The European Union (EU) and New Zealand have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing climate change impacts in Solomon Islands.
This pledge was announced at the launch of the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) Facility in Honiara today, with SBD$128 million in funding provided to support provincial governments through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, who was in the country meeting with key government officials, emphasized the severe impacts of the climate crisis on Solomon Islands’ communities, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
“Small island developing states like Solomon Islands are on the front line of climate change, and the European Union stands in solidarity with them,” she stated, adding that the EU will advocate for ambitious climate financing at the upcoming COP29.
Ambassador Plinkert highlighted the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which focuses on building sustainable infrastructure to bolster resilience in partner countries, recognizing that resilient infrastructure is vital for Solomon Islands’ local communities to implement climate solutions suited to their needs.
Acting New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Rebecca Williams, said New Zealand’s commitment to the LoCAL initiative.
She said climate adaptation is a top priority for the Pacific.
“The climate emergency is the greatest challenge facing the Pacific. Rising sea levels, unpredictable weather, and climate-induced natural disasters affect local communities deeply, impacting where people live, work, and raise families. New Zealand is committed to supporting climate resilience in the region,” she said.
Solomon Islands’ Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Wayne Ghemu, welcomed the support, calling the LoCAL initiative timely.
He added that the SBD$128 million LoCAL fund will be administered through the Provincial Government Strengthening Program (PGSP) to empower local governments in building climate resilience.
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