Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in the Pacific

This compendium of case studies that address climate change and disaster risk reduction and management in the Pacific Islands is compiled by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Geoscience Division (GSD) and other agencies in the Pacific with the support from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and UN Development Program (UNDP).

The “Compendium of Case Studies on Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific” is comprised of 40 case studies that highlight the programmes and projects that address climate and disaster risks through climate change adaptation, disaster risk management and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

The case studies cover various topics across Pacific Island countries and territories that show the significant work done by the regions. It also highlights the lessons learned and can be used as resources for future initiatives.

These case studies drew trends, challenges, and lessons, which would serve as a guide for future initiations and provide a reference for the Pacific and other regions facing similar challenges.

Some of the case study topics in the compendium address gender equality in climate change programmes, financial resilience of Pacific Island countries to climate change and disasters, use of renewable energy for seawater desalination, and using animation to explain climate variability to non-scientific people and ordinary people, use of solar food dyer to improve resilience, water safety and securing planning for resilience, and a lot more.

The case studies offer many insights into what the Pacific Islands are doing to adapt and mitigate climate change.

As the study shows, it is essential for the people in the Pacific Islands to make decisions based on evidence and for their responses to be adapted to the local context.

Some case studies highlight using renewable energy to power water desalination projects. This will solve their primary need, water, especially during droughts and dry seasons.

Another case study shows the use of solar-powered dryers to dry food ranging from vegetables, fruits, and fish, allowing them to store food, increase its shelf life, transport it, and thus increase the communities food security.

These case studies demonstrate that people in the Pacific Islands understand what is going on in terms of the risks and threats of climate change they face.

They are willing to prepare, implement climate adaptation solutions, and build resilience to climate threats through continuous training, education, awareness, and resources.

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