Issue 38 | May 2021
The urgency to step up for a more ambitious climate action is clearer than the waters of small island developing states (SIDS). 2021 should be the year of climate action—a “make it or break it year,” once stated by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the launch of the World Meteorological Organization’s report on the State of the Global Climate 2020.

With six months to go before the climate and world leaders gather for the much-anticipated COP 26, many SIDS have been ramping up their climate ambitions to the levels committed in the Paris Agreement. Through its Climate Promise, UNDP is assisting 28 SIDS in updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to ensure a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for all. On top of enhancing their NDCs, SIDS have been driving a green recovery and promoting collective action to safeguard their progress in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the S.A.M.O.A Pathway. SIDS are putting up a united front on the climate crisis because they all know too well that raising the ambition for climate action is now more important than ever.

#UNDP4SIDS #RisingUpForSIDS
Image: Mauritius/ UNDP Mauritius
Keywords: financial resiliency, water security, NDCs, green recovery, blue economy, climate action, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, resilience, crisis response, ocean protection, blue carbon 
 
Country Corner
Image: Kiribati/ Azza Aishath/ UNDP Climate

Notwithstanding the inherent vulnerabilities many SIDS share, they see strong collective commitment and action as a crucial prerequisite to achieving their goals. To give a good example, recently, staff and members of Kiribati Parliament joined their counterparts in fellow Pacific Island countries, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Tonga for a two-day knowledge sharing session to enhance their role in implementing the SDGs. The session was jointly hosted by the Parliament of Kiribati and UNDP with support from the Government of New Zealand. This was part of a series of capacity-building activities which the Members of Kiribati's Parliament and UNDP have been jointly undertaking since the new Parliament's election in 2020. During the sessions, Madam Speaker of the Parliament of Kiribati Honourable Tangariki Reete, emphasized the importance of South-South knowledge exchange to not only learn from one another how to enhance their role in SDG implementation but also to develop collaboration with different institutions and civil society at the national and regional level. Undoubtedly, financing is key towards achieving SDGs, and the session shed light on the importance of the parliament's power in overseeing the budgetary processes to ensure the SDG implementation is operating smoothly. The initiative demonstrates the catalytic power of SIDS-SIDS collaboration in empowering public institutions to support them in targeting key challenges in realizing the SDGs.
 
Pacific region’s first-ever parametric insurance scheme as a game-changer in building financial resiliency

Small island developing states are widely regarded as the most disaster-prone countries in the world and the Pacific Islands are considered to be “among the most vulnerable in the world facing many natural hazards, such as cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.” For instance, Fiji is ranked as 15th most hazardous country in the world. As a result, economic growth has been slow in the past decades. Farmers, fishermen, small businesses, and other vulnerable groups such as women, youths and persons living with disabilities, have little financial capacity to cope with the economic shocks that follow a cyclone. To improve the financial preparedness of Pacific households, small businesses, cooperatives and other organizations at the micro and meso levels, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in partnership with the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and UNDP launched the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP). PICAP will pilot, test and scale climate disaster risk financing instruments like parametric insurance that will offer immediate post-disaster payouts to those insured. The insurance product will provide immediate cash liquidity post disasters to the beneficiaries and will also support Fiji and the region’s efforts to build financial resilience in the face of natural disasters. The programme is still on its early stage and is being trialed in Fiji. A first of its kind in Fiji and in the Pacific, the main objective is to reach vulnerable populations and deliver benefits of climate and disaster risk financing and insurance instruments like parametric insurance. After building a solid foundation, the project is expected to be scaled-up and replicated in other SIDS, making sure that the vulnerable groups in these nations can build financial resilience and secure their assets and livelihoods.  
 

Image: UNDP SURGE

Household and Building Damage Assessment (HBDA): the digital offspring of collaboration and innovation 

