Adaptation strategies for dealing with climate change
The World Bank has praised The Government of the Republic of Kiribati for being a "a global leader in laying the groundwork for dealing with the threat from natural hazards since the mid-1990s", although the original cause of the escalation of these "hazards" in recent times is anthropologically-induced climate change, rather than naturally occurring climatic events.
Kiribati Adaptation Project (KAP)
The Kiribati Adaptation Program (KAP) is a US $5.5 million initiative that was originally enacted by the national government with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and the Japanese Government. Australia later joined the coalition, donating US $1.5 million to the effort. The program aims to take place over 6 years, supporting measures that reduce Kiribati’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change and sea level rise by raising awareness of climate change, assessing and protecting available water resources, and managing inundation. At the start of the Adaptation Program, representatives from each of the inhabited atolls identified key climatic changes that had taken place over the past 20-40 years, and proposed coping mechanisms to deal with these changes under 4 categories of urgency of need. The program is now focusing on the country’s most vulnerable sectors in the most highly populated areas. Initiatives include improving water supply management in and around Tarawa; coastal management protection measures such as mangrove re-plantation and protection of public infrastructure; strengthening laws to reduce coastal erosion; and population settlement planning to reduce personal risks.
KAP Phase II
KAP Phase II aims to implement pilot projects to demonstrate a range of adaptation options, provide practical appropriate solutions to protect existing assets and build capacity within the Government of Kiribati to adapt to climate change. KAP Phase II incorporates a focus on improving:
- Climate information for risk management
- Risk assessment and adaptation planning capabilities
- Protection of public assets
The Government of Kiribati would like to thank its climate change adaptation supporters:
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