Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the Pacific: an institutional and policy analysis (2012)

This study provides an analysis of the current level of integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in the region, with an emphasis on the institutional and policy environment. The analysis presented includes seven Pacific island countries (Cook Islands, FSM, Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu). The study shows that despite the fact that there is typically a low level of integration at the operational level, countries are making efforts to develop Joint National Action Plans (JNAPs) for DRM and CCA, as well as move towards integrating their institutional platforms for DRR and CCA.
 
The report also outlines some of the challenges and barriers to integration, evolving good practice towards integration, and provides recommendations for regional and national stakeholders for further action. This report explores how and why the fields of DRR and CCA have development in parallel globally as well as in the Pacific, rather than being more integrated.
 
Despite the challenges, the rationale for integration remains clear:
- Easing the burden of programming assistance
- Minimising duplication and reducing potential conflicts in policy development
- Making efficient use of scarce resources
- The increasing recognition that, especially at the community level, there is little practical difference between DRR and CCA.

This study has been launched at a highly opportune time, as the Pacific region prepares to move towards an integrated strategy for disaster risk management and climate change post 2015.