Digital assessments enable UNDP to provide immediate assistance to communities affected by certain crises. One of UNDP’s most significant crisis response solutions is the Household and Building Damage Assessment (HBDA), an end-to-end toolkit that allows rapid and reliable data collection to inform evidence-based policies. Initially developed in 2017 in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria, the HBDA allowed the UNDP team in Barbados to take stock of the category-5 hurricanes’ trail of destruction. It was then used in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian in 2018 and the earthquake in Albania in 2019. Repeated use of the toolkit led to more innovations and iterations. After the tragic blast at the Port of Beirut in 2020, the UNDP’s crisis response team utilized Facebook Ads to drive traffic to the data collection software Kobo Toolbox. This helped them reach an additional 10,000 people in two weeks, which further improved the quality and quantity of data available for the HBDA. Currently, UNDP is piloting the next iteration of the HBDA in Colombia, with help from the SURGE Data Hub and the Accelerator Lab. SURGE Data Hub has also rolled out HBDA introductory training for all UNDP staff to further boost its response capabilities. As the tool evolves, it is providing even more impactful potential for crisis-affected countries. As we know, SIDS are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, the tool can empower countries to tackle one of the main challenges they face in the recovery process: rehabilitation of key infrastructure. Aligned with the third pillar of UNDP’s SIDS offer, it proves the power of digital solutions in bolstering our ability to provide rapid, agile support to countries.  

 
Image: West Sepik, Papua New Guinea/ Michael Sembenombo/ UNDP Papua New Guinea 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported that 71% of SIDS face a risk of water shortage, a figure that goes up to 91% in SIDS with the lowest altitude. In some villages of the West Sepik province in Papua New Guinea, access to clean freshwater resources used to be a dream for its residents because of the remoteness of the province. Through the initiative ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in Papua New Guinea Project,’ supported by UNDP and the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), 10 water supply projects have been implemented to provide safe and clean water to the residents of Moi and Kasai areas. Caritas Papua New Guinea, in partnership with the Catholic Dioceses of Vanimo, was contracted to implement the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project. The initiative had three components: (1) the installation of a water catchment system, (2) hygiene and sanitation, and (3) Covid-19 awareness. New water catchment systems, which include a 2000L water tank, hand washing basin and a shelter for rainwater harvesting, were installed in Bisiabru, Bariot and Wapfai and two tanks at Moi Parish. For these remote communities having access to clean water has contributed to a decrease in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, abscesses and rashes, proving how essential it is to implement integrated water systems directly in the islands. This initiative contributes to the goal of the SAMOA Pathway to provide safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure in SIDS. 
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In the News

Image: Mauritius/ UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to make nature count

The new accounting framework—the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting—Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) entered the scene of conservation as a major step forward to incorporating sustainable development in economic planning and policy decision-making. But how does this work? The framework takes a spatial approach to accounting, as the benefits a society receives from ecosystems depend on where those assets are in the landscape in relation to the beneficiaries. To accelerate the implementation of SEEA EA, a new open-source and user-friendly digital tool, called Artificial Intelligence for Environment and Sustainability (ARIES) for SEEA Explorer has been launched. This enables rapid and standardized yet customizable ecosystem accounting anywhere on Earth. Regarded to be a game-changer in implementing the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting Standard, the application enables countries to jump-start accounts compilation from global data sources and which they can refine with national data or model parameters by adding their own datasets through a simple drag-and-drop function of the interface. It is a well-known fact that SIDS are home to rich biodiversity thus the launch of this tool could not be timelier as SIDS plan for a green recovery. As the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted, it is fundamental to rethink past economic systems, to value the wellbeing of nature as a central to human wellbeing and economic prosperity. Digital solutions have proven more and more valuable in moving towards redesigning conservation practices. Through its integrated offer, Rising up for SIDS, UNDP supports SIDS to employ digital solutions, accelerate whole-of-society digital transformation as enablers of green recovery. 

 
Image: The Bahamas/Fernando Jorge/ Unsplash

Leveraging synergies between 3 Rio Conventions to boost Caribbean's climate action on land

With ocean territories 20.7 times greater than their land area, SIDS are well-recognized as ‘large ocean states’ and pioneers of the blue economy paradigm. But this does not mean SIDS overlook climate action on land as they are well-aware of how land degradation exacerbates their existing vulnerabilities. In fact, in recent news, 70 delegates from 16 Caribbean countries participated in a virtual event organized jointly by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Regional Liaison Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Regional Collaboration Center for the Caribbean of the UNFCCC. The delegates discussed financing solutions for climate action on land and highlighted the need to leverage synergies between biodiversity, climate, and land, thus bringing together the three Rio Conventions to catalyze coordinated action. These conventions are the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), UNFCCC, and UNCCD. To successfully implement these, the delegates distinguished three critical needs: (1) increased levels of international finance for climate action, particularly for adaptation planning in vulnerable countries, (2) holistic and innovative financing, and (3) enhanced access to climate finance through long term capacity-building. With such a high need for financing to advance climate action, a call to consider a country’s vulnerability when trying to access debt relief and concessional funding was brought up. As the international community builds momentum for the COP26, the discussions about “fiscal space and debt sustainability” in SIDS are growing stronger. Through UNDP’s SIDS Offer, SIDS are being supported to enable access to financing for development to build a resilient and sustainable future. UNDP has furthermore contributed towards joint UN efforts to develop a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, that would help SIDS in addressing their challenges in accessing financing for development. 

