ICLEI’s growing presence in the Pacific

The Pacific Islands are harbingers of climate change, being some of the most vulnerable places in the world. However, they are tackling climate change threats head-on and finding new ways to build resilience to rising sea levels, water stress and food insecurity. These islands are at the frontline and setting precedents which will be critical for the survival of many other parts of the world.

Eita Village divided is by encroaching seas

The highest point in South Tarawa is only 3 metres above sea level

“The last tree in my village”

A growing group of Pacific towns and cities is working with ICLEI Oceania – as ICLEI Members, signatories to the Global Covenant of Mayors, and/or participants in ICLEI projects and events.  

ICLEI is currently working with the two urban councils in South Tarawa, Kiribati, in collaboration with the CommonWealth Local Government Association (CLGF) and others, with funding provided by Germany’sInternational Climate Initiative (IKI), to help targeted communities to combat sea level rise, saline soils, degraded vegetation and eroding coastlines, using innovative water harvesting, food production, coastal protection and waste management techniques.  Under the banner of the Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEI is also supporting six towns and cities in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands to develop Climate Action Plans which will facilitate taking quick action.  

This work forms part of ICLEI’s global Frontline Cities and Islands initiative. As we develop solutions to island climate threats we are exploring ways to make these solutions available to other island countries, in the Pacific and beyond!