REACH

CLIMAP Leads to Practical Climate Proofing in Pacific Projects

Under the Climate Change Adaptation Program in the Pacific-CLIMAP (TA 6064-REG) project, six case studies using existing development projects have been "climate proofed" at minimal extra cost in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Cook Islands This risk based climate proofing approach has been shown to be particularly relevant to small Pacific Island States and communities that are particularly vulnerable to the sea level rise and enhanced storm frequency and severity that are expected from climate change. Extreme climate events that are currently rare are projected to become relatively common as a result of climate change. The climate proofing approach has shown that it is possible to avoid most of the damage costs from climate change to infrastructure projects in a cost effective manner if "climate proofing" is undertaken at the project design stage. If climate change adaptation is mainstreamed in an integrated way from the beginning of the project development cycle then huge risk reductions and their likely costs can clearly be achieved for low additional costs. This is demonstrably a superior approach to ignoring the predictable effects of climate change and having to fix up the damage and rebuild the infrastructure afterwards.

The specific case studies that were "climate proofed" under CLIMAP and the results achieved were: -

• Sapwohn coastal community in Pohnpei (FSM) - where adaption measures were identified that would be highly cost-effective, even without the impact of climate change.
• Kosrae roading infrastructure project (FSM) - where the northern section of the new road is being delayed until funds are available to climate proof it during construction. The extra cost of the climate proofed road was shown to give an 11% rate of return from lower maintenance and repair costs regardless of risks of more extreme climate events.
• National Strategic Development Plan's health and environment elements (FSM) - where the "Climate Proofed" plan has become the primary FSM economic planning strategy.
• Western basin breakwater design, Rarotonga - where the design of the breakwater was shown to need to take into account both higher wave heights and higher sea levels than previously considered.
• Avatiu-Ruatonga inland community - where analysis showed that the community was already at significant risk from high waves and sea surges, and that this would be exacerbated by sea level and storm intensity increases from climate change. Several no-regrets voluntary and regulatory approaches to reduce risks were identified, and even major sea wall construction was shown to be highly cost-effective against seas urges, again regardless of any increase in sea surges due to climate change effects.
• Cook Islands national development strategy - where mainstreaming adaptation to climate change has been endorsed by Cabinet and is underway in the National Sustainable Development Strategy that is currently in preparation.

In addition to the six case studies, eight country climate risk profiles have been prepared and nineteen Project Adaptation Briefs have been completed for projects identified as climate sensitive. The project has also developed a novel Climate Change Adaptation through Integrated Risk Reduction (CCAIRR) approach that is proving to be very useful and is being applied at three levels (1) project activities level, (2) national development planning and sector program level, and (3) at the country strategy and program level.

CLIMAP was co-financed by the Canadian Cooperation Fund for Climate Change, one of the four funds administered under ADB's REACH Program. Further details about CLIMAP are available at http://www.adb.orgreg-ta6064.asp.

Training on SIMulator of CLIMate Change Risks and Adaptation Initiatives in Pohnpei, Federal States of Micronesia (FSM)	Raised Threshold in Sapwohn Village, Pohnpei, FSM - preventing damage from minor flooding despite the floor of the dwelling being at ground level.
A recently constructed house in a high risk flooding area, also in Sapwohn Village, showing the living space elevated well above ground level.	Walung, a community of the southwest corner of Kosrae, FSM; Identified as one of the many beneficiaries upon completion of the Circumferential Road.
Some of the participants in the National Climate Dialogue held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in August 2004.