South Pacific Strengthens Climate Action with Statistics Workshop in Port Vila

The escalating impacts of climate change in the Pacific Islands, from rising sea levels to intensifying storms, pose an existential threat to the region's well-being. Recognizing this urgency, the Southern Pacific Sub-regional Workshop on Climate Change Statistics and Indicators, held in Port Vila, Vanuatu from June 3rd to 7th, 2024, aimed to equip participants with the expertise to compile data crucial for effective climate action.

Co-organized by The Pacific Community (SPC), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSIAP) and Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, the workshop addressed a critical need identified by Pacific Island leaders at the 2022 Pacific Islands Forum. Leaders declared a climate emergency, highlighting the need for data-driven solutions to achieve goals set out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific.

The workshop focused on two key areas:

• The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA): This international standard provides a framework for measuring the interaction between the economy and the environment. Participants gained knowledge of the SEEA Central Framework, with a specific emphasis on land, water, and ecosystem accounts. These accounts are essential for compiling indicators relevant to climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, including losses and damages – a major concern for Pacific Island nations.
• The Natural Disasters and Climate Change Survey Module : Developed by the SPC, this standardized survey methodology collects socio-economic data on the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on households and communities. Workshop participants learned how to implement this survey in their own countries, strengthening national statistical systems and providing policymakers with a clearer picture of the region's vulnerabilities.

By equipping participants with the skills to implement the SEEA and the Natural Disasters and Climate Change Survey Module, the workshop empowered them to produce high-quality statistics and indicators. This data will be instrumental in supporting evidence-based policymaking, resource allocation, and regional initiatives like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop fostered collaboration and experience sharing among Pacific Island countries, creating a foundation for a more coordinated approach to tackling climate change.