Climate change adaptation and resilience

PROJECT | 2019-2024

Insights into Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning of Community Resilience

Exploring monitoring, evaluation and learning of community resilience in the Pacific using ISF’s Community Resilience Framework.

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PROJECT | 2023-2024

Future proofing a basic social service: climate-resilient community-based rural water supply

This project aims to provide innovative tools, capacity, and policy recommendations to improve the climate resilience and inclusiveness of rural water systems in Indonesia, including their related water resources.

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PROJECT | 2022-2023

Pacific Resilience Insight Briefs

The Australia Pacific Climate Partnership supports the integration of climate and disaster resilience across Australia’s aid program in the Pacific. The organisation seeks to capture the knowledge, lessons, and insights, related to climate and disaster resilience integration across development investments in the last five years, for future directions to strengthen ongoing climate and disaster integration in the aid program.

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PROJECT | 2023

The Economics of Acting Early

Pacific Island countries are amongst the most vulnerable and exposed countries to climate change and disasters. Pacific nations frequently experience economic losses from extreme events, with average annual losses ranging from 1 to 10 per cent of their GDPs. Understanding the economics of climate change and disasters is important as it can provide an evidence base to design climate action and disaster resilience policies and support sustainable economic development and growth in the Pacific. This research aims to generate Pacific-focused economic evidence through critical economic studies and cost-benefit analyses. As part of the research, UTS-ISF is leading ActionAid Vanuatu’s “Women’s Weather Watch” case study and working in partnership with ActionAid (Vanuatu and Australia). The case study explores the benefits of inclusive anticipatory actions and tries to quantify economic benefits of acting early (e.g. economic and non-economic loss and damage minimised at local level), as well as documenting the social changes such as women’s empowerment and local leadership from an economic perspective.  The findings from the research will provide the Pacific policymakers and DFAT with a basis for informed decisions to invest in early actions to address climate change and disaster events.

Client: Palladium - Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Support Unit

Location: Pacific region

Researchers: Anna Gero, Tazrina Chowdhury,  Federico Davila

PROJECT | 2022-2024

Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Services (Phase 2)

The Australia Pacific Climate Partnership supports the integration of climate and disaster resilience across Australia’s aid program in the Pacific. The organisation has developed a Phase 2 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan which outlines a comprehensive approach to monitoring progress, evaluating impact and reporting and learning from experience. The Climate Partnership is partnering with UTS-ISF to ensure for effective and efficient implementation of the Climate Partnership MEL plan. The researchers from UTS-ISF will lead a suit of specific activities including outcome harvesting exercises, participatory workshops, learning and reflection sessions, case studies and reports, which will generate learnings to improve program performance, contribution, and impact.

Client: Palladium - Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Support Unit

Location: Pacific region

Researchers: Anna Gero, Tazrina Chowdhury,  Keren Winterford, Jessie Meaney-Davis, Tamara Megaw

PROJECT | 2022-2023

Anticipatory action in the Pacific Islands

Anticipatory action can help reduce food insecurity, save lives, and protect natural and physical assets. Anticipatory action refers to actions triggered before a crisis in order to mitigate the worst effects of the crisis, or even avoid it altogether. It is a rapidly growing concept used in humanitarian aid, climate change and disaster, and climate finance. Anticipatory actions need to be time bound, protect people and resources, and use pre-agreed triggers and data systems. All of this needs to happen within a coordinated multi-stakeholder environment where roles and responsibilities are clearly agreed on before disasters strike.

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PROJECT | 2022-2023

Australian Council for International Development Climate Action Framework

This project supports operationalisation of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Climate Action Framework and explores enablers of best practice of climate action integration in NGO programs. ACFID plays important roles in advocating to the Australian government on aid funding and allocations, including on climate change. Since climate change is an urgent issue requiring a response within all sectors and all scales across the globe, ACFID introduced Climate Action Framework to support Australian international development NGOs increase their engagement and action in climate change.

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PROJECT | 2022

Gender and social inclusion in disaster risk reduction in the Pacific

This research focuses on the intersect between gender and social inclusion and disaster risk reduction in the Pacific. As a contribution to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Midterm Review in the Pacific, this research captures the pathway for community resilience that promotes and integrates gender and social inclusion (GESI). Examples of best practice of GESI integration in the Pacific are showcased in the report, along with common themes, gaps and priority areas for future efforts to reach the expected outcomes and goals of the Sendai Framework.

PROJECT | 2022

Institutional barriers to climate finance through a gendered lens

This project aimed to understand the decision-making processes underlying climate finance allocations in the Pacific to ensure that future climate adaptation investments are equitable, effective and more gender sensitive. The research examined the types of adaptation projects that get funded, the main recipients and sources of climate finance, and investigated if locally-led and gender equitable processes are related and are being supported by existing climate finance streams.

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PROJECT | 2022

Integrating climate change into the Australian Volunteers Program

Climate change is recognised as an urgent issue requiring a response within all sectors and all scales across the globe. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)’s Climate Change Action Strategy highlights the need to integrate climate change across the government’s development assistance program. Efforts are therefore being made to ensure climate and other risks inform development progress of DFAT funded programs.

