The National Management Unit in Solomon Islands of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project presented the results of a Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment to communities of Ontong Java.
The assessment identified climate change impacts on livelihoods and proposed adaptation measures aimed at improving crop yield and increasing agriculture productions for sustainable livelihoods.
15 March 2011: The National Management Unit in Solomon Islands of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project conducted a two-day consultation with communities of Ontong Java to present the results of the Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment carried out in May 2010.
The outcome of the Assessment were presented to the villages of Luaniua and Pelau in Ontong Java. It identified climate change impacts on livelihoods and proposed adaptation measures aimed at improving crop yield and increasing agriculture productions for sustainable livelihoods.
In particular, it was proposed to introduce salt-resistant crops and new farming systems applicable to low-lying communities. Targeted crops include the Giant Swamp Taro, which has been affected by salt-water intrusion. According to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the project is now at the stage of procuring materials, equipments and establishing crop bunks on the mainland ready to be transferred to the demonstration sites in Ontong Java.
PACC consists of 14 member countries and is implemented by SPREP in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). PACC promotes climate change adaptation as a key prerequisite to sustainable development in Pacific Island Countries (PICs), and aims to enhance PICs’ adaptation capacity. [SPREP Press Release]