Climate change and disaster impacts

Australia has elevated its partnership with Tuvalu through the Falepili Union; recognising in a legally-binding treaty Tuvalu's continuing statehood and sovereignty notwithstanding the impacts of climate change related sea-level rise. Australia is committed to working in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu to meet the aspirations of its people, safeguard its future and build resilience in the face of climate change and disaster events.

Tuvalu is a group of 9 islands and atolls which sit less than five metres above sea level. It is  the world's second lowest-lying country and highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Tuvalu is susceptible to a range of challenges  exacerbated by climate change,including more severe and longer-lasting droughts and heat waves, coastal erosion, increased acidity of ocean waters, sea level rise, wind-driven waves and king tides.

• As climate change impacts intensify, Tuvalu will require international support to implement coastal adaptation planning  to  protect the lives, livelihoods and culture of Tuvaluans. Australia is partnering with Tuvalu, to advance planning and increase  finance and investment options for its adaptation priorities .
• Australia is working with the Government of Tuvalu through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to ensure that critical connectivity infrastructure is climate change and disaster resilient.  Australia  works closely with Tuvalu's National Disaster Management Office and supports a Disaster Risk Management and Response Coordinator position through the Australia Assists Program.

Bilateral programs

• Australia is integrating climate change resilience and adaptation measures across all new development investments in Tuvalu. Key investments are focused on coastal adaptation and improving Tuvalu's access to international climate finance.
• Australia has committed more than $38 million to the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP). TCAP is expanding the availability of safe land through reclamation work. It will assist in addressing issues of overcrowding, limited space for key infrastructure and will protect the lives, livelihoods and culture of Tuvaluans in the face of climate change.
• Australia is supporting the Government of Tuvalu to undertake significant economic reforms in fiscal sustainability and public financial management. The reforms aim to improve the transparency and accountability of government services, improve access to climate finance and strengthen economic resilience against climate shocks.

Regional programs

Tuvalu benefits from a range of regional and globally funded climate change investments working directly to build climate change and disaster resilience in Tuvalu and across the region, including:

• The Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) (Australian contribution $30 million, 2023-29) supports the Tuvalu Meteorological Service to provide climate and ocean monitoring and prediction services. Climate predictions help farmers plan for planting and harvesting, and to prepare for disasters like droughts and tropical cyclones. Ocean predictions (tide, currents, wind and waves) support fishing, tourism and shipping.
• The Pacific Women Lead ($96.4 million 2021- 2026) is supporting Tuvaluan women's leadership in climate action and disaster resilience, through women's rights, safety, and economic empowerment.
• The Climate Finance Access Network ($9.5 million, 2023-26) is supporting climate finance experts in Tuvalu to provide localised support and capacity building to assist plan and preparation for climate investment opportunities, structure finance, develop a pipeline of high-impact projects and support country-identified needs.