The Solomon Islands has signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC). This brings the total number of countries who have signed the PACC MoU to 10.
This enables the island nation to take their food security project to the next level in the Temotu Province. Swampy taro is the staple crop of the small atoll islands which are being affected by salt water intrusion as a result of climate change. Under the PACC, the Solomon Islands want to strengthen their food security, as an adaptation measure to cope with the impacts of climate change."We are looking at technical assistance to do a study that can provide us with a possible solution, perhaps saltwater tolerant crops? We are looking at those possibilities," said Mr Rence Sore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology of the Government of the Solomon Islands.
"This project is an excellent opportunity for the Solomon Islands to help face this century's greatest challenge, climate change," said Mr. Kosi Latu the Acting Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
"We'd like to congratulate the Solomon Islands on this move and the ball is now on their side of the court to run with. Hopefully, they should be able to expand this funding before the project timeframe expires."
The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC) will bring a total of US$13.125 million dollars into 13 Pacific Island countries. This funding will help start adaptation projects on the ground in three major climate change concerns; food security, water and coastal management.
"For some time we've had a number of assessments, studies and many different types of policy work to help plan for climate change adaptation. Now this project has come on board we'll be able to see some actual action, implementation of a project 'on the ground'. The Government of the Solomon Islands is very appreciative of this," said Sore.
The PACC is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as its implementing agency and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as implementing partner.