28 August 2013: The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) convened the annual review meeting of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project, which provided participants the opportunity to showcase country activities as the project moves into its fourth year, focusing on replication and scaling-up of activities.

According to SPREP, tools showcased by participating PACC countries illustrated the diversity of activities executed under the PACC project. Such tools included: the Cook Islands Coastal Calculator that is assisting in ensuring that the Mangaia Island harbor can withstand cyclones and storm surges; the 3-D mapping tool used in Vanuatu to decide on possible relocations of roads and villages further inland; and the engagement of community facilitators as a link between the project team and communities in Fiji, which has proven to enhance community ownership as well as project sustainability.

The PACC project covers 14 participating countries and helps develop three key areas that build resilience to climate change in Pacific communities: Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands focus on food production and food security; Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tokelau and Vanuatu are developing coastal management capacity; and Nauru, Niue, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu are looking to strengthen their water resource management.

The PACC is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) and the Australian Government (AusAID), with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) as its implementing agency and SPREP as regional implementing partner. The annual meeting took place from 12-16 August 2013, in Nadi, Fiji. [SPREP Press Release] [PACC Project Website]