The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) has secured a landmark investment to strengthen climate resilience, protect water security, and restore critical ecosystems across its atolls. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of RMI, in partnership with the UN Development Programme, obtained approval from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) to implement the “Blue-Green Atolls: Addressing Land Degradation, Groundwater Salinization & Coastal Erosion in RMI via Climate Resilient Strategies” project. This initiative was endorsed during the recent biannual GEF Council Meeting, reflecting a broader global push to move from climate pledges to tangible adaptation actions for the world’s most vulnerable nations.
The project focuses on innovative, ecosystem-based interventions that enhance the islands’ natural defenses against climate impacts. Measures include groundwater aquifer recharge, permeable salinity barriers, and swales to protect and restore soils and coastal buffers. By rehabilitating saline-tolerant vegetation and upgrading water infrastructure, the initiative aims to reduce climate vulnerability while promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Complementary efforts in climate-smart agriculture and support for local green enterprises will also strengthen livelihoods and community resilience.
The Blue-Green Atolls Project emphasizes community-driven, participatory governance, promoting inclusive decision-making and advancing women’s leadership in water and land stewardship. By building local operational capacity, the project ensures that resilience gains are sustainable and embedded within communities. The project aligns with ongoing efforts under the Green Climate Fund’s ACWA project, addressing remaining gaps in RMI’s water and ecosystem sustainability.
As the project enters its preparation phase, technical assessments, stakeholder engagement, and mobilization of additional public and private financing will be conducted. Once operational, the initiative is expected to deliver long-term benefits for atoll water systems, ecosystems, and community resilience, positioning the Marshall Islands as a global model for integrated climate adaptation strategies.
