The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project plans the relocation of roads on Epi Island in Vanuatu as an adaptation measure to sea level rise.
PACC is implemented by SPREP in partnership with UNDP, and is funded by the GEF and the Australian Government (AusAID).
1 March 2012: The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project in Vanuatu is in the design phase of relocating parts of roads on Epi Island as an adaptation measure to sea level rise.
PACC notes that about 40% of the current roads are located next to the high water mark, which include the Lamen Bay airstrip. The project will relocate the current roads to safer ground and address drainage systems to allow for run-off during heavy rainfall and sedimentation ponds to limit sedimentation.
Studies by the Vanuatu Meteorological Service and the science component of the Australian International Climate Change Initiative (ICCAI) showed that sea levels in Vanuatu have risen by at least 11cm since 1993, which is over twice the global average rate of sea level rise.
PACC is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Australian Government (AusAID). Capacity support on communications is also provided by the UN Institute for Training and Research in Climate Change Capacity Development (UNITAR C3D+).[SPREP Press Release]