The Green Climate Fund has approved several major grants for climate related projects in the Pacific.
The board of the GCF, which is the agency set up by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change to help developing countries, has been meeting this week in Samoa.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi flanked by GCF Board Meeting Co-chairs (L) Ewen McDonald of Australia and (R) Zahir Fakeer of South Africa. Photo: supplied
It has announced a $US23 million dollar grant for a Climate Information Services for Resilient Development in Vanuatu project, which will help with capacity development.
$US57 million dollars will go to Samoa for integrated flood management in the catchment of the Vaisigano River, to be done with the UNDP.
Another grant of $US22 million is for a multi-country renewable energy programme with the Asian Development Bank with a focus on the Cook Islands, and support for the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga was also approved.
The Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Kosi Latu, said it was a great achievement for the Pacific.
Mr Latu said it was vital for the Pacific to cope with the impact of climate change and move away from fossil fuels and these grants would make a real difference.
