The Vulnerability and Needs Assessment (VNA) is a participatory social engagement tool that elicits information in a group setting about communities in a comprehensive, multi-sector approach. VNA’s allow for community members to identify for themselves any relevant vulnerabilities using their contextual knowledge (including those posed by climate change and natural disaster), contribute valuable baseline data about their community as well as define community priorities for development in a fairly short span of time.
“By reducing the vulnerability of Vanuatu’s vital sectors and communities now to current climate-related risks should place the country in a better position to cope with future climate change and to build sustainable ni-Vanuatu communities. The ideal approach to adaptation in Vanuatu is a pro-active, no-regrets approach which encompasses measures and strategies which can be implemented in the present with the aim of reducing vulnerability in the future.
Climate is always changing, and on a variety of time scales. Rarely uniform, climate is inherently
variable and often punctuated by extreme events. Being prepared for the consequences of climate
change, variability and extremes is a strategic policy option, once chosen by the Republic of Vanuatu.
Adaptation to climate change, variability and extremes represents an important challenge for the
sustainable development of society. As understanding of the climate system continues to deepen
The coastal zone is one of Vanuatu’s greatest assets. Its unique values and resources are vital to the Ni- Vanuatu way of life, subsequently, the capacity to ensure ecologically sustainable use and development of the coastal zone is imperative for all the Ni-Vanuatu people, both now and into the future.
The Republic of Vanuatu ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 09 March 1993, and submitted its Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC on 30 October 1999. Following the preparation of its INC, Vanuatu has initiated efforts to create an institutional set-up that seeks to mainstream climate change issues into the national legal frameworks. Moreover, its INC provides compelling evidence that, by global standards, Vanuatu is one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise.
The environment of Vanuatu including its land based resources are extremely vulnerable to climate-related hazards, such as cyclones strong wind gusts, droughts, heats spells, floods and sea level rise/storm surges. Most of these hazards are precipitated by natural weather phenomena and therefore will be exacerbated by the current and future impacts of climate change. This vulnerability is a threat not only to the livelihoods of the people of Vanuatu but also to a healthy and prosperous nation.
NOTE: outdated and discontinued as of 2005.
Pacific Island nations need more finance to adapt to the adverse effects of global warming, but they also need to manage the funds effectively, to benefit their most vulnerable communities. This report looks at three countries – Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tonga – to understand their experience of managing climate finance. The challenges they face include: improved coordination by donors; strengthened management across departments and with local governments; and better engagement with civil society.
Shade Trees and Mangroves - Climate change in the South Pacific
The Pacific island nation Vanuatu is running out of time. The indigenous inhabitants are already suffering from floods, cyclones, coastal erosion and water shortages. And climate researchers say the extreme weather will increase and sea levels will continue to rise.
Driven by a commitment to solutions, the Will Steger Foundation provides information on climate change basics, giving educators and learners background knowledge to work towards slowing climate change.
1) Decision-making for climate resilient livelihoods and risk reduction: A Participatory Scenario Planning approach(www.careclimatechange.org/files/adaptation/ALP_PSP_Brief.pdf).
Library of UN Materials Relevant for Climate Change Learning
Provides a one stop window to search for and access materials prepared by UN organizations relevant to climate change learning. To date, it contains over 1,000 entries, ranging from training manuals on climate change for health professionals to educational hand books for teachers and students. Some of the materials were developed in collaboration with non-UN organizations.
To guide project teams in achieving the highest quality in the analysis, design, implementation and information & knowledge management of CBA projects, we have developed the CBA Project Standards. These standards represent the key criteria that must be achieved to ensure the quality of process and outputs of different stages of the project cycle. Most importantly, the achievement of these standards will help to ensure that CBA projects make a sustainable contribution to the adaptive capacity of project stakeholders.