The Australian Government is deeply committed to taking real and significant climate action at home and in partnership with our region. This includes listening and responding to Pacific priorities, and amplifying Pacific global climate leadership. Our increased domestic effort, including our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 62 - 70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035, is matched by a suite of initiatives to help Pacific island countries in their domestic transition, build resilience to climate change, unlock targeted climate finance, and share innovations in climate adaptation.
As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia endorsed the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent as a framework to take a strategic and long term approach to Pacific regionalism, including on Climate Change and Disasters, on the Ocean and the Environment. In line with the Boe Declaration on Regional Security, we recognise that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific. We also recognise the inherent resilience andlived experience of Pacific peoples. We are working together to amplify the collective Pacific voice, including by bidding to host a Pacific COP31, and supporting the Pacific Political Climate Champions Program, and the Pacific Moana Pavilion at the annual United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) meeting.
Australia and Pacific island countries share an ocean and a future, as custodians of the vast Blue Pacific Continent. Australia is committed to promoting ocean health and resilience in the face of climate change, and addressing marine pollution and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
Australia is ensuring climate change is embedded across our development program in the Pacific. Climate change is central to Australia's International Development Policy and Humanitarian Policy and DFAT's Climate Change Action Strategy also commits to integrate climate change action across Australia's development assistance program globally. This includes in the infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, health and education sectors.
Australia is deploying high quality climate finance to meet the needs of our Pacific country partners and is responding flexibly by prioritising grant-based funding for adaptation projects. Australia has strengthened its climate finance commitment and is expected to deliver $3 billion towards the global goal between 2020-2025. Under Australia’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, we are contributing at least $350 million in climate infrastructure for the region.
This approach supports the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific, endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2016 as an integrated and coordinated approach to addressing climate change and disaster risk management in the Pacific.
Working with Pacific partner governments
Australia is working in consultation with partner governments in the Pacific to develop programs that address Pacific priorities. The Pacific country links below showcase some of the practical support Australia is providing through bilateral programs to strengthen resilience.
Regional Programs
Australia has listened to Pacific partners and are backing sizable and long-term Pacific solutions to a changing climate. Some examples are listed below:
Australian Humanitarian Partnership Disaster READY Program
$100 million, 2017-2027
Disaster Ready is a climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and resilience program, implemented through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership in Timor-Leste and four Pacific countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu). The program aims to strengthen disaster preparedness in cooperation with communities and local organisations and ensure women, youth, children, people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better prepared for and more resilient to disasters and climate change.
Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) is a Pacific-led, multi-country and multi-donor program that will support 14 Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to further develop disaster preparedness and resilience by building their national humanitarian warehousing and pre-positioning capability. The first warehouse developed under PHWP has been completed and handed over to the Government of Kiribati on 28 August 2025, along with 64 pallets of humanitarian emergency relief supplies critical in the first 48 hours of a disaster.
Pacific Resilience Facility
$100 million foundational contribution
As a Pacific-led, owned and managed financing facility, the Pacific Resilience Facility will provide grants for climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, nature-based solutions and projects which respond to loss and damage. It will meet identified climate finance gaps in the Pacific, particularly by providing a more sustainable funding source for smaller scale projects.
Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (Phase 3)
$30 million, 2023-2029
The Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac) strengthens Pacific climate and ocean resilience by equipping National Meteorological and Hydrological Services with the data, tools, and skills they need to deliver accurate forecasts and early warnings. Backed by over 30 years of Australian investment in sea level monitoring and real-time data, COSPPac enables communities and governments to make informed decisions that protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure. By integrating Traditional Knowledge with science and embedding gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles, COSPPac ensures climate and ocean services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant. Australia contributes AUD30 million and New Zealand contributes approximately AUD15 million to the program across 15 countries in the region.
Weather Ready Pacific
$30 million, 2023-2029
Endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2021, the Pacific-led Weather Ready Pacific Program is working towards all Pacific nations having access to localised, accurate and timely forecast and warning products to help communities plan for and respond to weather conditions. Weather Ready Pacific is achieving this by strengthening National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partnerships with National Disaster Management Organisations. Weather Ready Pacific will provide for a more resilient and prosperous region – protecting communities and livelihoods, and making a strong contribution to the economy.
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Core Funding
$24.7 million, 2025-2031
Australia’s core funding to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) helps enable its work with Pacific island countries to protect and improve their environment, and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations. SPREP is also the lead organisation to coordinate and build the capacity of Pacific engagement in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. Australia is working with New Zealand to fund the Pacific Moana Pavilion at UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP).
Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC)
$3.95 million, 2023-26
Australia funds the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner to support regional advocacy and coordination on ocean issues, including Pacific engagement in the third UN Ocean Conference (June, 2025) and the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty.
Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res)
$6 million, 2024-2026
The Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) which supports climate change action and the development of climate resilience through strengthening governance structures, enhancing capacity, supporting community-based initiatives, investing in climate-resilient interventions, promoting knowledge management, and fostering regional collaboration. Gov4Res supports Pacific island countries to effectively respond to climate change impacts and achieve sustainable and resilient development.
Climate Finance Access Network
$9.5 million, 2023-2026
The Climate Finance Access Network has embedded climate finance experts in Fiji, Kiribati, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu providing localised support and capacity building to help Pacific ministries plan and prepare for climate investment opportunities, structure finance, develop a pipeline of high-impact projects and support country-identified needs.
Pacific Blue Carbon Program
$7.5 million, 2018-2025
Mangroves are often described as the lungs of ocean. Protecting and restoring coastal blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses) limits additional emissions, protects existing stored carbon, and increases carbon sequestration. Through the Pacific Blue Carbon Program, Australia is supporting national climate action and livelihoods in PNG and Fiji through enhanced measurement and investment in blue carbon ecosystems, and supporting Indigenous engagement to draw on the knowledge and experience of First Nations peoples in managing these important environmental assets. The program also aims to demonstrate blue carbon financing and investment approaches through pilot projects, to explore nature financing approaches including carbon offsets and to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
ReefCloud
$6 million, 2023-2026
Partnering with AIMS, ReefCloud utilises artificial intelligence systems to allow local communities and Indigenous ranger groups to collect data on their reefs, upload them to cloud based systems and analyse them. Data will support governments to undertake management planning, including for high value ecosystems.
Kiwa Initiative
$6 million, 2020-2030
Australia contributes to the multi-donor Kiwa Initiative – Nature Based Solutions for Climate Resilience, which is led by the French Development Agency (AFD). This Initiative aims to strengthen resilience to climate change through biodiversity conservation for Pacific islands ecosystems, communities and economies.
Pacific Political Climate Champions
$2.7 million, 2023-2026
Australia is working with New Zealand to continue the Pacific Political Climate Champions Program which supports seven prominent Pacific figures, endorsed by Pacific Leaders, to champion key topics of importance to the region, particularly at UNFCCC COPs.
Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP)
$16 million, 2019-2027
Across multiple phases Australia is supporting SPREP to address marine plastic pollution in the Pacific through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project.
Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP)
$9.5 million, 2021 – 2025
The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP), jointly implemented by UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) aims to build and improve the financial preparedness and resilience of vulnerable and low-income Pacific populations against climate change and disasters. PICAP does this through developing, testing and scaling market-based climate parametric insurance and other disaster risk financial instruments. PICAP operates in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Kiribati.