Adaptation mainstreaming

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. 

Vanuatu’s Year 11 secondary school students have demonstrated their climate change expertise in Vanuatu’s
first national Climate Zone Championship competition. In 2012, a pilot competition worked with only a handful
of schools, but this year’s 2013 Climate Zone competition was open to every secondary school in every
province of Vanuatu!
Vanuatu Climate Zone is organized by the Vanuatu Ministry of Education, USP Vanuatu and SPC-GIZ Climate
Change and seeks to showcase the learning and knowledge of Vanuatu’s students on the topic of climate change
in Vanuatu. Each secondary school in Vanuatu was invited to selected four year 11 students for the school team
in the competition. The process for the 2013 competition included two phases, a written exam and a live
competition. Local Vanuatu climate change experts provided background information on climate change
science, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, and special topics (e.g. gender) to all year 11 secondary schools (both
English and French language schools). School students were then given 2 months to study the information. On
19 September 2013, all student teams took a written ‘exam’ (in English or French), at official exam centres in
each province.
The highest-scoring school from each province was then invited to take part in the final competition in Port
Vila. TORBA province winner was Arep Junior Secondary School in Vanua Lava, SANMA province winner
was St. Michel on Santo, PENAMA province winner was St. Patrick College on Ambae, MALAMPA province
winner was Rensarie College on Malekula, SHEFA province winner was Malapoa College on Efate, and
TAFEA province winner was Lenakel Presbyterian College on Tanna.
From 4-8 November 2013, all winning teams participated in a series of live matches against other provinces as
an activity under the Vanuatu National Climate Change Symposium organized by the Ministry of Climate
Change. Students were asked climate change questions by two ni-Vanuatu climate experts in multiple choice,
true false, short answer and discussion-based formats. A panel of distinguished judges assigned points to the
answers.
The two schools with the highest point score after 15 grueling matches, and making it into the final competition
on 8 November, were Lenakel Presbyterian College (TAFEA) and Malapoa College (SHEFA). These two teams
battled it out for nearly two hours with the score neck-and-neck for most of the game. The studio audience kept
the excitement strong, and supporting their students and team! The end of the match saw the judges awarding
the 2013 championship prize of the 2013 Vanuatu Climate Zone to Malapoa College representing SHEFA
province, which took home a prize of 30,000vatu. All participating schools from every province were winners
and awarded a climate change water tank donated by the Chinese Women’s Association.
Thanks are due to the many financial sponsors for the 2013 Climate Zone including the SPC-GIZ Climate
Change Program, the USP-PACE EU GCCA Climate Change Program, the SPC-USAID Food Security
Program, the French Embassy Port Vila, the Chinese Women’s Association of Port Vila and technical sponsors
including Vanuatu’s National Advisory Board on Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction, the Vanuatu
Meteorology & Geohazards Department, the Ministry of Education, the Curriculum Development Unit, Vanuatu
Teacher’s College, VBTC and Television blong Vanuatu .
All Climate Zone 2013 matches were videotaped at the VBTC studios and will soon be rebroadcast to all
viewers in Vanuatu. Keep a look out to see just how knowledgeable Vanuatu’s students are about climate
change and test your own climate skills!
For more information on Vanuatu’s 2013 Climate Zone Competition, contact SPC-GIZ Climate Change at
VanuatuClimateChange@gmail.com Vanuatu Ministry of Education (jmelteres@vanuatu.gov.vu) or visit the
NAB online Portal www.nab.vu.

The project will use a Climate Risk Management Framework to analyse economic and environmental data to determine the climate risk posed, the costs of these risks and possible adaptation options. A Cost Benefit Analysis will be used to develop priority adaptation options for each scenario across a range of different economic and climate change scenarios over the short, medium and long term. This will also recognize the potential for delayed action. This project is intended to illustrate potential future scenarios, based on the information available. The project will aim to be consistent with the activities of the P-CBA initiative

Demonstrate the use of CBA in CRM context and make informed adaptation choices in the short, medium and long term

· Build on ongoing activities and leverage support from other partners and projects

· Build on local capacity to undertake future economic analysis in support of climate change adaptation decisions

· Further strengthen partnerships between government agencies and other stakeholders in-country

The Vanuatu Carbon Sydicate is the interim body seeking NAB endorsement. It comprises Samson Busai, Ephraim Songi and other, with funding being arranged by Jim Batty of Summit Estate Limited. 

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).

The project consists mainly of workshops and meetings to strengthen the existing Technical Committee for REDD+.  Some outreach will also take place for stakeholders in Port Vila not yet involved in REDD+ but who have a role to play.  This will include NGO/CSO players and the private sector.  LLEE will support the design and implementation of consultations on the REDD+ Social Environmental Strategic Assessment to ensure they are effective.