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HONOLULU (April 7, 2021) Even as the COVID-19 pandemic remains the focus in the Pacific, compound threats increase the need for regional cooperation to address the mounting economic and environmental impacts from climate change, according to panelists at a recent East-West Center workshop on “Strengthening Resilience, Cooperation, and Partnership in the Pacific.”
The aftermath of 2015 s devastating Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. Photo: Graham Crumb via Wikimedia.
Supported by the Government of Japan, the March 25 workshop convened academics, practitioners and policy professionals from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Pacific Islands countries and the US with expertise in regional dynamics, compound climate threats and disaster recovery mechanisms pertinent to the region.
The Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index: Measuring Coastal City Resilience to Inform Action
As the climate crisis continues to worsen, climate finance remains a fraction of what is needed. The Climate Policy Initiative estimates that $579 billion was spent on average on climate finance in 2017/18. This includes domestic and international investment from both the public and private sectors towards climate mitigation and adaptation actions. Of this amount, only $30 billion five percent was allocated for climate adaptation. This amount stands in stark contrast to $180 billion, which the Global Commission on Adaptation estimates is needed every year to build resilience to current and future climate impacts. This catastrophic funding gap is intensifying climate security threats and elevating the vulnerability of people across the world, particularly in coastal urban centers.