Vanuatu NAB Search
- (x) Remove Meteorology and Weather filter Meteorology and Weather
- (x) Remove Natural Resources and the Environment filter Natural Resources and the Environment
The Ocean is a natural and dynamic bridge that connects continents to continents and oceanic islands to islands. It is also a bridge between the living and the dead and between people and the marine resources upon which they rely. It is the bridge of life.
Our ancestors used the sea as a passageway to move from their place of origin to where we are today. From their voyage in the sea they learned and believed that there exists a God of the sun, a God of the wind and a God of the Sea – our God. When they arrived safely to our shores they gave thanks and revered the sea as a sacred place. They built their livelihoods around it and finally established a culture of the ocean. A culture that protects and respects the God of the ocean.
In this Modern age, people have access to advanced technology and use it to explore and exploit the ocean and its resources more and more effectively and efficiently. The population of the modern age is also growing and the global and local demand to further explore and exploit the ocean resources is very high.
For the sake of humanity and all living things on land and in the sea, each atoll island, oceanic island and continent must play its part to ensure that our ocean bridge continues to function and the ocean continues to sustain life. Vanuatu is an ocean state and is geared to play its part in managing the oceanfor our people and contributing also to the planet’s future.
Vanuatu’s maritime jurisdiction comprises 98% of the nation and includes living and non-living marine resources that contribute significantly to the country’s economy, that are fundamental to the wellbeing of its citizens and are an integral part of our. While the economic potential of many of the resources in this area remains un-assessed and under-utilized, some are being overexploited ordamaged and there is an urgent need to resolve Vanuatu’s territorial disputes and maritime boundaries.
Document
This report assesses adaptive capacity in the Tegua island community in northern Vanuatu and examines the role of the ‘Capacity Building for the Development of Adaptation Measures in Pacific Island Countries’ (CBDAMPIC) relocation project in shaping it.
This case study illuminates the opportunities for, and barriers to, adaptive capacity in the Tegua island community in northern Vanuatu, using a Pacific-specific analysis framework developed by a collaborative effort between the University of the South Pacific (USP), the Red Cross and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). It examines the experiences of the community in a pilot project involving relocation and water resource management as part of the regional Capacity Building for the Development of Adaptation Measures in Pacific Island Countries (CBDAMPIC) program for climate change adaptation. In particular, it examines the impacts of the CBDAMPIC pilot project in shaping adaptive capacity in this community.
This report was supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Pacific Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning (PACCSAP) program.
Document
This annex report captures and describes the various community engagement tools and approaches utilized while facilitating community based vulnerability assessments and CCAPlanning activities for the project “Adaptation to Climate Change in the Coastal Zone in Vanuatu” known as VCAP (Vanuatu Coastal Adaptation Project). V-CAP is a 5-year climatechange adaptation project supported by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) managed by the Global Environment Facility. The Government of Vanuatu is implementingVCAP through partnership with UNDP.
Component 1 of VCAP, which consists of integrated community approaches to climate change adaptation, is the largest component of the project and will be implemented in all 6provinces of Vanuatu. This component will focus at both the community and Area Council levels. In 2015, this component focused on implementation in three provinces: Tafea, Shefaand Penama provinces (*see Project Board Meeting minutes from June 18, 2015 for more information).
The VCAP Project Board Minutes from June 18th, 2015 contain reference to the Project Board endorsing vulnerability assessment and CCA planning missions with communities onPage 3: “DG Napat states that in the interim, Request for Service from UNDP may be necessary to start initial engagement with communities, as the government has beenpreoccupied with early recovery efforts from TC Pam and political instability. When Project Implementation Unit is hired and functioning within PMU, it will be easier to take the lead inthis NIM but it is important not to fall behind now”.
Document
With this project IUCN Oceania seeks to address the key challenges of mangrove management to increase the resilience of the Pacific people to climate change and improve livelihoods.
THE PROJECTWith the MESCAL project IUCN Oceania seeks to address the key challenges of mangrove management to increase the resilience of the Pacific people to climate change and improve livelihoods. By working with five Pacific Island Countries (Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga) IUCN Oceania will promote an adaptive co-management approach as well as the restoration of mangrove ecosystems.
BACKGROUNDPacific Islanders are at the forefront of climate change; experiencing its varying impacts on coastlines, biodiversity, economy and most importantly on livelihoods. The conservation of mangroves and associated ecosystems is a key natural adaptation strategy and mitigation measure to climate change. Mangrove ecosystems provide goods and services highly valued by the people of the Pacific. However, this unique ecosystem faces continuing threats from overharvesting, degradation and land reclamation.
SITUATIONProtection of mangrove ecosystems will in turn safeguard the livelihoods of Pacific Island communities, especially for coastal dwellers. Weak governance, disconnect between formal and traditional management systems, limited baseline information, weakening traditional management, lack of awareness and limited capacity are the key challenges of mangrove management in the Pacific.
DONORGerman Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) under its International Climate Initiative.
Project
A Report for the MESCAL Project, IUCN Oceania Office, Suva Report No. 13/24 May 2013.
