Compliance and Risk Management Frameworks Crucial for Solomon Islands’ Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Efforts

The Solomon Islands Government has identified the need for robust compliance and risk management frameworks to ensure effective response and adaptation measures in the face of climate change and disaster risks. A recent assessment, guided by the Pacific Climate Change Finance Assessment Framework, has highlighted seven key pillars essential for climate change and disaster risk finance management in Solomon Islands.

Key Pillars for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Finance Management

• Policies and Plans: Strengthening country systems will improve donor confidence and catalyze the achievement of sustainable development goals.
• Funding Sources: Solomon Islands requires up-scaled and targeted financial resources to effectively respond to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.
• Public Financial Management and Expenditure: Improving public financial management is crucial for effective coordination and budget planning prioritization.
• Institutions: Strengthening institutions will enhance the country’s capacity to manage climate finance and disaster risk.
• Human Capacity: Enhancing human capacity is essential for effective implementation of climate change and disaster risk finance strategies.
• Gender and Social Inclusion: Addressing gender and social inclusion issues will ensure that all stakeholders are involved in climate change and disaster risk management efforts.
• Development Effectiveness: Improving development effectiveness will ensure that climate financing is used efficiently and effectively to achieve sustainable development goals.

Recommendations for the Solomon Islands Government

The assessment has identified several recommendations for the Solomon Islands Government, including:

• Strengthening country systems
• Improving public financial management
• Enhancing human capacity

A draft Action Plan has been developed, outlining clear timeframes and suggested responsibilities for implementing each recommendation. This will assist the Solomon Islands Government in progressing these recommendations with the support of key partners.

Next Steps

The assessment’s findings and recommendations are expected to inform the development of a national climate change and disaster risk finance strategy, aimed at improving access to climate financing and achieving sustainable development goals. In light of new climate financing mechanisms being operationalized and international commitments to mobilize USD 100 billion annually in climate finance from 2020, this assessment is timely.

The report’s recommendations are expected to contribute to Solomon Islands’ efforts to meet these commitments and achieve its national priorities as outlined in the National Development Strategy 2016-2035.