. Normal AusAID project monitoring will apply to those projects managed by AusAID. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipFinal details are still being arranged with SPREP and other regional agencies.
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Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 3000000
Source(s): Government
The Australian Government's overseas aid program (AusAID) has committed four million australian dollars over seven years for the Vulnerability and Adaptation initiative. The initiative will seek opportunities to co-finance with other donors and inter-governmental agencies. The Initiative has provided support for a high level regional seminar on adaptation in May 2002. AusAID will also fund a feasibility study for a regional adaptation financing facility which will be managed by the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) in coordination with the South Pacific Applied Geo-science Commission (SOPAC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP). |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s):
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Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 0
Source(s) already approached:
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Links:
The requirement for new approaches to climate adaptation emerged from a high-level meeting of finance, planning and environment ministers and heads of government agencies from the Pacific Island countries (PICs) held in Nadi, Fiji, in May 2002. The meeting dealt with issues of adaptation to climate change, climate variability, sea-level rise and associated disaster management. Other initiatives in this area involving bilateral and multilateral donor partners are currently underway.
The meeting focused particularly on how to access additional adaptation financing and to mainstream adaptation into economic planning. In particular, the meeting concluded that adaptation to climate change and disaster management were closely linked and needed to be dealt with in the context of wider economic risk management.
This proposal reflects the strong support for Adaptation provided by the July 2002 meeting of SPREP Environment Ministers which called for mobilisation of resources and mainstreaming of Adaptation through risk management and environmental assessment planning.
This initiative will compliment and contribute to the aims and objectives of the Pacific Island Adaptation Initiative (2003-2015) currently being considered in the context of Pacific preparations for WSSD.
Australia and the other partners are already engaged in a range of complementary activities.
The requirement for new approaches to climate adaptation emerged from a high-level meeting of finance, planning and environment ministers and heads of government agencies from the Pacific Island countries (PICs) held in Nadi, Fiji, in May 2002. The meeting dealt with issues of adaptation to climate change, climate variability, sea-level rise and associated disaster management. Other initiatives in this area involving bilateral and multilateral donor partners are currently underway.
The meeting focused particularly on how to access additional adaptation financing and to mainstream adaptation into economic planning. In particular, the meeting concluded that adaptation to climate change and disaster management were closely linked and needed to be dealt with in the context of wider economic risk management.
This proposal reflects the strong support for Adaptation provided by the July 2002 meeting of SPREP Environment Ministers which called for mobilisation of resources and mainstreaming of Adaptation through risk management and environmental assessment planning.
This initiative will compliment and contribute to the aims and objectives of the Pacific Island Adaptation Initiative (2003-2015) currently being considered in the context of Pacific preparations for WSSD.
Australia and the other partners are already engaged in a range of complementary activities.