Waste and Floods – a perfect storm in the Pacific!

With funding provided by the European Union, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and ICLEI Oceania are actively supporting five towns and cities in the Pacific Islands as they confront the urgent challenges of climate change. In a recent mission, a dedicated team visited the island cities of Apia, Labasa, Savusavu, Honiara, and Tulagi to build upon earlier consultations and delve deeper into their most pressing issues arising from rapid urban development and climate change impacts. Notably, despite their varying geographical locations and sizes, these communities share common struggles in dealing with extreme weather events, sea level rise, and coastal flooding, exacerbated by inadequate waste management systems.

Upper Left: Recycling Lautoka; Upper Right: Blue Town, Savusavu; Middle Left: Tulagi Town Meeting; Bottom Left: Mangroves; Bottom Right: Solomon Islands Stakeholder meeting

These towns face challenges such as overwhelmed drainage systems during heavy rainfall, waterways filled with plastics, packaging, and organic waste, and inefficient or non-existent sewer and drain infrastructure. Recognizing the need for comprehensive solutions, the GCoM team introduced the concepts of Flood Risk Management and Circular Development, engaging in productive stakeholder meetings with local authorities to explore how these concepts can be applied to deliver integrated flood and waste management solutions.

Over the next 12 months, the towns will receive assistance in developing Climate Action Plans and designing bankable projects to address these pressing challenges. The aim is to provide practical support and guidance, enabling these communities to proactively tackle climate-related risks and build resilience. Through collaborative efforts, GCoM and ICLEI Oceania are committed to empowering local governments in the Pacific Islands to create sustainable and impactful solutions for a resilient future.

For more information about the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy guidance on developing your local government's Climate Action Plan, or if you're interested in becoming a member of ICLEI Oceania, please don't hesitate to contact us at Admin.Oceania@ICLEI.org or by visiting our website at ICLEIOceania.org.