United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_ The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Stimson Center, based in the US, have embarked on a novel phase of their pioneering initiative, which seeks to determine climate vulnerability and hazards in coastal communities with the utilization of a novel rapid assessment protocol. Originally launched in Sri Lanka, Barbados, and Kiribati, this endeavor is now being expanded to two other Commonwealth countries, namely Dominica and Mauritius, in line with the commitments made by all 56 member states under the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
Adding to the triumph of the previous phase, this undertaking receives support from the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), where the Commonwealth Secretariat is an Institutional Partner, and is facilitated by financial backing from the Government of Canada via the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change. This renewed endorsement highlights ORRAA’s global resolve to address risks linked to oceans and bolster resilience in vulnerable coastal areas. The principal goal of the revised Phase 2 lies in augmenting decision-making processes and promoting investments attuned to climate-smart principles by providing comprehensive information on the financial, political, and ecological hazards linked to climate change in small island countries and coastal metropolises.
Heidi Prislan, the Blue Charter Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, expresses optimism over the project. She stated, “As we embark on phase two of the Rapid Assessment Protocol, the Secretariat is deeply motivated to build upon the insights gained from the first phase. We are dedicated to empowering Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by establishing the necessary foundations and frameworks to effectively combat the multifaceted impacts of climate change. This program exemplifies our resolve to safeguard our vulnerable coastal communities and create a sustainable and resilient future for all.”
The goal of this partnership is to empower participating countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis to adeptly evaluate and tackle their immediate and long-term vulnerabilities. By means of targeted actions and strategic investments, these nations can formulate contextually appropriate solutions to address their challenges. While a comprehensive assessment of ocean and climate risks, utilizing the Stimson Center’s Coastal Resilience Vulnerability Index (CORVI) framework, traditionally necessitates 12 to 18 months, the rapid assessment process aims to accelerate the delivery of preliminary risk profiles within a mere six months.
These initial results can then be refined through dedicated projects and initiatives, including conducting a comprehensive CORVI assessment, thereby facilitating a more nuanced comprehension of climate risks. Officials in Dominica and Mauritius are deeply involved in this rapid assessment process and will be able to leverage the results to decide the subsequent measures required to upgrade climate-smart policies and fortify resilience in their coastal communities, while also considering other concurrent efforts undertaken in their respective countries.
The sustained collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Stimson Center, and ORRAA constitutes a notable stride toward addressing the urgent climate challenges confronted by coastal communities in Commonwealth member nations. This endeavor encompasses a range of action areas identified under the Commonwealth Blue Charter, which is a collaborative pact among 56 nations to collectively protect the ocean and sustainably manage marine resources. Using the efficacy of this rapid assessment protocol, the project endeavors to build upon the achievements and insights gained from the initial phase, fostering informed decision-making and targeted interventions that will further amplify resilience and secure a sustainable future for nations vulnerable to climate impacts.
