Vanuatu NAB Search
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Vanuatu is among the most vulnerable countries on earth to the increasing impacts of climate change, including climate-related natural disasters and the effects of slow-onset events such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification.
As the effects of global warming manifest and the hazards of climate change arise at accelerating rates, there is a need to shift the paradigm towards the standardised and mainstreamed use of science-based climate information, at multiple timescales, to support resilient development pathways.
The proposed project will support this paradigm shift through the strengthening and application of Climate Information Services (CIS) in five targeted development sectors: tourism; agriculture; infrastructure; water and fisheries.
More specifically, the project will build the technical capacity in Vanuatu to harness and manage climate data; develop and deliver practical CIS tools and resources; support enhanced coordination and dissemination of tailored information; enhance CIS information and technology infrastructure; and support the application of relevant CIS through real-time development processes, for more resilient outcomes.
The project has a focus on addressing information gaps and priority needs of target beneficiaries at national, provincial and local community levels across the five priority sectors.
The project will deliver enhanced:
capacity and capability of national development agents, to understand, access and apply CIS
CIS communications, knowledge products, tools, and resources for practical application to development processes.
reliability, functionality, utility and timeliness of underlying CIS delivery systems and data collection infrastructure.
scientific data, information and knowledge of past, present and future climate to facilitate innovated and resilient development.
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Experience shows that communities with strong traditional knowledge on weather and climate are better able to adapt to extreme climate and weather events.
In some parts of Vanuatu, though, these skills are starting to disappear. Reasons for this include language loss, knowledge holders being unable to pass information on to the next generation, and the impact of climate change on the traditional indicators when animal and plants change behaviours and habitats in response to the warming climate.
Maintaining traditional climate knowledge is critical for community climate resilience, so the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) Project is gathering existing traditional knowledge used in forecasting to produce integrated forecasts for Vanuatu that combine traditional knowledge with scientific model-based data.
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The nation has made a significant step forward today with the commissioning of Vanuatu's first ocean climate monitoring and observation buoy network, deployed by the VanKIRAP project.
The Vanuatu Ocean Monitoring Network is a chain of six ocean climate monitoring buoys deployed across the Vanuatu archipelago to monitor how climate change is affecting the ocean around the country, and to provide early warning to communities and key agencies of impending climate-related events.
The buoys are deployed at Port Vila, Efate; Million Dollar Point, Santo; Lonnoc Beach, Santo; Port Resolution, Tanna; Inyeug Island, Aneityum and Tomman Island, Malekula. The buoys measure sea surface temperature, wave direction, wave height, wave period and spread as well as wind speed at each location.
The data that they gather allows VMGD and Dept of Fisheries to issue early warnings to communities for coastal inundation and erosion. The buoys can also provide near real-time data about the impacts of climate-related events like cyclones and marine heatwaves.
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The project considers the current Vanuatu’s Off-Grid RE and EE Promotion Program as the main baseline effort towards achieving the country’s NERM targets. This program includes the installation of RE-based (mainly hydro, and solar) power generation and distribution systems, as well as some Energy Efficiency interventions. This project aims to fill in critical gaps in Vanuatu’s baseline program.
Policy and planning: The project will identify important policy and planning gaps and institutionalize existing policies and plans in place (NERM-IP Plan and NERM) in the baseline program that it will fill, such as guidelines, standards, and incentive policies.
Institutional: The project will focus and represent relatively innovative incremental aspects. System management will be a critical feature in the sustainability of rural RE systems and their replication and thus an instrumental contribution towards meeting NERM targets.
Capacity development: While Vanuatu has substantial baseline program efforts to install RE systems in off-grid areas, training is very limited and generally consists of one-time training upon installation of systems. For larger-scale systems, capturing wind energy, equipment sourcing, and installation capacity is absent.
Green transport: The project will aim to set example of green transport mechanism by introducing electric vehicles
Financing for energy efficiency: The focus will be given to educating the commercial private sector to set up a loan or equity financing mechanism for Energy Efficiency Equipment and productive uses in rural areas.