ISF has substantive demonstrated expertise and experience relevant to the Australian Volunteers Program’s efforts to integrate climate change considerations into its internal operations and programming. Having recently completed the Deep Dive Evaluation focused on climate change, disaster resilience and food security in the Pacific, ISF was well-placed to lead subsequent activities for the Australian Volunteers Program that support better integration of climate change.

This project supported the Australian Volunteers Program to more effectively integrate climate change across the organisation and its activities.

Client: Australian Volunteers Program

Funded by: Australian Volunteers Program

Partner: Australian Volunteers Program

Researchers: Anna Gero,  Tazrina Chowdhury,  Keren Winterford

PROJECT | 2021-2022

‘Outcome Harvesting’ evaluation of the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership

ISF and partners have developed a means to better assess Australian aid for climate change and disaster resilience in the Pacific.

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PROJECT | 2021-2022

Supporting the Australian civil society sector to more effectively integrate climate change in their Pacific programming

This research aimed to better understand the system and current practice of climate change and disaster resilience integration of CSOs working in the Pacific, and the needs of CSOs for more effective integration in the future.

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PROJECT | 2022-2025

Pacific health and sanitation solutions

This project aims to support improved access to safe, climate-resilient water and sanitation services in vulnerable and remote Pacific Island communities in Kiribati and Solomon Islands.

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PROJECT | 2021-2023

Climate resilient urban sanitation

Equipping the urban sanitation sector with tools and knowledge for building climate resilience

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PROJECT | 2018-2021

Climate change response for inclusive WASH

Supports civil society organisations to assess climate change impacts to improve the service, gender and social inclusion outcomes of WASH programs.

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PROJECT | 2018

Gender transformative climate change action in the Pacific

The research supported Plan International Australia in defining what gender transformative climate change action (GTCCA) looks like, as a means to inform future gender transformative climate change programming. New ways of working to adapt to climate change were developed including meaningful participation of, and benefits for, marginalised segments of society, including women, children, people of diverse gender and sexual identities, disabled people and indigenous people.

The research employed a strengths-based approach to reveal positive practice and opportunity for future improvements. The approach was designed to motivate gender transformative practice and climate change action by offering space for reflection on past experiences, identifying success stories and their enablers, and revealing preferred future actions.

Location: Fiji, Solomon Islands

Client: Plan International Australia

Researchers: Keren Winterford,  Tamara Megaw,  Joanne Chong,  Anna Gero

PROJECT | 2016-2018

Humanitarian response and development in urban contexts

This research contributed to the goal of improving humanitarian response in urban contexts through research for the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The aim of the research was to learn from Fiji’s Western Division experience of integrating development planning and risk response following the response to Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji in 2016. Lessons were generated for sub-national and national governments of Fiji, governments and donors in the Pacific region and also beyond.

Location: Fiji

Client: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Researchers: Keren Winterford, Anna Gero, Caitlin Leahy

PROJECT | 2020-2021

Urban sanitation climate resilience in Indonesia

UNICEF has commissioned UTS-ISF and Universitas Indonesia to carry out a study in four cities to examine how climate change is likely to affect urban sanitation services. This study explores how communities, sanitation service providers and government agencies can be better prepared to respond and adapt. The research will produce a synthesis of learnings and recommendations, city case study reports, short briefs and academic journal articles.

Location: Indonesia

Client: UNICEF

Partner: Universitas Indonesia

Researchers: Jeremy Kohlitz, Freya Mills, Juliet Willetts

PROJECT | 2020

Mid-term review of the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance

The Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) was established in 2013 as a means to engage directly with Pacific countries to improve resilience and create ‘excellence in emergency management for safer Pacific communities’. The initiative is supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments and is managed by the The Pacific Community (SPC) and involves 14 member countries in the Pacific.

In 2020, UTS-ISF was asked by SPC to conduct a review of the PIEMA project at its half-way point. To deliver a holistic review of the project, IDF researchers combined their expertise with that of colleagues from the UTS World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre and UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance.

The findings from our review aim to inform decision-makers from SPC, the Australian and New Zealand governments and the 14 member countries with an overall independent assessment of the project's performance, while identifying key lessons and practical recommendations for follow-up actions that will improve the project's second half.

Location: Pacific region

Client: The Pacific Community (SPC)

Partners: UTS World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre (WHO CC), UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG)

Researchers: Keren Winterford, Anna Gero

PROJECT | 2019-2020

Climate-resilient sanitation safety planning

UTS-ISF was commissioned to update World Health Organization (WHO) guidance material on sanitation safety planning with increased consideration of climate change.

UTS-ISF also provided support to WHO Nepal in their implementation of climate-resilient sanitation safety planning, as part of a wider program on climate resilience in WASH funded by the Department for International Development (UK). 

Location: Nepal

Clients: DFID, World Health Organization

Wider program: Climate Resilience WASH

Researchers: Jeremy Kohlitz, Juliet Willetts, Freya Mills

PROJECT | 2019

Climate change and urban sanitation: conceptual approaches and practical application

New lines of thinking are needed to ensure urban sanitation services are sustained equitably against climate change.

