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 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) secretariat has produced this book to
highlight the concerns and needs of developing countries
in adapting to the effects of climate change. This book
outlines the impact of climate change in four developing
country regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America and small
island developing States; the vulnerability of these regions
to future climate change; current adaptation plans,
strategies and actions; and future adaptation options
and needs.
 

The assessment of available remote sensing data indicates, that there is almost no potential for
activities reducing deforestation within the CCA/REDD site. Reducing forest degradation by
eliminating invasive weeds might show some potential for emission reductions and removals, but
requires further research to assess the management options and their carbon dynamics.
 

The potential environmental, economic and social impacts of Climate and Sea Level Change motivate Vanuatu’s commitment to participating effectively in international effort to combat global warming and Sea Level Rise. Vanuatu is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and took an active part in the initial negotiations in the development of the convention through its affiliations with Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Vanuatu’s Inventory for Greenhouse Gases has been calculated for the base year 2000 using the revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The UNFCCC software “Non Annex1 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Software, Version 1.3.3” has been used for the estimation of GHG. Sectoral data for GHG estimation was compiled from various sources primarily using national data collected from annual reports, statistical reports, studies and brochures of related department/ institutions.

Attending UN climate negotiations for the first time is daunting, especially if it’s a Conference of the Parties (COP) session. With so many meetings happening in parallel — some open, some closed — and jargon and acronyms that constantly roll off people’s tongues, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process is notoriously complex.

This information was collected as part of the Pacific iCLIM project.  Information was gathered during a visit to Vanuatu in July 2015 by project officers, with the assistance of Rebecca Iaken and Florence Iautu from the Vanuatu VMGD, NAB PMU.

Abstract:

The purpose of the data/information stocktake  was to:

• Discover what data and information assets (related to climate change and DRM planning and decision making) were being created and held within departments or organisations