PM Wale calls for accessible, predictable and grant-based climate finance to help Pacific states respond to climate impacts.

By: Steven Kamoa

Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale is calling for changes to the international climate finance system, saying vulnerable Pacific island states need more accessible, predictable and grant-based funding to respond to climate impacts.

Speaking at a climate-focused event in New York, Wale said Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries had contributed relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions but were facing significant impacts from climate change.

“Solomon Islands, as well as Marshalls and Fiji, Tuvalu, up in Papua New Guinea, and many other Pacific island states, did not cause this crisis,” Wale said.

He said rising sea levels, king tides and saltwater intrusion were affecting homes and freshwater supplies in his electorate, while cyclones, droughts and extreme rainfall were placing additional pressure on essential services and development.

Wale said Solomon Islands contributes less than 0.015 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and remains committed to low-emission and climate-resilient development.

He outlined national targets for reducing emissions by 8 per cent through existing measures, 17 per cent with additional measures and up to 34 per cent through removals, afforestation and reforestation.

On adaptation, Wale outlined measures including relocating communities at risk, strengthening early-warning systems, developing resilient water systems and infrastructure, and investing in climate-smart food systems, fisheries and marine ecosystems.

A central part of his message was the need to change how climate finance is provided to vulnerable countries.

Wale said adaptation and loss and damage finance should be provided through grants rather than loans, arguing that additional borrowing could increase debt pressures for countries already dealing with climate-related impacts.

“Adaptation and loss and damage finance must be grant-based,” Wale said.

He also called for climate finance to be delivered through national government systems rather than relying heavily on project-by-project arrangements.

“The time for promise is over,” Wale said, while calling for the capitalisation of the Pacific Resilience Facility and for international climate commitments to result in funding reaching communities.

His comments come as Solomon Islands continues to advocate for greater access to climate and development finance, including stronger recognition of the particular vulnerabilities and high development costs faced by Small Island Developing States. Wale has also raised these issues with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York.