Vanuatu has reaffirmed its global leadership in climate action as the first country to launch a technical assistance programme under the Santiago Network for Loss & Damage.
This historical achievement was announced by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), according to a statement from the Department of Climate Change (DoCC) and the National Advisory Board (NAB) on Climate Change.
“Vanuatu will benefit from US$330,000 from the new Santiago Network to design a loss and damage country programme as a first step towards getting money directly into the hands of people who are suffering climate harm and communities taking action to address the unavoidable and irreversible impacts on agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity infrastructure, water supply, tourism, and other critical livelihood activities. With such a L&D programme,” the statement relayed.
“Vanuatu aims to be first in line to receive a large grant from the new UN Fund for responding to Loss and Damage holding US$700 million which has yet to be utilised.
“Loss and damage is a consequence of the worsening climate impacts being felt across Vanuatu’s islands and driven by increases in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) concentrations which are caused primarily by fossil fuels and industry. Vanuatu is not responsible for climate change and has contributed less than 0.0016 percent of global historical greenhouse gas emissions.
“Vanuatu’s climate vulnerability is one of the highest in the world. Despite best efforts by domestic communities, civil society, the private sector and government, Vanuatu’s climate vulnerability stems from insufficient global mitigation efforts, its direct exposure to a range of climate and non-climate risks, as well as inadequate levels of action and support for adaptation provided to Vanuatu as an unfulfilled obligation of rich developed countries under the UN Climate Treaty.”
The Santiago Network was recently set up under the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss and damage (WIM) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) to catalyse technical assistance to avert, minimise and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change at the local, national and regional level. The technical assistance is intended for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The statement mentioned that because Vanuatu’s negotiators were instrumental in the establishment of the Santiago Network, the DoCC has worked quickly to ensure direct benefits begin to flow to communities who are suffering climate loss and damage now.
“Now that an official call for proposals to support Vanuatu has been published on the Santiago Network website (www.santiago-network.org) there is an opportunity for Vanuatu’s local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), private sector, academic institutions, community associations, churches and even individuals to put in a bid to respond to the request,” the statement continued.
“The only requirement for local entities to submit a bid is to become a member of the Santiago Network, with membership open to a huge range of Organisations, Bodies, Networks and Experts (OBNEs).
“Specifically defined, organisations are independent legal entities. Bodies are groups that are not necessarily independent legal entities. Networks ate interconnected groups of organisations or individuals that collaborate, share resources, or coordinate activities to achieve common goals.
“These networks can vary in structure, purpose, and scope but do not necessarily have legally established arrangements such as consortiums. Experts – individuals who are recognised specialists in a specific field.”
According to the statement, to become a member, a potential OBNE has to fill in a simple form outlining their expertise, experience and commitment to the principles of the Santiago Network.
“The membership submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, and once approved, OBNEs can make a formal bid to develop Vanuatu’s Loss & Damage programme for the UN Fund for responding to L&D,” the joint DoCC and NAB statement conveyed.
“Vanuatu’s Ministry of Climate Change prefers that Pacific based OBNEs apply to provide this TA because they have deep cultural understanding and strong community ties, enabling them to design and implement context-specific, culturally appropriate solutions. Additionally, local and regional OBNEs have been shown to invest in strengthening national skills and knowledge, leaving behind lasting capacities that contribute to long-term resilience, and build strong local ownership and sustainability.”
The deadline for OBNEs to submit their bids is 05 January 2025.
There will be an open and transparent selection process taken by the UN to determine the best service provider to help Vanuatu and its people most effectively address growing climate losses and damages.
In addition to Vanuatu’s historic engagement with the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, Vanuatu will also hold a Board seat on the new Fund for Responding to L&D, as well as leading climate loss and damage initiatives at the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, advocating for a new Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, developing a national Loss & Damage Policy Framework, undertaking community-led Loss & Damage Policy Labs and establishing a national Climate Change Fund to provide loss and damage finance to vulnerable people across the country..
