The Pacific Resilience Program Phase 2 (PREP II) comprises a series of projects aimed at enhancing the resilience of coastal infrastructure in the densely populated areas of the capital Majuro and the island of Ebeye.
National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
The Process of Self-Determination
Threatened by sea level rise and potentially facing the prospect of local or eventual international relocation, the process of developing a national plan for climate change adaptation commenced after the 2050 Climate Strategy for RMI was published in 2018. A year later, the RMI government began development of its NAP, with the objective of creating a document which would act as a guide to the nation’s approach to dealing with the medium and longer-term impacts of climate change on its atolls and islands.
Through a highly participatory process involving stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, technical specialists, international organizations, and most importantly, numerous community representatives, the NAP was finalised in November, 2023 in time for global release at COP28 in Dubai.
The NAP builds on existing initiatives and policies and identifies new and innovative approaches to adaptation, including investment in renewable energy, coastal management, and infrastructure development. It stands as a guide and reference point for current and future leaders tasked with steering the nation successfully along the climate change adaptation pathway.
Inclusivity in the NAP
As the generation most exposed to the longer-term implications of climate change, the youth of the RMI represent a significantly important stakeholder group in the development of the NAP. Equally important is the voice of those sometimes living at the margins of society – those with a disability and others who often do not get a voice in key issues.
Those involved in development of the NAP have a deep commitment to ensuring that the final document is inclusive of representation from all stakeholder groups. This means ensuring that groups well beyond just the major population areas of Majuro and Ebeye are included in the consultation process. Extensive engagement has occurred on numerous outer islands thanks in large part to the work undertaken by the United Nations International Organization on Migration (IOM) on behalf of the project.
Inclusiveness doesn’t stop there however, and once the NAP is completed, key elements of it will need to be absorbed and understood by the population. A robust plan for communications will be devised, aimed at ensuring that every Marshallese citizen has access to information which allows them to be well-informed of the content and implications of the NAP and the adaptation pathways that may be considered to secure the nation’s future.
RMI Takes Bold Steps to Secure its Future
The NAP will merge available science with traditional and local knowledge of the Marshallese people. At present, no definitive timeline has been established for the conclusion of the NAP as it is a dynamic and ongoing process that involves regular review and updates.
It is also important to note that the implementation of the NAP’s adaptation measures will likely take place over an extended period of time, as the RMI seeks to build its resilience to the impacts of climate change. The NAP will serve as a guiding document for the RMI’s efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, and it will be updated regularly to ensure that it remains relevant and effective in addressing the country’s evolving needs.
The NAP also recognizes the need for international support in implementing its adaptation measures, and emphasizes the importance of partnerships with development partners, regional organisations, and international financial institutions.