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This paper provides a brief examination of capacity development needs for climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in small island developing states (SIDS). It is noted that this is a critical time for SIDS which must contend with ongoing developmental pressures in addition to growing pressures from risks associated with global environmental change and economic liberalisation that threaten their physical and economic security. Much depends in this context on the orientation of SIDS in global economic and political systems. Getting the policies right is proving to be very difficult as SIDS continue to be deficient in a critical mass of intellectual capital, policy coherence, financial resources and qualified personnel that are needed to develop and implement sustainable development policies and projects. In turn, this critically hampers the emergence of adequate systemic capacity. SIDS however have a history of changes at the global and regional levels which not only created constraints but can be seen as a source of new opportunities for building resilience to natural disasters. How effective this process transpires in the end will depend on how well lessons learnt from preceding years are taken on board and effectively acted upon.

Technical report

Te Kaniva (Tuvalu Climate Change Policy) prescribes the Government and the people of Tuvalu’s strategic polices for responding to climate change impacts and related disaster risks over the next 10 years (2012–2021). The Policy defines seven thematic goals, strategies and desired outcomes that the Government and the people of Tuvalu have prioritized for implementation to ensure that safety and resilience are achieved. The Policy is directly linked to the National Strategic Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (NSAP). In both the policy and NSAP, climate change refers to both adaptation and mitigation unless specifically differentiated. The Policy covers climate change impacts and related climate and hydrological hazards whereas the NSAP covers geological and anthropological hazards and related disasters.

Te Kaniva (Tuvalu Climate Change Policy) prescribes the Government and the people of Tuvalu’s strategic polices for responding to climate change impacts and related disaster risks over the next 10 years (2012–2021). The Policy defines seven thematic goals, strategies and desired outcomes that the Government and the people of Tuvalu have prioritized for implementation to ensure that safety and resilience are achieved. The Policy is directly linked to the National Strategic Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (NSAP). In both the policy and NSAP, climate change refers to both adaptation and mitigation unless specifically differentiated. The Policy covers climate change impacts and related climate and hydrological hazards whereas the NSAP covers geological and anthropological hazards and related disasters.

Climate change issues reach far beyond atmospheric and oceanic sciences, affecting every aspect of life on this planet. The issues are increasingly pivotal in determining future environmental and economic well?being. Variations of climate have profound effects on natural and managed systems; the economies of nations and the well-being of people everywhere” ? (UNFCCC Conference Statement?2nd world climate conference, 1990). In Solomon Islands lack of empirical data on the intimate evidences of climate change e and its implications on the islands’ inhabitants coupled with lack of technical and analytical capability has created gaps in the comprehensive understanding of climate change and sea level rise. Hence people have been ignorant of the adverse effects of climate change until recently (Hiriasia, 2007).