Solomon Islands is developing its first dedicated national policy to address the growing economic and social costs of climate change that the country can no longer avoid.
The country is estimated to lose US$79 million (SBD$635,838,057) a year to climate-related impacts, equivalent to 8.69 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
The figure is contained in Solomon Islands’ first Biennial Transparency Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The report warns that the actual cost could be even higher because the estimate does not include losses caused by floods and droughts.
Against this backdrop, the Government is developing a National Loss and Damage Policy and Investment Roadmap to guide how the country responds to climate impacts that cannot be prevented through emissions reduction or adaptation.
Consultations on the draft policy and roadmap were being held in Honiara from 10 to 13 August.
The process brings together government ministries, provincial leaders, researchers, civil society organisations, faith-based groups and development partners.
The Government is leading the process through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM).
It is working with the Pacific Community (SPC), with support from the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and SPC’s Climate Change and Sustainability Division.
Loss and Damage refers to climate impacts that remain after efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
These impacts can include damage to roads, buildings, businesses and livelihoods. They can also involve losses that are difficult to measure in financial terms.
These include loss of life, health, land, ecosystems, cultural heritage and community connections.
Deputy Secretary Corporate of the Climate Change Division at MECDM, Karl Kuper, said the policy must be practical and reflect the realities facing Solomon Islands.
“We need this policy to work in Solomon Islands, not only on paper,” Kuper stated.
He said this meant listening to ministries, provinces and communities about the impacts they were already experiencing.
It also meant identifying gaps and determining what support was needed, Kuper added..
Once completed, the National Loss and Damage Policy will establish a framework for how responsibilities are shared across government.
The Investment Roadmap will identify the financing and investments needed to turn those priorities into action.
The current consultations are examining the proposed vision, objectives, responsibilities and priorities contained in the draft policy.
Participants are also identifying gaps and assessing which measures can realistically be implemented.
The Investment Roadmap is being reviewed alongside the policy.
This is intended to ensure that national priorities are linked to practical investment opportunities that government and its development partners can finance.
Consultations have included government officials responsible for climate change, tourism, social services, commerce and labour.
Provincial representatives have also raised issues around local financing and planned relocation.
They also discussed how the policy could be implemented through provincial and ward-level structures.
Civil society and faith-based organisations shared experiences from communities affected by climate change.
Representatives from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) provided input on research, climate information and monitoring.
They also discussed the skills and capacity needed to support implementation.
Particular attention has been given to the impacts of climate change on tourism, businesses, jobs and livelihoods.
The needs of women, young people, children and persons with disabilities have also been considered.
Smaller businesses and enterprises are among those facing particular risks from climate-related disruptions.
The first draft of the policy draws on national and international research.
It also considers existing climate policies, legislation, government structures and financing mechanisms.
The latest consultations are intended to test whether the proposed approach reflects the realities on the ground.
SPC Loss and Damage Funding Coordinator Michelle DeFreese said the consultations were connecting national evidence with Solomon Islands’ investment priorities.
She said the process would help ensure the final policy reflected the experiences of communities affected by climate change.
It would also bring together perspectives from academia, civil society and community organisations, she said.
“This multi-stakeholder consultative process will help to strengthen the policy so that it is ultimately more effective for responding to loss and damage,” DeFreese said.
Feedback from the consultations will be used to revise the policy and Investment Roadmap.
The documents will then undergo further review by MECDM and SPC.
They will subsequently be formally validated before being submitted for government approval.
