Te vaka fenua o Tuvalu: National climate change policy 2021-2030

The islands of Tuvalu are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, some of which include rising sea levels, extreme weather events, king tides, inundation and coral bleaching. A participatory appraisal of 14 communities across nine islands of Tuvalu was conducted between 2017 and 2020 to identify vulnerabilities in human security and livelihood sectors. The Tuvalu Integrated Vulnerability Assessment found that the top vulnerability issues for the island communities are ecosystems health, security of place, water security, food security and income security.

This National Climate Change Policy 2020-2030, Te Vaka Fenua o Tuvalu, has been developed to respond to the needs of Tuvalu. The policy advances national priorities set out in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 Te Kete. The policy draws on evidence and findings from numerous assessments, including the review of the previous climate change policy and its strategic plan of action in 2016 and the nation-wide consultations on the initial framework for this policy in 2018. Island leaders and communities, including the Falekaupule, Kaupule, women, youth and people with disabilities, made valuable contributions and recommendations. This policy is an articulation of the voices, aspirations and actions of the people of Tuvalu.