Implications of Climate Change in the South Pacific by 2030 – SPDMM
The South Pacific region covers the whole zone of the Pacific Ocean that is located south of the Equator, and comprises hundreds of islands. The South Pacific region will continue to be one of the world’s areas that will be most affected by the impacts of climate change. As affirmed by leaders at the 2018 Pacific Islands Forum, in the Boe Declaration, “climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of Pacific people” (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, 2018). Common climate challenges but also important disparities and strong historical and cultural links between countries of the region have fostered regional cooperation to build resilience to disasters and climate change for decades.
Indeed, the region is characterised by diversity between its different islands: it comprises some of largest islands in the world, but also some of the smallest; countries are at very different levels of development, ranging from least developed countries (Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Solomon islands) to some of the most developed countries in the world (Australia, New Zealand, France). Such differences imply some unequal capacities to address the impacts of climate change and have thus driven the need for regional cooperation allowing mutual assistance and sharing of best practices. Pacific Island countries, however, hold important indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation. Where this cooperation is already well developed in the South Pacific region, there is still room for improvement in order to better respond to the multiple challenges raised by climate change.
Due to the high number of low-lying atolls, sea-level rise is naturally one of the most pressing concerns. Indeed, one of the most discussed and analysed impacts associated with climate change has been the potential implications of environmental hazards due to sea-level rise on small island states. Projections suggest that the low-lying atolls and islands that are highly dependent on coastal areas for socioeconomic activity are highly vulnerable to sea-level rise (Nurse et al., 2014). The impacts on coastal regions are likely to be exacerbated by an increase in the probability of high-intensity cyclones and associated storm surges. It is also likely that a drying trend across the south-western part of the Pacific would appear if the La Niña phase of the Southern Oscillation becomes more dominant, as projected. This will significantly affect natural resource management in the South Pacific (Preston et al., 2006; Power et al. 2017). Thus, freshwater resources on small islands, many of which are dependent on the positive pressure of freshwater lenses to ensure that salinity does not influence groundwater resources, could also be highly problematic. If more extreme precipitation events come about as projected in places such as Papua New Guinea, local flooding and landslides could become more of a problem. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2008) suggests that the combined impacts of climate change, including impacts on local agriculture and fisheries, will significantly increase food insecurity throughout the region.
This report seeks to assess the security implications of climate change in the South Pacific and focuses on four dimensions: the vulnerability of key infrastructure, humanitarian challenges, maritime surveillance and the way forward for regional cooperation. The report was commissioned by the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) and seeks to guide regional defence forces and ministries to develop concrete recommendations for enhanced cooperation on these issues in the region. The report itself is the result of a cooperation between the Ministries of Defense of Australia, Chile, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, under the coordination of France. The study was coordinated by the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), and has benefited from valuable contributions of the SPDMM members mentioned above.
A first section draws a broad overview of the expected climate impacts in the South Pacific by 2030, and their consequences for regional security. The report then proceeds to examine the three dimensions that were identified as priorities for cooperation. Each of the three dimensions is first addressed from a regional viewpoint, outlining common challenges. It is then addressed from different national perspective, with a view to sharing best practices and policies. The report concludes with recommendations that aim to increase regional cooperation on the most pressing issues, including some practical steps that could be taken more immediately.
