SEA-LEVEL RISE
TAKING A TOLL ON VANUATU
Climate change impacts (such as sea-level rise) are a reality for Vanuatu, a country made up of 83 islands. Vanuatu has seen a 12 cm rise in sea level since 1993, which is twice the global average.
A key concern regarding sea-level rise relates to its complex set of effects, including increased storm surges and coastal flooding, which are already taking a toll on Vanuatu. These impacts are attacking the islands’ critical infrastructure – roading, airway strips, harbours – which is essential to the country’s mobility and economy.
In some areas, upward of 40% of the current roads are located next to the high water mark, which makes them vulnerable to coastal erosion, and leads to them becoming dangerous and inaccessible. The impacts are severe with regard to the communities’ livelihood, including the hindering of basic mobility, reaching health services, providing food supplies, and movement to safer ground in case of extreme weather events.
CLIMATE CHANGE RISK REDUCTION
DESIGNING BETTER ROADS AND IMPROVING PEOPLE’S LIVES
Better road design can reduce climate change risks and improve people’s lives. The 3,000 residents of the island of Epi in Vanuatu have benefitted from island-wide interventions which are climate-proofing vital infrastructure.
Paving existing dirt roads, and relocating a coastal road section and the island’s main airstrip, allows for better mobility across the whole island, and improved access to external goods and services. Supported by UNDP, the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project in Vanuatu is championed by the Government of Vanuatu with financing from the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). Additional funding is provided by the Australian Government. Project execution is supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.
We want to make sure the people of Epi have infrastructure that is resilient to all possible impacts of climate change. — Brian Philips, National PACC National Coordinator, Vanuatu
EPI: AN ISLAND UNDER RECONSTRUCTION
Flooding and coastal erosion on the island of Epi have damaged its roads, and rendered key sections unsuitable for use, particularly in wet seasons. PACC Vanuatu is working with local communities on Epi to develop appropriate solutions that protect against and avoid the impacts of climate change. On Epi Island this means recofinguring its key infrastructure, by relocating parts of their roading, as well as the Lamen Bay airstrip, to higher, safer ground.
As a result of the PACC project’s technical work (including vulnerability and adaptation assessments), the Vanuatu Ministry of Works has developed a practical guide for climate proofing infrastructure that is linked to ground experience, and has a community-driven approach. The guide will support the replication of infrastructure adaptation measures in other islands and through related initiatives. - Ian Iercet, PACC National Coordinator, Vanuatu
SAFER GROUND PRESENTS DOUBLE WINS
RELOCATING ROADS SECURES ACCESS AND PROTECTS THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
The relocation of roads to safer grounds on Epi is helping to secure reliable access to transportation networks and to protect the marine environment. As Epi rebuilds its roads on safer ground, it is putting in place systems that account for, and protect against, all possible climate change-induced impacts. The new road designs feature a drainage system that allows for run-off during heavy rainfall, complemented with sedimentation ponds, which will limit sedimentation from heavy rain reaching the island‘s coral reef.
AN INCLUSIVE PROCESS
SUPPORT COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
Community ownership is a key factor to the success of PACC projects. The Vanuatu team has worked hard to build community ownership of the project. One particularly successful approach to engaging communities has been the three-dimensional participatory model, a low-tech but very powerful visual tool: Epi island’s hills, valleys and coasts came together as cardboard layers and paper maché in the hands of the community, creating ownership and helping reaching consensus on complex issues. Another initiative is the Epi Island Climate Change Committee, established in March 2013, which includes representatives from community and government.
THE PACC PROJECT
The PACC project is the first major climate change adaptation initiative in the Pacific region. Since it began in 2009 the Programme has been laying the groundwork for more resilient Pacific communities that are better able to cope with climate variability today and climate change tomorrow.
The PACC Project spans 14 different Pacific island countries and supports on the ground projects to help communities adapt to climate change in one of three key areas; food production and food security, water resource management, and coastal zone management.
For more information on the project, please visit the UNDP-ALM PACC Vanuatu Project Profile.
FOOTNOTES: Story by Caitlin Connelly and Andrea Egan / Photos: Luke McPake, Joe Hitchcock and Gabor Vereczi