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The Van-KIRAP E-Newsletter for March 2023
Headlines included in the E-newsletter are listed below:
Severe Tropical cyclone Judy & Kevin
VanKIrap team Member assists in response to twin cyclone disaster
Workshop seekd novel ways to augment climate information using traditional knowledge
community Climate centre gives better access to Climate information for Tanna
Schools on Tanna join Climate monitoring network thanks to VanKIRAP
Climate resilience of Vanuatu's agriculture sector supported by new online tool
New digital dataset improves accuracy and quality of Vanuatu's climate data
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Van - KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Calendars for Shefa Province
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Van-KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Calendars - Tafea Province
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Van-KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Seasonal Calendar for Penama Province
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The Van- KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Calendars for Sanma Province
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The Van- KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Calendars for Torba Province
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Van-KIRAP Traditional Knowledge Calendars for the Province of Malampa,
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The VanKIRAP Traditional Knowledge Strategy and Implementation Plan
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Vanuatu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and disaster risks, routinely being at or near the top of global risk indexes. This high ranking is primarily due to the country’s extreme exposure to natural hazards as well as its limited adaptive capacity. Temperatures in Vanuatu have already increased by approximately 1˚C and are expected to increase further by at least 1˚C by 2030, with increases of up to 3.2˚C by 2090. This increase in temperature is coupled with an increase in sea level of approximately 6mm annually since 1993. This increase is expected to continue and accelerate into the future, with cumulative increases of up to 17cm by 2030 and 63cm by 2090. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is also predicted to increase, and the changing profile of cyclones, storm surges, landslides, flooding, and droughts will result in severe impacts on lives, livelihoods and infrastructure across Vanuatu, affecting both human communities and natural ecosystems.
In recent years, the Government of Vanuatu (GoV) has taken significant steps to improve resilience to natural disasters and adaptive capacity to climate change adaptation. These steps include:
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The Vanuatu National Climate Change Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2022 - 2030 second edtion
Vanuatu is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change and disaster risks. The island nation experiences cyclones, storm surges, landslides, flooding and droughts, which may become more intense as a result of climate change. Vanuatu is also highly exposed to geophysical threats such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as human, animal and plant diseases, and human-caused disasters.
The vision of this Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy is for Vanuatu to be a nation whose communities, environment and economy are resilient to the impacts of climate change and disaster risks. Risks cannot be completely eliminated; however, this policy provides a framework through which risks can be identified, assessed, reduced and managed.
At the global, regional and national levels, disaster risk reduction and climate change agencies, activities and funding have been previously managed separately. A recent shift in philosophy now views the integration of climate change and disaster risk reduction initiatives as the best way to make use of resources and avoid duplication of effort. Vanuatu started this process with the establishment of the National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction in 20121 . The government undertook a risk governance assessment to analyse Vanuatu’s climate change and disaster risk governance capacity and needs at both national and local levels.2 The policy incorporates recommendations from that assessment and draws on local, provincial and national consultations.
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Vanuatu submits this updated and enhanced nationally determined contribution (NDC), in which our politicalleaders, technical experts and civil society have considered how our nation can move to a global net-zerogreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions society (Article 4.1) whilst being resilient to the unavoidable impacts ofclimate change (Article 7.1), minimising, averting and addressing loss and damage (Article 8) in the contextof the long-term temperature goal (Article 2), while determining our financial needs (Article 9) that shall beprovided by developed country Parties in continuation of their existing obligations under the UNFCCC.Vanuatu is already a carbon-negative country. With forests covering 70% of its islands, and its maritimejurisdiction comprising 98% of the nation, the big ocean state of Vanuatu is already a carbon sink -absorbing more carbon dioxide than it produces - thus freely providing a critical environmental serviceto carbon emitting countries around the world. Moving beyond our current Net Zero status, this NDCrecommits Vanuatu to rapidly phasing out fossil fuels, deeply decarbonising and transitioning completelyto a circular economy.Pursuant to Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, and to demonstrate that Vanuatu is an action-focused leaderin its calls for all Parties to make ambitious commitments to limit the global average temperature increase to1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, Vanuatu’s NDC reflects the highest ambitions on adaptation, mitigation,and loss and damage. As per Decision 4/CMA.1, Vanuatu’s information provides clarity, transparency andunderstanding.This updated and enhanced NDC contains 20 Mitigation commitments, 116 Adaptation commitments, 12Loss & Damage commitments and is based on the ambitions, policies and workplans of Vanuatu's frontlinesector agencies.
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There is a significant body of research being conducted examining the role of Kastom. As this project is focusing on legal frameworks it will build on existing projects. Key components involve a literature review and conducting a series of interviews. This PhD will be by publication. This will mean that a series of academic journal articles will be written through the projects duration.
