The importance of interaction among climate science, policy, and action is key to building climate-resilient societies. This interaction is equally important in sharing best practices of how science can be used to inform evidence-based strategic planning and implementation of adaptation actions in the Pacific.
The message was reinforced during a side event on the “Development and Utilization of Information Platforms towards Climate Resilient Societies” in Asia-Pacific Region held on 2 November 2021 at the COP26 Japan Pavilion, where the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) was represented by Yvette Kerslake (Technical Adviser – Science to Services).
Jointly hosted by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Ms Kerslake introduced the work of the PCCC including activities since its establishment and the ongoing challenges in terms of delivering scientific information to communities in the Pacific region.
According to Yvette Kerslake” one main challenge in the Pacific is that information that is disseminated can be too technical to be actionable and dissemination methods can be limited. Hence, in August this year the PCCC together with the Australia National University (ANU) hosted a Pacific webinar on the IPCC 6AR WGII report - an overview of the physical science of climate change for the pacific with the aim to address a knowledge gap in the pacific region around the work of the IPCC and to provide the most up to date synthesis of relevant climate change information to diverse pacific audiences including key decision makers including policymakers, experts and the public.
She also highlighted that in spite of the challenges there are also significant opportunities for innovative ways to ensure that no one is left behind. This included examples of applied research such as hosting the Pacific-specific forums on the latest findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I contributions and its implications for vulnerable Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) as well as the Pacific Climate Change Portal, an information and knowledge sharing platform for the Pacific.
The other key core functions of the PCCC in addition to Innovation are Knowledge Brokerage, Capacity Building, and Applied Research.
“The PCCC wasnt open for very long before we were struck by the pandemic COVID-19, yet despite this, we adapted how we deliver our services very quickly to ensure we could still undertake work in these key areas for our Pacific Islands people, virtually,” said Ms Kerslake.
“In fact, it was just this year that we launched our Climate Change Moodle allowing for online learning for a wide range of target audiences. The PCCC will continue to undertake and explore new and different opportunities to continue empowering our Pacific islands communities.”
The event further explored the potential of international platforms in accelerating adaptation across countries, where the challenges of Pacific islands and Small Island Development States (SIDS) must be considered from inception to completion, including training for monitoring to ensure long-term use and sustainability.
The PCCC is the regional centre of excellence for climate change information, research and innovation, hosted at SPREP. As a centre of excellence, the PCCC is mandated to provide practical information, support, and training to address the adaptation and mitigation priorities of Pacific Island communities.
The PCCC is underpinned by strong partnerships with Pacific Governments, applied research institutions, donors, civil society, and the private sector. The PCCC is a partnership between the Governments of Japan and Samoa. It is funded under grant aid through JICA for Samoa as the host country of SPREP.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
A recording of this session can be viewed here.
