International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative


Image courtesy of the Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

The Australian Government invested $150 million over three years (2008–09 to 2010–11) through its aid program to meet high-priority climate change adaptation needs in vulnerable countries in our region. The 2010–11 Budget extended funding by $178.2 million for an additional two years to continue programs in the Asia-Pacific region to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. Australia will also extend assistance to vulnerable nations in the Caribbean and Africa.

Assistance provided through the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative helps countries to:

  • establish a sound policy, scientific and analytical basis for long-term Australian action 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 partner country capacity to assess key climate vulnerabilities and risks, formulate appropriate adaptation strategies and plans, and mainstream adaptation into decision making, and
  • identify and help finance priority adaptation measures to increase the resilience of partner countries to the impacts of climate change

The International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative is jointly managed by the department and AusAID. 

Under the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, the department manages:

  • $12 million Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program, and
  • $20 million Pacific Climate Change Science Program.

Both programs are due for completion in 2012. The work achieved under these programs will be built on by the $32 million Pacific Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program (2011 to 2013).

The department’s work in the Pacific has been guided by a publication released by the Australian Government in 2009 titled Engaging our Pacific Neighbours on Climate Change: Australia’s approach.