This project will add value to understanding in terms of how Customary ( Kastom) Law may be incorporated in to international environmental law pertaining to Global Climate Change Adaptation. As normative frameworks are failing to address this global threat, perhaps Kastom may hold some of the answers as to how people may be reconnected to their life supporting environments.
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IUCN Marine & Coastal Biodiversity in Pacific Islands Countries & Atolls Project (MACBIO) is supporting the Vanuatu Government achieve sustainable management of ecosystems and marine resources in country. Natural resources in marine and coastal areas are of high importance for Vanuatu and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. However, the need to use marine resources sustainably is not well reflected in national planning processes, due in part to insufficient information regarding their economic value and lack of concerted marine spatial planning.
MACBIO project 2013-2018 aims to help Vanuatu to meet their commitments under the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 and the relevant Aichi targets, including the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA) and the Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity (POWIB) Specifically, the project aims to enhance ecosystem-based management and support more effectively managed marine resources which should lead to more resilient coastal and marine economies, more sustainable use of marine biodiversity, and will contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as securing and strengthening local livelihoods. Tried and tested concepts and instruments will be adopted in Vanuatu.
The MACBIO project is being implemented by GIZ with technical support from IUCN-Oceania in close collaboration with SPREP.
. The IUCN components of the project aim to achieve the following outcome and outputs:
Outputs (specific project goals):
An ocean-wide policy and spatial planning framework
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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:
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Pacific Islands are among the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change as they are affected by repeated volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts, and invasive sea level rise, which are rapidly eroding nations’ exceptional terrestrial and marine biodiversity, green coastal lands, nearshores, blue reefs and other aquatic resources. Economic development, and demographic pressure on land and marine resources, including overfishing,have already exacerbated these challenges. The loss of biodiversity, coastal lands, and aquatic life, has also had major societal and gender implications in shaping the quality of life for women, girls, boys and the elderly, including reduced livelihood opportunities, which are undermining women and youth’s voices in the conservation and management of communities' global commons.
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Flagship initiatives are the first, best or most promising examples of successful ecosystem restoration that a country or region would like to be globally known for. The main role of Flagships is to provide inspiration to other countries and regions for scaling up successful restoration efforts, and to attract global attention and investments. Selected Flagships will act as a basis for joint learning across the world. Up to 10 Flagships selected in the first round will be launched in 2022, likely in conjunction with the UN General Assembly in September. All official Flagships of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration will feature prominently in the UN Decade's publications, campaigns, outreach, advocacy and education efforts going forward, and will be listed in the UN Secretary-General's Report to the General Assembly (UNGA) at its 81st session.
Brief description of project, key activities and outputs, how will it be implemented?]
The SIDS Ecosystem Restoration Flagship (SIDS Flagship) concept note was submitted to and approved by the UN Decade Executive Board on December 17th 2021. In a nutshell, this Flagship will put marine and coastal ecosystems at the heart of economic policy and decision-making in the era of COVID 19. This SIDS-led initiative will also put a face to marine and coastal ecosystem restoration with SIDS leading by example and inspiring pride.
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This project aims to Respond Vanuatu’s obligations under para 29 of CMA3 UNFCCC decision, and to the urgent call by UN Secretary General, UNFCCC SG and COP26/COP27 Presidencies for all countries to submit a more ambitious NDC before COP27 to reflect national sectoral priorities and highest-level ambitions on adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.
Vanuatu’s 2021 NDC mitigation component remains the same, while 166 Adaptation Targets and 12 Loss & Damage Targets have been added, based fully on 38 existing sector policies.
The expected outcome of this NDC revision is to ensure that Vanuatu’s highest level climate priorities of adaptation and loss & damage are reflected, and that Vanuatu’s NDC comprehensively addresses all contributions it plans to make to meet the Goals of the Paris Agreement. This will support Vanuatu in its efforts to raise international climate finance, as well as showcase the severity of climate impacts and need for urgent action in support of grassroots communities and islands.
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The Project Profile form - Enhanced NDC NAB Project profile form
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PRE-CONCEPT FOR A REGIONAL PROJECT/PROGRAMME - for the Integrating Flood and Drought Management and Early Warning for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific Islands project.
(Adaptation fund)
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The Project Profile Form - Integrating Flood and Drought Management and Early Warning for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific Islands
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