A training programme to enhance climate resilience capacity through Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation in the Pacific region was delivered by the Pacific Climate Change Centre through its e-learning platform. 

This training programme was organised by the “Project for Capacity Building on Climate Resilience in the Pacific - CBCRP” in partnership with the Government of Samoa, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Programme, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

It was attended by 59 participants representing some 11 Pacific island countries.

During the self-learning modules, participants built their knowledge on climate risk, vulnerability of ecosystems, assessment methodologies. 

And also they learnt scaled up ecosystem-based approaches through case studies including the S.P.R.E.P. Pacific Ecosystems-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC) project and Ecosystem and Socio-Economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM).

According to the Manager of the Centre, Ofa Ma’asi-Kaisamy, Pacific islands are reliant on natural resources for maintaining economies, community livelihoods and socio-cultural values, and therefore Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation are particularly relevant to their communities and economies. 

“Maintaining values using ecosystem-based approaches and active engagement of stakeholders are key to enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of the outcomes of Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation projects and initiatives,” she said.

After self-learning, participants worked in groups to develop problem and objective trees and logical framework based on their learnings, which are key elements for formulating a climate change project.

A participant from from the Solomon Islands, Chris Teva said that the training topics were very interesting, simple and comprehensive.

“I now understand the basic concepts and examples of Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation, and their importance to the ecosystems and ecosystems services,” he added.

“The exercise to develop problem and objective trees and logical framework helps me to understand and see different constructive ideas and perspectives from other participants as well as understanding the various complexity of Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation.

“I now have a clear understanding and confidence with Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Mitigation application on ecosystem and ecosystem services implementation that takes into consideration various cross-cutting issues."