This report documents important findings from the program of works for 2012-2013 directed by Dr Norm Duke with each of the five MESCAL country teams involving their training, support and consultation, prescription of methodology and approach, as well as the compilation and preliminary assessment of data received.
This report adds to previous progress reports summarising new findings and observations about biodiversity, structure and condition of mangrove ecosystems in the five MESCAL countries, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. These new data specifically provide for the derivation of estimates of living biomass and preliminary carbon values in all five countries. While prior reports addressed biodiversity of mangrove plants and the discovery of new species for each country, this report focuses on the biomass and potential carbon stores present in key vegetation units of mangrove habitats of the region.
Document
Le changement climatique est l'un des sujets dont on parle le plus dans le monde parce qu'll affecte le quotidien de tous les habitants de la planete, y compris ceux qui vivent dans les iles du pacifique. Les scientifiques disent que lechangement climatique pourrait rendre les saisons chaudes plus longues et amener beacoup de pluies durant la saison humide.
Document
The annual cyclone season for the Republic of Vanuatu commences in November and extends to the end of April the following year. While cyclones can develop outside of this period, their cyclical nature increases the predictability of such occurrences and thus enables pre-planned measures to be formulated beforehand and community preparedness programmes to be put in place and promulgated.
The aim of this plan is to detail the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery arrangements in the event of a cyclone impacting on the Republic of Vanuatu, in line with the requirements of the National Disaster Act. The Cyclone Support Plan provides for the mobilisation and co-ordination of the Country's resources, both public and private, to deal with an impending Tropical Cyclone emergency.
Document
The Forty-Seventh Pacific Islands Forum was held in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia from 8 – 10 September 2016 and was attended by Heads of State and Government of Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Solomon Islands was represented by their Deputy Prime Minister, the Republic of Fiji, Niue and the Republic of Palau by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Kiribati by a Special Envoy. The Forum Leaders’ Retreat was held at FSM Congress Chamber in Palikir on 10 September 2016.
Document
The FRDP identifies three inter-related goals that need to be actively pursued by all stakeholders, working in partnership, in order to enhance resilience to disasters and climate change in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.
1. Strengthened integrated adaptation and risk reduction to enhance resilience to climate change and disasters Pursuing this goal entails successfully managing risks caused by climate change and disasters in an integrated manner where possible, within social and economic development planning processes and practices, in order to reduce the accumulation of such risks, and prevent the creation of new risks or loss and damage. This goal will contribute to strengthening resilient development and achieving efficiencies in resource management.
2. Low-carbon development Pursuing this goal revolves mainly around reducing the carbon intensity of development processes, increasing the efficiency of end-use energy consumption, increasing the conservation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and enhancing the resilience of energy infrastructure. This goal will contribute to having more resilient energy infrastructure in place, and to increase energy security, while decreasing net emissions of greenhouse gases.
3. Strengthened disaster preparedness, response and recovery Pursuing this goal includes improving the capacity of PICTs to prepare for emergencies and disasters, thereby ensuring timely and effective response and recovery in relation to both rapid and slow onset disasters, which may be exacerbated or caused by climate change. Disaster preparedness, response and recovery initiatives will reduce undue human losses and suffering, and minimize adverse consequences for national, provincial, local and community economic, social and environmental systems.
Document
Ocean warming may well turn out to be the greatest hidden challenge of our generation. This report represents the most comprehensive review to date on ocean warming. To build up the report, leading scientists from around the world were invited to join with colleagues to contribute individual chapters. It contains many recommendations from the scientists on capability gaps and research issues that need to be resolved if we are to tackle the impacts of ocean warming with greater confidence in the future. The focus of the report is on gathering facts and knowledge and communicating this to show what is now happening in and to the ocean. There is purposefully much less focus on political ramifications. We hope that this report will help stimulate further debate and action on such issues.
Document
This report uses these generic methods to provide recommendations for climate resilient development in the PICs in the following sectors: coastal protection, flood management, water resources management, protection of infrastructure against changes in temperature and precipitations, protection of buildings against cyclone winds, and adaptation in the agriculture sector.
A new World Bank report has highlighted the need for Pacific Island countries to better incorporate climate and disaster risk management into planning and development, while proposing priority investments and policies to boost resilience to the year 2040.
Launched in Fiji today at the Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Region, Pacific Possible: Climate and Disaster Resilience considers the economic costs of climate adaptation, and proposes adaptation strategies for areas including infrastructure and buildings, coastal protection, water resources, flooding and agriculture, with special consideration given to the unique challenges of atoll islands.
“Climate change and extreme weather events have the potential to adversely affect coastal zones, water resources, health, infrastructure, agriculture and food security,” said Denis Jordy, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank. “And if new investments are not properly planned, they risk exacerbating the impacts of natural hazards and climate change by increasing the vulnerability and exposure of those at risk.”
