The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved four new climate adaptation projects that will help Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Tuvalu, and Vanuatu strengthen resilience against the growing impacts of climate change. The projects, developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), represent approximately US$14 million in GEF grant funding and are expected to leverage more than US$43 million in co-financing.
The newly approved initiatives will support communities, critical infrastructure, and ecosystems facing increasing threats from flooding, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. The funding will enable detailed project preparation, including technical studies, stakeholder consultations, and final project design before full GEF approval.
The approvals come as climate risks continue to intensify across the Pacific, where rising sea levels and stronger storms pose significant challenges to sustainable development. They also coincide with preparations for the 2026 Pre-COP and Leaders’ Event, which Fiji and Tuvalu will host later this year to highlight the region’s climate adaptation priorities.
In Fiji, the Climate Adaptation in the Rewa Delta (CARE) project will focus on improving flood resilience through climate-resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, enhanced water management, and stronger institutional capacity. The initiative aims to protect vulnerable communities while creating a model for climate adaptation in other river catchments.
The Federated States of Micronesia project will strengthen climate-informed early warning systems, improve emergency communications, and enhance disaster preparedness across vulnerable islands. The program is designed to provide communities with timely warnings and improve responses to climate-related hazards.
In Tuvalu, the Vaitupu Coastal Adaptation Project will address the impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and wave-driven flooding through a combination of nature-based and engineered coastal protection measures. The project will also restore coastal ecosystems and strengthen local planning for long-term resilience.
Vanuatu’s Sustainable Climate-Resilient Electric Power Systems (SCREPS) project will focus on protecting renewable energy infrastructure from cyclones, flooding, and other climate threats. By integrating climate risk into energy planning, the initiative aims to ensure the country’s transition to renewable energy remains resilient under changing climate conditions.
UNDP said the approvals reinforce its long-standing partnership with Pacific Island governments to expand access to international climate finance and strengthen adaptation planning. The projects also highlight the continued importance of dedicated climate adaptation funding in helping vulnerable island nations protect lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development while advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement.
