The Australian Government’s International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCAI) ($328.2 million, 2008-2013) is helping to address high priority adaptation needs in vulnerable countries, focusing on small island developing states and least developed countries.
The initiative’s efforts are concentrated on the Pacific but significant support is also provided for vulnerable countries in South and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.
The initiative has the following objectives:
- Establish a sound policy, scientific and analytical basis for Australia to help developing partner countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.
- Increase understanding in partner countries of the impacts of climate change on their natural and socioeconomic systems.
- Enhance capacity in partner countries to assess climate vulnerabilities and risks, formulate appropriate adaptation strategies and plans, and mainstream adaptation into decision making.
- Identify and help finance priority adaptation measures to increase the resilience of partner countries to the impacts of climate change
The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education manages the following programs under the initiative:
- Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program ($32 million, 2011-2013)
- East Timor Climate Change Science Program ($1.075 million, 2011-2013)
The above programs combine and build upon the initiative’s previous programs:
- Pacific Climate Change Science Program ($20 million, 2008-2011)
- Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program ($12 million, 2008-2011)
Other programs under the initiative are managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
The Australian Government’s work in the Pacific has been guided by the principles and strategies outlined in the 2009 report Engaging our Pacific Neighbours on Climate Change: Australia’s approach.