26 July 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu – Vanuatu is highly exposed to tropical cyclones, storm surges, landslides, flooding, droughts, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. These natural hazards compounded by the impacts of the climate crisis place Vanuatu in an increased state of vulnerability each year. This week, the Government of Vanuatu has taken a significant step to tackle the impacts of climate change and natural hazards to build a resilient nation, with the launch of the Vanuatu Climate Atlas.
Under the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong redy, adapt mo protekt (Van-KIRAP) project, a comprehensive Climate Atlas was developed for all six provinces of Vanuatu. Vanuatu is among the few countries within the Pacific region to possess such a comprehensive climate map and this achievement highlights the commitment of Vanuatu to leading regional climate resilience and adaptation efforts.
The Climate Atlas was launched on 25 July 2024 at the Grand Hotel in Port Vila. Honourable Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo-hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, officially launched the Atlas. He said, “As outlined in the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan, ‘The People's Plan’, the Vanuatu Government is committed to meeting the climate needs of its people by providing tailored climate information. One such crucial product is the Climate Atlas Map for all six provinces of Vanuatu.”
“This Climate Atlas will be instrumental for preparedness, allowing us to take proactive steps before a disaster strikes. It represents a significant advancement in our journey toward increased climate resilience in Vanuatu.”
The Climate Atlas provides detailed Climatological Maps reflecting climate data and visual information on long-term climate patterns, including rainfall and temperature variations, facilitating better planning and preparedness for climate-related events.
The Climatological Maps draw on climatology data from the VMGD with technical assistance from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric (NIWA). They will support decision making across sectors by better understanding their islands long-term climate patterns, including rainfall and temperatures during dry and wet seasons (tropical cyclone seasons), and during El Niño and La Niña events.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Director General, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra commended the leadership of the Vanuatu Government in developing the Atlas. He said, “Vanuatu continues to be a leader in disaster and climate change response in the Pacific. This has been showcased through the work under the Van-KIRAP and again through the development of the Climate Atlas. “
I commend the work of the VMGD, Van-KIRAP, NIWA and the partner Ministries and thank you all for your invaluable contributions to the development of the Climate Atlas”.
Funding of the Vanuatu Climate Atlas was provided through the Van-KIRAP Project. A partnership between the Green Climate Fund (GCF), SPREP and VMGD.
The Vanuatu Climate Atlas can be found HERE (https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/NATIONAL-climate-maps-Vanuatu.pdf )
The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van-KIRAP) project is a five-year, USD 22 million project which aims to support climate resilient development in Vanuatu through the development, communication, and application of climate information services to benefit agriculture, fisheries, tourism, infrastructure, water sectors and communities. It is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and APEC Climate Center.
For more information, please contact Mr Sunny Kamuta Seuseu, at [email protected] .