Making climate resilient infrastructure real in the Pacific

The Climate Partnership Support Unit is working with architects, engineers, designers, project managers, construction managers and aid program practitioners to define a ‘must have’ set of criteria for climate and disaster resilient social infrastructure. The schools, health clinics, markets and shelters build with Australian aid funding will all need to be resilient, adapted to the projected impacts of climate change, including higher wind speeds, stronger storm surge and more intense rain, record busting heat, flood and water shortages. While there are many challenges in delivering infrastructure to consistent high standards, and many trade-offs along the way, Pacific Island governments can no longer afford the loss of essential facilities to increasingly frequent disasters. The long lags before schools and clinics are rebuilt mean that children amiss out on school and everyone lacks good health care.

The Support Unit has engaged Engineers Without Borders to facilitate the Roundtable process, which includes extensive preparation, interviews, Advisory Group meetings and GESI focus group meetings, to ensure that the right expertise is in the room and that the essential elements of resilience are included. The Roundtable took place in Canberra on 19-20 November 2019.