Pacific Island Countries to benefit from Australian Assistance in Long-Range Climate Prediction

28 March 2007

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) will benefit from an Australian Government funded initiative to improve long-range climate predictions. The three year A$3 million Pacific Island Climate Predictions Project (PI-CPP) builds on previous Australian assistance to Pacific National Meteorological Services in providing seasonal forecasts for local conditions.

Meteorological services are now moving beyond interpreting weather information to producing climate related information applicable to users' needs. Improved weather predictions will allow water resource management agencies and health authorities to prepare for the months ahead using probability-based forecasts.

Long-range climate prediction will also assist the agricultural, fishing and tourism industries in planning and can help Pacific island countries to prepare for the potential impact of climate change.

The project will assist ten (10) Pacific Islands countries including: Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The project will be managed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Using purpose-built software, the Bureau will work with National Meteorological Services to provide more accurate climate prediction information.

In Fiji, Australia is also funding a climate vulnerability and adaptation project, (A$400,000 over three years). The project started in August 2006 and is implemented by the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development and the Institute of Applied Science at the University of the South Pacific. Under this project climate adaptation measures are being implemented in six rural communities in Macuata, Nadroga, Tailevu, and Gau.

The adaptation measures will address coastal erosion, inundation and water shortage problems. The project is also raising awareness about climate change and building local capacity for assessing its impact.


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