Document
Approach to Climate Change
Vanuatu ratified the UNFCCC in 1993 and the Kyoto Protocol (as a non-Annex I country) in 2001. It made its first national communication to the UNFCCC in October 1999 and the country’s Climate Change Office within the Vanuatu Meteorological Service has participated in workshops to prepare its second national communication. A National Action Plan on Adaptation was submitted in 2007. Vanuatu is a member of the Alliance of Small Island States. The United Nations Population Fund classes Vanuatu as one of the nations most vulnerable to natural hazards and says it faces significant hurdles because it is trying to eradicate widespread poverty at the same time as addressing climate change.
Particular areas of potential impact from climate change include agriculture, water, coastal and marine resources, infrastructure and tourism. Numerous documents have been published that aim to help Vanuatu prepare for potential climate change impacts. A National Adaptation Programme for Action (NAPA) was published in June 2007, and in 2006, a Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management National Action Plan 2006- 2016, and a Priorities and Action Agenda 2006-2015 were released. The government published a draft National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Land-Based Resources (2012-2022) in July
Document
Minister of Climate Change’s Preamble
It is with pleasure that I hereby submit to Parliament the 2015 Annual Report of the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation (MCCA), Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and National Disaster Management Office.
The
process of preparing the 2015 Annual Report has provided a very valuable opportunity for the Ministry team to look back to the year that has passed, reflect on achievements and challenges but also analyse issuesso as to be better prepared and resourced to pre-position the Ministry and Vanuatu for the challenges that will no doubt arise in the new year of 2016.
In 2015 the nation of Vanuatu faced two extreme events: the Category 5 Cyclone Pam and then the strongest El Nino since 1952. These two occurrences tested the capacity of a new Ministry established in December 2013. Government of Vanuatu Ministries and agencies worked together with international and regional partners, donors and Non-Government Organisations to provide critically important expertise. The strong support of the public and private sectors in Vanuatu and internationally must be recognised. A world-wide FLASH Appeal provided valuable financial assistance to response and later, Recovery and Reconstruction Programs.
Cyclone Pam provided valuable lessons for all stakeholders – particularly the natural resilience and knowledge of our people who over hundreds of years developed traditional coping mechanisms to face natural disasters. We realised that the National Disaster Management Office needed better resourcing and operational frameworks – human, legal, policy, technical and budgetary – so that this office is more strongly positioned to carry out its critically important coordination role. As the world’s most vulnerable nation to natural disasters, we must ensure we are better prepared for future emergencies.
Document
Honourable Minister Ham LINI VANUAROROA, MCCA
It is with pleasure that I hereby present the 2016 to 2018 Corporate Plan for the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation (MCCA), Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and National Disaster Management Office.
As the first Minister for the new Ministry when it was created in late 2013, it is with considerable pleasure that I read our new Corporate Plan. As a young Ministry, we have come a long way but we still have so much to do to achieve our Mission and Vision to support Government planning priorities and strategies as defined by the recently approved National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 - 2030.
A Corporate Plan is like a Road Map guiding a traveller along difficult pathways towards a far away and unfamiliar destination. To guide our journey, this Plan provides clear objectives, activities, identifies funding needs, human resources and indicators to track and report both achievements and issues needing resolution.
I look forward to actively support and progress the strategies in the MCCA Corporate Plan.
Introduction by DG Jesse Benjamin, MCCA
The Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation (MCCA) Meteorology and Geo- Hazards, Energy Environment and the National Disasters Management is relatively new. The Council of Ministers (COM number 18/2013), strongly supported the re-alignment of Departments from other Ministries in a new organisation. An examination of the Departments comprising the Ministry makes the purpose of this strategic amalgamation clear – bringing together the key government of Vanuatu agencies with responsibilities for environmental, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction issues.
Document
Climate Adaptation Methodology for Protected Areas (CAMPA) Coastal and Marine is designed to build the resilience of protected areas and associated ecosystems based on a thorough understanding of their vulnerability to climate change and a participatory agreement on the best ways to respond to these threats. With minor adjustments the methodology could be adapted to terrestrial and freshwater protected areas.
CAMPA does two main things:
• It provides practical and scientifically sound guidance to facilitate climate change vulnerability assessments of coastal and marine protected areas (CMPAs).
• Based on an understanding of that vulnerability, it then facilitates decisionmaking on the most appropriate adaptation actions.
Document
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)2013-2021 is designed to safeguard the Earth’s biologically rich and most threatened regions known as biodiversity hotspots. It is a joint initiative of Conservation International (CI), l’AgencieFrancaise de Developpment (AFD), the European Union (EU), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Governemnt of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. CEPF is a unique funding mechanism in that it focuses on high-priority biological areas rather than political boundaries, and examines conservation threats on a landscape scale. It is from this perspective that CEPF seeks to address conservation needs through coordinated regional efforts. Its fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. CEPF’s US$9 million investment in the East Melanesian Islands hotspot was launched in 2013 and will continue until 2021. As we near the mid-term phase of CEPF’s investment in EMI (2017)
Vanuatu has been identified to be within the East Melanesian Islands Hotspot The hotspot is one of the most biologically important regions in the planet in terms of species richness and especially endemism. CEPF’s investment will be targeted where it can make the greatest and most sustained contribution to the conservation of globally important biodiversity.
Project