5 May 2015, Suva Fiji - To provide valuable lessons for the future, initiatives from across the Pacific region that address climate change and disaster risks are showcased in a new compendium.
The Compendium of Case Studies on Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific showcases 40 case studies from Pacific Island countries and territories that address climate and disaster risks through climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
The compendium has been compiled by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) with support from the Secretariat of the Pacific
Environment Programme (SPREP), United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).
Funding for the compendium was provided by the European Union through EDF 10 ACP – EU/SPC Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific and the Global Climate Change Alliance, Pacific Small Island Developing States project as well as SPREP and the Government of Australia through the Australian Red Cross (AVID).
“The compendium provides an important resource for the Pacific and other regions around the world and should serve as a guide for the design of future initiatives to address climate change and disaster risks,” the SPC Director General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, said.
“A key learning from the case studies is that integrating climate change and disaster risk management objectives in initiatives can streamline building resilience for communities and nations and reduce duplication,” Dr Tukuitonga said.
The compendium supports the integrated approach taken by the Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific to address climate change and disaster risks within the context of sustainable development.
The publication includes a selection of case studies on diverse topics demonstrating the cross-cutting nature of climate change and disasters.
For example, programmes and projects focus on water security and sanitation, food security, infrastructure development, disaster response simulations, financing, media and communications, hazard risk assessments, and youth and community.
A range of implementers and partners are represented, including national and local governments from across the Pacific, regional organisations, international organisations, civil society, the private sector and communities.
The initiatives highlighted in the compendium have occurred while regional policy frameworks on climate change (Pacific Island Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006 – 2015) and disaster risk management (Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management: A Framework for Action 2005- 2015) have been in effect.
Both frameworks expire in 2015 and are superseded by the Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific, due to be presented for final endorsement by the region at the 2015 Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in August.
The compendium is being released ahead of the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable being hosted by SPREP in Samoa from 11 to 13 May 2016.
For more information and to view the compendium please see http://gsd.spc.int/srdp/
Media Contact: Clare White, SPC DRM Communication Officer,
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