World Bank, 6th June 2018
MAJURO, June 6, 2018 – The World Bank and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands this week launched two climate change related projects that will increase investments in renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and enhance the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The Marshall Islands is amongst the countries’ most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels with risks including droughts, tropical storms, typhoons, erosion and flooding linked to king-tides and storm surges. With the islands elevated on average only two meters above sea level and 99 percent of Marshallese living on the coast, a sea level rise of one meter could inundate 80 percent of all land in the capital city, Majuro.
The Marshall Islands’ reliance on expensive imported fuel for electricity also creates severe financial challenges for the country’s economy.
The two projects, amounting to US$53.6 million combined, aim to reduce these vulnerabilities.