This initiative, to be executed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways (MoAW) in Fiji, and supported by the Pacific Community (SPC), was approved during the 42nd meeting of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) in April 2024.
The Adaptation Fund was set up under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assist developing countries adapt to the harmful effects of climate change. Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed over USD 1 billion for projects and programmes to support climate change adaptation and resilience in the most vulnerable communities, reaching over 43 million beneficiaries to date. It empowers countries to access funding and develop projects that address local climate change priorities directly.
Climate change presents serious challenges to development in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), which face severe threats such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, and increased inundation and saltwater intrusion from storm surges. Economic, cultural, and societal losses from these threats can be severe. As climate change continues to impact local communities, countries such as Fiji need greater investment in climate resilience-building and adaptation measures as well as targeted capacity-building to support long-term sustainability of interventions.
“The impact of climate change is increasingly evident across Fiji and the need to finance innovative efforts to build resilience to climate change impacts is essential. Investing in solutions supported by nature provide sustainable and cost-effective approaches to resilience and enables us to meet the scale of impacts Fiji currently faces. Resources from the Adaptation Fund are crucial in supporting the safeguarding of Fiji’s most vulnerable communities and has the added benefit of providing valuable environmental, social, and economic benefits to its beneficiaries.This project was developed with support by SPC and MoAW in a collaborative manner with technical assistance derived from the earth observation project implemented by Unitar/Unosat, support for preliminary studies by the World Resources Institute (WRI), and technical assistance from the Commonwealth National Climate Finance Advisor to Fiji. We look forward to the continued strong collaboration as we move to implementation,” said Mr Filimone Ralogaivau, Director of Climate Change for Fiji.
Extreme weather events – particularly cyclones and storm surges – are becoming more severe and more frequent. Shoreline degradation has increased, and coastal communities are directly under threat of relocation due to the associated property, farm, and infrastructure damage. Urgent action is required to protect these coastal communities and safeguard Fijian culture and way of life. With the financial impacts of COVID-19, national resources needed for interventions to safeguard communities has been limited.
“We are proud and privileged to support the Government of Fiji in accessing Adaptation Fund resources. Scaling access to climate finance and supporting greater absorption is key to shaping a resilient and sustainable future for the Blue Pacific. We are grateful to our partners that made these achievements possible, as SPC continues it work supporting innovative solutions that protect communities on the frontline of climate change,” said Ms Coral Pasisi, Director of Climate Change and Sustainability, SPC.
This USD 5.7 million project will increase climate resilience of vulnerable coastal communities through the adoption of nature-based coastal protection approaches. The construction of 4km of Nature-Based Seawalls, will directly protect 2,466 people across 14 villages.
Media Contacts:
Dirk Snyman, Climate Finance Coordinator, Pacific Community (SPC) | [email protected]
Jack Rossiter, Climate Finance Advisor, Pacific Community (SPC) | [email protected]
Lizzie Conway, Climate Finance Officer, Pacific Community (SPC) | [email protected]
For general media enquiries, please contact [email protected]
About SPC:
The Pacific Community has been supporting sustainable development in the Pacific, through science, knowledge and innovation since 1947. It is the principal intergovernmental organisation in the region, owned and governed by its 27 member countries and territories. www.spc.int
Follow SPC News | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube and subscribe to SPC's Newsletter
