Adaptation Committee

PEBACC is a five year project funded by the German Government, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to explore and promote ecosystem-based options for adapting to climate change. The overall intended outcome of the project is: EbA is integrated into development, climate change adaptation responses, and natural resource management policy and planning processes in three Pacific island countries (Vanuatu, Fiji and Solomon Islands) providing replicable models for other countries in the region.

Overall Goal:

· Natural adaptation solutions are fully integrated into development, climate change adaptation and NRM policy and planning processes  in four ecologically and geographically diverse Pacific island countries, also providing replicable models for other countries in the region, and is successfully demonstrated through implementation at national, provincial and local levels.
The project will employ staff in Vanuatu; In addition to a SPREP Officer who will be the Vanuatu component project leader for this project and may be based in Vanuatu; One or two locally hired positions will directly support the project implementation and develop linkages to other projects and programmes, it is proposed that a locally hired position will be located within the SPC-GIZ CCCPIR.

Relevant projects and strategy to avoid duplication:

·It is recognized that multiple projects are being implemented within Port Vila and Tanna Island, this is seen as a strength and opportunity, as this project will bring increased capacity as well as in kind technical support from SPREP that can assist the NAB and current implementing partners to achieve not only national priorities as identified in both NAPA and NBSAPs, but priorities identified in the SPREP strategic plan and Pacific Plan. Working with local partners, other projects and the regional CROP agencies will allow support for sustainable mechanisms for adaptation in Vanuatu. As an example, SPREP is currently working with multiple regional agencies and national and international partners and NGOs in Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands, working to integrate multiple projects in multiple sectors to deliver a truly cross sectoral and integrated approach to sustainable resource use and management.

Risk Management Strategies

·Close linkages to the NAB, DEPC and other implementing partners in Vanuatu, will ensure relevance and work towards sustainability of implemented outcomes.

·Close linkages to the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management Division at SPREP, will ensure broad technical support as well as collaboration on other EbA projects, approaches and deliverables within and across the Pacific islands.

· A broad range of actions will be undertaken in different locations and with multiple partners and agencies which will allow the program to more successfully and flexibly react to and overcome unforeseen circumstances. 

Results are expected in the following areas:

R1 - Effective preparedness, response and recovery: responds to the need for national and regional response plans, end-to-end Early Warning Systems (EWS), emergency and evacuation centres, access to safe drinking water to mitigate against drought.

R2 - Strengthened institutional arrangements for DRM and CCA: responds to the need for Joint National Action Plans (JNAPs) as well as to the integration of DRM and CCA into national and sector strategies, planning and budgetary processes.

R3 - Improved knowledge, information, public awareness, training and education: the emphasis is on building awareness of risks, risk exposure through the provision of hazard and risk information through regional and local databases, strengthening human and technical capacity in a range of priority areas, production of knowledge products and related awareness.

R4 - Improved understanding of natural hazards and the reduction of underlying risks: addresses gaps in baseline scientific, technical, social and economic understanding of hazard impact and addresses underlying risks created by changing social, economic, environmental conditions and resources.

R5 - Enhanced partnerships in DRM and Climate Change: responds to the need for an integrated regional strategy for DRM and Climate Change, strengthening of the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance, enhanced hazard risk management, enhances information management, facilitation of financing and integration of DRR into the work programmes of CROP agencies (Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific).

This project aims to utilize, share, store and manage data and information generated through other climate change and DRR projects implemented in Vanuatu. Similarly it plans to train the “knowledge management officer” intended to sit within the secretariat level of the NAB.The project will be  implemented collaboratively by SPREP and Griffith university and also piloting in the three pilot countries (Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu)