Introduction to the EU-GIZ ACSE Programme

Climate change is already disproportionally affecting the islands of the Pacific. Although Pacific islanders have done little to contribute to the cause producing less than 0.03 per cent of current global greenhouse gas emissions, they are among the first to be exposed and the least able to respond. At the same time, despite efforts to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and improve energy security, many Pacific Island Countries are dependent on almost 100 per cent of imported petroleum products for energy generation and transportation. Sustainable energy and climate change adaptation are therefore top priorities for Governments as expressed in regionally endorsed frameworks and national policies.

In response, the European Union (EU) is assisting fifteen Pacific ACP Island countries through a new regional Programme: Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) Programme funded under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF 10) Pacific regional envelope.

 The objectives of the ACSE Programme are to enhance sustainable livelihoods in Pacific Island Countries, strengthen countries’ capacities to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and enhance their energy security at the national, provincial and local/community levels.

The ACSE Programme has three components:

Component 1: the EU-GIZ Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Component (18.64 million Euros) which is administered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ);

Component 2: the Energy Catalytic Component (10 million Euros) which is jointly managed by the EU with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and New Zealand in selected PACPs; and

Component 3: the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Component on sustainable energy and climate change adaptation (6.1 million Euros) which is jointly managed by the EU with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the University of the South Pacific.

The EU-GIZ Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) is

• Administered by GIZ
• Implemented by fifteen PACPs with a partner entity of their choice
• Implemented through on-the-ground projects on climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable energy (SE).