Climate Partnership Next Gen is underway

Kate Duggan presenting at the Climate Partnership Next Gen climate projections project launch, opened by DFAT HOM Sara Moriarty in Apia.

Having access to the latest climate science will put Pacific Islands governments, businesses and communities in the best possible position to deal with the impacts of climate change. The Climate Partnership Support Unit has formed a partnership with the CSIRO and SPREP to update the 2014 climate projections for 14 countries in the Western Pacific region, and apply these to a range of real life case studies, including several from current Australian aid investment programs. This work will enable the Support Unit to access accurate climate information and tailor it to the highly contextual needs of the people and businesses benefiting from Australian aid in Pacific Island countries, whether it is through upgrading infrastructure designs to withstand cyclones, developing strategies for managing the impacts of heat and flooding on staple and cash crops, or upgrading education materials for STEM in schools to include the latest climate science.

The Next Gen project was launched by Australian HOM Sara Moriarty for Samoa at the Pacific Met Council’s meeting in Apia on 31 July 2019. The event saw great interaction and input from Pacific Island stakeholders to identify case studies.