 
Image: Beloi, Timor-Leste/Tanushree Rao/ Unsplash

5 anticipated outcomes for climate-vulnerable SIDS in the upcoming COP 26

The fast-approaching COP 26 is deemed as a defining moment in the battle against the climate crisis. With major emitters coming out strong with bold commitments to reduce GHG emissions, such as the United States’ 50% to 52% below 2005 levels by 2050 and the United Kingdom’s 78% by 2035, some momentum on global climate action has been restored. However, the ultimate goal of limiting global warming to not more than 1.5°C remains a distant target. Climate-vulnerable SIDS are already facing the disproportionate impacts of climate change, how can the global community prevent reaching the 1.5°C threshold? The new Allied for Climate Transformation by 2025 (ACT2025) are exploring ways to rebuild trust and foster cooperation to advance an ambitious and just outcome at COP26 and beyond. While there are many outcomes that are expected from the COP 26, consortium members believe these 5 outcomes are the most crucial to climate-vulnerable nations: (1) ambitious, concrete, and near-term actions in line with the 1.5°C temperature rise; (2) scaled-up and accessible finance for vulnerable countries; (3) increased adaptation funds and efforts; (4) constructive path forward on loss and damage; (5) finalized rules and clear architecture for the Paris Agreement. In the coming months, significant international dialogues could pave way for more opportunities to step up ambitions—such as the UN High-Level Dialogue on EnergyPetersberg Climate Dialogue, and UNFCCC intersessional negotiation period

Resources
Image: Seychelles/ Kamil Rogalinski/ Unsplash

Forests are known to sequester carbon in soil and trees, known to be significant in mitigating climate change. However, to meet our goal in the Paris Agreement, we should explore other mitigation strategies than planting more trees. Recently, types of marine vegetation, such as seagrass beds in shallow waters, mangrove forests, and tidal covered in saltbush are found to absorb and store carbon 40-50 times faster than tropical rainforest—these are the so-called ‘blue carbon ecosystems.’ For small island developing states, this is good news. Home to large coastal marine ecosystems, SIDS can reap essential benefits for climate change adaptation, including coastal protection and food security for many coastal communities. Likewise, well-planned blue carbon sites could simultaneously contribute to carbon sequestration, habitat protection, artisanal fisheries, and ecotourism. It is vital for SIDS to explore accounting for the ocean’s carbon offsetting capacity to help these nations remain a net carbon sink and achieve their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). A pioneer in this pursuit, Seychelles first started the ambitious ‘blue bonds’ where a portion of its national debt is written off in exchange for more intensive protection of its marine ecosystem. As another means to bolster Seychelles’ conservation practices, the Blue Carbon Lab enters a partnership with the James Michel Foundation to develop a “Roadmap to Blue Carbon opportunities in the Seychelles” funded by a 2-year Blue grant from Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT). This will advance the exploration of Seychelles’ Blue Carbon Future using two major steps: (1) by assessing the potential of blue carbon opportunities in Seychelles and (2) by building local capacity on Blue Carbon through a series of on-site workshop. An initial report has been published recently to identify trends and gaps in blue carbon research and to analyze data on the regional carbon pools. The research indicates that despite the growing interest in blue carbon, there is still a lack of blue carbon datasets from different marine vegetations, especially in the geographical area of Seychelles. To fill in these gaps, the initiative can move forward with boosting collaboration with stakeholders and experts, invest in capacity building of the citizens to improve research network, and support research focusing on carbon storage in seagrass and mangrove ecosystems.  
 

