Country

Palau

Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting Palau.

Adaptation

Palau’s climate change strategy and key interventions are set out in its 2015 Climate Change policy. Currently, there are several projects being implemented on priority areas of adaptation including agriculture, water and tourism. Various organizations are involved in the delivery and implementation of these projects, including the Global Environment Facility, Special Climate Change Fund, Asian Development Bank and the Japanese and US governments (IISD, 2011). As of 2018 Palau had only made its First National Communication to the UNFCCC, released in 2002. Palau’s NDC (2015) does not address adaptation.

 

Adaptation Options for Key Sectors

  • Research into optimal conditions for crop and tree cultivation and work to enable informed decision making on species selection.
  • Development and distribution of salt and drought-tolerant species.
  • Introduction of advanced cultivation practices and irrigation infrastructure.
  • Improve conservation in water use and soil management.
  • Capacity building with subsistence farmers to enable livelihood diversification
  • Improve management of water supply systems.
  • Centralize water management and treatment in urban areas.
  • Implement water catchment management and water conservation initiatives.
  • Consolidate drought and flood preparedness interventions and plans.
  • Enhanced conservation of coral reefs and mangrove systems providing coastal protection.
  • Vegetation and restoration in foreshore habitats.
  • Localized construction of sea walls.
  • Developing and extending programmes aimed at marine restocking of both coral resources and fish populations.
  • Stronger monitoring and enforcement of marine policy and legislation including on the exploitation of migratory fish species.

Gaps and Needs

  • Research is needed to improve the consistency and accuracy of downscaled climate models to generate future scenarios useful for decision making.
  • Research is required to better understand processes of land erosion, formation, and permanent inundation and further implications of sea-level rise in Palau.
  • Further research is needed on Palau's marine and terrestrial ecosystems' resilience to climate change and disasters.
  • Research and development into salt and drought tolerant crops and varieties.
  • Key knowledge gaps identified in Palau’s 2015 Climate Change policy include risks and vulnerabilities to climate change as well as mechanisms and strategies to manage risks.
  • As of 2018, Palau had not communicated with the UNFCCC since its first submission in 2002. Its NDC also lacked an adaptation overview.
  • Engagement with communities on resilience, capacity, and knowledge building is identified as a governance gap in Palau’s 2015 Climate Change policy.
  • Lack of a central focal point for climate change and disaster risk reduction action. This has led to challenges in keeping key stakeholders engaged.
  • Limited resources in institutions including human, technical and financial are a major challenge holding back capacity in sector and location specific risk management.