Q: What is the NAB?
A: Vanuatu’s National Advisory Board on Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction, mandated by the Council of Ministers on 15 October 2012 to “Act as Vanuatu’s supreme policy making and advisory body for all disaster risk reduction and climate change programs projects disaster risk reduction and climate change programs, projects, initiatives and activities.” It fulfills this mandate by:
- Integrates the governance of climate change & disaster risk reduction across whole of Government
- Supports the development of CC/DRR policies, guidelines and positions
- Advises on international and regional DRR and CC obligations
- Facilitates and endorses the development of new DRR & CC programs, projects, initiatives and activities
- Acts as a focal point for information ‐ sharing and coordination on CC/DRR
- Guides and coordinates the development of national climate finance processes
The NAB is chaired by the Directors General of the Ministry of Climate Change & the Prime Minister’s Office. Members are senior‐level representatives from sectoral government agencies, CSO representatives, and technical advisors.
Q: Is Vanuatu’s Climate Changing?
A: Unequivocally Yes. Everything from average temperature, to sea level, to levels of ocean acidity, to rainfall extremes have changed in Vanuatu due to anthropogenic global greenhouse gas emissions.
Q: Is Vanuatu being impacted by Climate Change?
A: Unequivocally Yes. In the UN annual analysis of disaster risk in 173 countries, Vanuatu has emerged repeatedly at the top of the list. Vanuatu is not only extremely exposed to natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, sea level rise and tsunamis but also highly vulnerable to them! Category 5 Cyclone Pam (2015) caused losses and damages of approximately VT 48.6 billion (US$449.4 million), equivalent to 64.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP). The most vulnerable in Vanuatu, women, youth, the disabled, the remote, are being most severely impacted.
Q: Does my climate change project have to be endorsed by the NAB?
A: Yes. All CC & DRR Initiatives and Programs must be endorsed by the NAB. You can find the application processes and templates here.
Q: But what if I already have approval from another Government of Vanuatu agency?
A: If the initiative, project or program is climate-change related, it must be endorsed by the NAB. The purpose of the NAB is to support coordination of all CC/DRR programs and so it is vitally important that NAB is fully informed about work within this sector in Vanuatu.
Q: What are the benefits of NAB endorsement?
A: The most important benefit is contributing to improved CC/DRR governance in Vanuatu. But by having your project endorsed, you will have the opportunity to showcase it and any relevant documents, lessons, outcomes on the NAB Portal. NAB Endorsement is commonly a prerequisite for donors approving funding.
Q: So if I get NAB endorsement, does that mean I am all clear to commence my project or research?
A: You must also abide by all other project/research endorsement processes of other Government agencies (e.g. Vanuatu Cultural Center research process, Department of Environment research process etc)
Q: How to I report back to the NAB on project outcomes?
A: The NAB is currently in the process of developing a Monitoring & Evaluation framework which will apply to all implementers. At the moment it is important to report as regularly as possible and highlight how your program fulfils the policy directives in the National CC/DRR Policy.
Q: Can I attend NAB meetings?
A: Yes, Observers are welcome to attend! Please contact the NAB Secretariat to request the time and date of the next NAB meeting.
Q: Are there any resources for content managers?
A. Yes, there are video tutorials showing how to create a Link, Fund, Organisation, Document, Contact, News, on the portal.