Image:The potentials of different sectors and technologies for mitigation/Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue report

'Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue' champions mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard the world's oceans


The world’s oceans reached their hottest level in recorded history in 2020 and currently warming at a faster rate than previously estimated. To date, the ocean has absorbed around 90% of the heat generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions trapped in the Earth’s system and has taken in 30% of carbon emissions. This accelerated increase in the ocean’s temperature is just one of the signals of the worsening climate crisis since warming oceans could prompt a rise in sea levels by about 30 cm by the end of the century—an imminent threat to many SIDS. The UN Climate Change recently launched a report based on the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue that took place in December 2020. This highlights the need for governments to accelerate ocean action and consider how to curb greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts. While drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions is believed as the most effective way to protect the ocean, this would require more ambitious mitigation and adaptation strategies. So are there other ways to enhance ocean action? Dr. Jane Lubchenko, Expert Group Co-Chair of the High-Level Panel for a sustainable ocean economy, reported on the schemes in which oceans benefit from mitigation strategies such as promoting ocean-based renewable energy; shifting ocean-based transport; protecting and restoring blue carbon, and other coastal and marine ecosystems; and promoting low-carbon food. Besides these mitigation strategies, the dialogue also considered adaptation approaches that involve climate-smart marine protected areas (MPAs), sustainable fisheries, sustainable resource, and ecosystems management. With these ideas and opportunities for ocean and climate action, the Ocean Dialogue sets out key recommendations that need to be taken by governments, including at the upcoming COP 26. These suggestions particularly highlighted the need to integrate ocean-based solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other national processes. Under the SIDS Offer's Blue Economy pillar, UNDP supports SIDS to preserve marine and coastal biodiversity and the acceleration of the ocean economy sectors—all while empowering local livelihoods. Some of the initiatives enshrined in the Blue Economy pillar are the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and Ridge-to-Reef program with the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

 
 
Image: Mauritius/ UNDP Mauritius
SIDS are ramping up NDCs planning to drive climate ambitions

The UNDP’s Climate Promise was established to support any country aiming to improve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Currently supporting 118 countries—of which 28 are SIDS—and collaborating with over 35 partners, UNDP’s Climate Promise is the largest offer of support for the enhancement of countries’ climate pledges. With 74% of its public believing in the climate emergency, it is no surprise that SIDS demonstrated a significant level of ambition based on the recently launched Climate Promise progress report. Four SIDS (Grenada, Dominican Republic, Maldives, Papua New Guinea) have communicated their revised NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). All four have shown an increase in their mitigation ambition and enhancement in their adaptation components. Belize has started policy and institutional reforms by endorsing a National Mitigation strategy, outlining actions to mitigate emissions within the country’s development framework. In addition, it has prepared a comprehensive financing strategy where costing of the climate actions listed in the NDC and the identification of funding gaps that require investments are indicated. Mauritius, on the other hand, is exploring opportunities beyond public resources to access private investment opportunities and innovative finance mechanisms through vulnerability and progress assessments, combined with dialogues with potential investors. The whole-of-society approach has been well-received by over 80 countries and this is part of the Maldives’ NDC revision process. The country is developing participatory dialogue and engagement mechanisms of local government, private sector, and other non-state actors on climate adaptation and mitigation. While circular economy is an interest in many countries, Vanuatu is already incorporating key inputs of its circular economy assessment reports to shape mitigation strategies of the country’s revised NDC with an emphasis on high socio-economic impacts and potential to generate green jobs. While there are more examples where SIDS demonstrated progress in their NDCs revisions, the report also highlighted some key takeaways that can be applied whether during the NDCs revision or implementation. For instance, the report found strong potential for SIDS to leverage peer learning among their network to share solutions and best practices. Another key takeaway is the importance to strengthen engagement and coordination among key partners and stakeholders, especially in preparation for future NDC implementation. The report highlighted many efforts accelerated by SIDS to make sure their plan of action is in line with the goal of the Paris Agreement. 
 

The Second World Ocean Assessment (WOA II)

This is a collective effort of interdisciplinary writing teams made up of more than 300 experts, drawn from a pool of over 780 experts from around the world. WOA II is the major output of the second cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the States of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. It is the newest outcome of the only integrated assessment of the world’s ocean at the global level covering environmental, economic and social aspects. 

 

Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals in Small Developing States with Climate Vulnerabilities: Cost and Financing 

Achieving the SDGs goes hand-in-hand with building climate resilience in SDS but this pursuit requires additional cost and oftentimes the objectives are difficult to finance.This work adapts the IMF SDG Costing methodology to capture the unique characteristics and challenges of climate-vulnerable SDS. It also zooms into financing options, estimating domestic tax potential and discussing the possibility of accessing ‘climate funds.’

