Pacific communities
facing climate change

While Pacific Island Countries and Territories contribute to 0.03% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are on the front line of climate change risks. According to the latest IPCC report¹, if the planet warms up by an average of two degrees Celsius (+2°C), the risk of losing more than 90% of the Pacific region's marine and coastal ecosystems would be very likely.

1 - Source : IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter15 Small Islands.15.3.3.1 Impacts on Marine and Coastal Systems - Read the document

For instance, with sea level rise estimated at 80cm by 2100² (Scenario SSP5-8.5, meaning very high GHG emissions), extreme weather events, accelerated coral bleaching, land salinization and ocean acidification, Pacific populations are already heavily impacted by the consequences of climate change.

With the majority of Pacific people relying on fisheries for their livelihoods, and 25% living below the poverty line³, the risk of food insecurity is a real challenge for this region, among other key challenges.

Preserving Pacific ecosystems and communities is a priority for the Kiwa Initiative, which contributes to the concrete implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate change adaptation in nineteen Pacific Island states and territories.

2 - Source : AR6 Physical Science Basis report. Scenario SSP5 8.5 - Read the document

3 - Source : Rapport d’études n° 8 Pacifique Sud - Février 2019 - IRIS - Read the document

Facts & Figures

[Food security]

@ SPC - What took you so long

80%

of the population of Oceania relies on natural resources for its subsistence.

Source: Regional IPBES report, 2020

[Biodiversity]

@ IUCN

6 out of 36

world’s biodiversity hot spots are in Oceania.

Source: 2022 IPCC report

[Global warming]

@ SPC - What took you so long

+2°C to 4°C

By 2100, temperatures in the South Pacific will increase by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

Source: 2022 IPCC report

[Pacific way of life]

@ Pexels

90%

of Pacific Islanders live within 5km of the coast.

Source: IPCC report - Andrew et al.,2019

[Global warming]

@ Ocean Images Bank

+80 cm

Rising sea levels (an 80 cm increase is likely by 2100) will threaten low-llying coastal areas on the islands and atolls.

Source: 2022 IPCC report

[Climate finance]

@ ONF international

Oceania accounts for 1% of climate finance while Pacific Nations are amongst the most vulnerable and exposed to climate change impacts.

Source: OECD 2021 report

[Gender issues]

SPC - What Took You So Long

20%

Share of female workforce working in fisheries, aquaculture and related industries in the Pacific region - higher proportion than the rest of the world.

Source: OXFAM, Making Climate Finance Work for Women: Voices from Polynesian and Micronesian Communities, 2019