 

SMILO Annual Report 2020 

The Small Islands Organisation (SMILO) assists small islands of less than 150 km2 that wish to work towards managing their territory more sustainably. SMILO aims to curb impacts linked to human activities and development, whilst fostering innovations on islands that benefit the local population and their environment. Read their annual report to learn more about their projects, certification process, progress reports from small islands, and their outlook for 2021.

 

State of Environment and Conservation in the Pacific Islands: 2020 Regional Report (SOEC 2020)

The report examines the status and trends of 31 regional environment indicators in 22 Pacific island countries and territories and updates the 2013 State of Conservation in Oceania assessment, focusing on the period 2015-2020.  The first of its kind, SOEC 2020 contains a combined regional assessment of the trends and conditions of the environment in the Pacific to better inform decision making at the regional level as well as improve reporting to multilateral environmental agreements. 

Upcoming Opportunities and Events

Calling all Sustainable Energy and Climate Action leaders in island states!

The Climate Investment Platform (CIP) recently launched a call for proposals which aims to unlock investments in projects that advance climate action and energy security in SIDS. In addition, it aims to support primarily public sector entities and public-private partnerships, and help fund clean energy opportunities in developing island states. Who can apply? Public sector entities in SIDS, public-private partnerships including with NGOs, foundations and associations are highly encouraged and strong applications from private sector organizations will be considered. The selected projects will receive technical assistance for amounts between $30,000-$80,000 for project development and design, depending on the size and nature of the of the project idea, to eligible applicants. The deadline for project submissions is May 27, 12 PM (ET).     

Learn more and apply here
Have a question about our call for proposals? Join our workshop on 14 May at 9am EST. Open to all, this workshop is to answer questions and help you apply.
REGISTER
 

Nominate the next recipient of the Secretary-General's Award for Excellence in Deep-Sea Research!

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) launched the Secretary-General’s Award for Deep-Sea Research Excellence which recognizes and encourages the achievements of young researchers from developing countries who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the deep-sea environment, or to the development of environmentally sustainable regulatory frameworks. Nominations and applications must be supported by two sponsors and should be sent to [email protected] no later than 15 July 2021. The name of the awardee will be announced on 24 July 2021.

Learn more and apply here
 

Apply for SeyCCAT's Blue Grants Fund 5!

The Blue Grants Fund offers grants to impactful Seychellois-led projects that advance marine conservations, sustainable fisheries, development of new and existing MPAs, and select other blue sectors. Alongside the Blue Investment Fund managed by the Development Bank of Seychelles, the BGF is a part of the Seychelles’ Blue Finance approach. The deadline of the call for proposals is June 11. 
Learn more and apply here
 

The new, ground-breaking biodiversity module within the ENCORE tool enables financial institutions to identify risks and opportunities, in order to align their activities to a goal of no net biodiversity loss globally. Two sessions of the webinar “Aligning Financial Portfolios with Biodiversity Goals” will be held virtually on Wednesday, 26th May 2021 to introduce this exciting new module.
 
 
When: May 26, 10 AM and 4PM (both CEST)
 

REGISTER

COP 26 is fast approaching and the World Economic Forum builds momentum with a programme that aims to demonstrate the need for systemic change to accelerate the global transition to a zero-carbon economy. Hosted in collaboration with the Mission Possible Partnership, UK COP26 Presidency and the UN High-Level Champions for COP26, this series of live-streamed discussions will focus on steel, shipping, hydrogen and nature-based solutions and the Breakthroughs needed to achieve a net-zero world in time.

When: May 27, 11 AM (CEST) 
LEARN MORE
 
With the theme of “Innovative Financing for Inclusive ICT in Education,” UNESCO's Pacific Regional Conference on ICT in Education aims to discuss practical aspects of implementing innovative financing, resource mobilization, and partnerships to ensure financial viability and sustainability of ICT in education projects.


When: June 3, 8AM -11AM Bangkok
 

 

Artificial Intelligence for a Digital Blue Planet
 
This three-day global forum will bring together data scientists, analysts and researchers from marine research institutions and universities around the world to share their knowledge, skills and innovative ideas and discuss ways AI could help promote the use of knowledge to improve marine ecosystems management.

When: June 28-30

REGISTER

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