UTS-ISF and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation's research and learning partnership examined how climate change impacts urban sanitation, drawing on analyses in five countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Tanzania and Zambia.

Location: Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Zambia, Tanzania

Client: SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Researchers: Freya Mills, Jeremy Kohlitz, Juliet Willetts, Naomi Carrard

PROJECT | 2019

Responding for Impact: lessons and learning from the Australian humanitarian sector

UTS-ISF supported the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)'s Humanitarian Reference Group in designing and hosting a 'Responding for Impact' seminar at the Australian National University in Canberra in July 2019. Knowledge contribution to the wider humanitarian sector is a core function of the AHP, and the Responding for Impact seminar was built around the findings and recommendations of three evaluations of AHP humanitarian responses.

Attended by more than 60 participants from non-government organisations, government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Defence Force, GeoScience Australia) and academia, valuable insights, lessons and recommendations were made around the seminar focus areas of localisation, social inclusion and accountability to beneficiaries.

Location: Australia, Asia, Pacific

Clients: Australia Humanitarian Partnership Support Unit, Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)

PROJECT | 2018-2022

Inclusive, climate-responsive rural sanitation

UTS-ISF is the research and learning partner for SNV Netherlands Development Organisation’s 'Beyond the Finish Line' program (2018–2022), which is part of DFAT’s Water for Women Fund.

Beyond the Finish Line seeks to achieve equitable and universal access to safely managed sanitation and hygiene in seven districts in Bhutan and Laos, and to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of rural water supply services in two districts in Nepal.

In Bhutan, UTS-ISF and SNV are engaging local government on the human right to sanitation and developing strategies to strengthen women’s leadership in WASH. In Laos, our partnership supports integration of climate resilience principles in rural sanitation programs in flood-prone areas.

Location: Bhutan, Laos, Nepal

Client: SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

PROJECT | 2018-2021

Climate-sensitive sanitation and water supply services

UTS-ISF is the research and learning partner for SNV Netherlands Development Organisation's 'Beyond the Finish Line' program (2018-2022), which is part of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Water for Women Fund.

Beyond the Finish Line seeks to achieve equitable and universal access to safely-managed sanitation and hygiene in seven districts across Bhutan and Lao PDR, and to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of rural water supply services in two districts in Nepal.

Climate change threatens the sustainability and equity outcomes of rural WASH programs. Much progress has been made in increasing improved water coverage in rural Nepal and basic sanitation coverage in rural Laos, but climate change can reverse hard-won gains. As focus is directed toward ensuring that everyone, including disadvantaged groups, can access safe WASH in these locations, this research examines how action can be taken to ensure climate change impacts are accounted for.

Location: Laos PDR, Nepal

Client: SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Wider program: Water for Women Fund

Researchers: Jeremy Kohlitz, Anna Gero, Naomi Carrard, Tim Foster, Juliet Willetts

PROJECT | 2016-2020

Responding to climate change to sustain community-managed water services in Vanuatu

Clear conceptualisation of the different ways that community-managed water services are affected by and sustained against climate change is needed to inform appropriate adaptation interventions. This research project examined the impacts of climate change on two communities in rural Vanuatu using risk-hazard, vulnerability, and social-ecological system resilience perspectives, and developed a conceptual framework to facilitate interdisciplinary research on climate change impacts on community-managed water services.

Location: Vanuatu

Researchers: Jeremy Kohlitz, Juliet Willetts, Naomi Carrard, Joanne Chong, Tim Foster

PROJECT | 2016-2019

Handbook for engaging communities and government in biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation in Papua New Guinea

The Pacific American Climate Fund, UTS-ISF and the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre worked together to enhance the capacity of local communities and government to support biodiversity and adapt to a changing climate in Papua New Guinea.

UTS-ISF conducted a series of training workshops focused on identifying locally important 'ecosystem services' – the benefits people obtain from nature, such as food and water, that are critical for supporting human life – and how these services may be affected by climate change and development. The workshops aimed to identify locally important ecosystem services and how they may be affected by climate change and development.

From this, UTS-ISF developed a handbook to assist local facilitators to work with communities in Papua New Guinea to identify climate change adaptation strategies.

Location: Papua New Guinea

Clients: US AID, Pacific American Climate Fund

PROJECT | 2016

Climate change and disaster risk reduction research

UTS-ISF was commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to analyse the implications of climate change and disaster risk for MFAT’s development programming.

Our research explored how MFAT should implement targeted and mainstream approaches to strengthening resilience through the New Zealand Aid Programme, and identified investment areas and opportunities that were likely to produce the best benefit to development programming. In this way, our findings informed MFAT’s development policy, strategy and programming on climate change and resilience.

Location: New Zealand, Pacific

Client: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

PROJECT | 2016

Learning event for DFAT’s Community Based Climate Change Action Grants

UTS-ISF co-designed and facilitated a learning event for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Community Based Climate Change Action Grants roundtable. The grants were part of a $30-million initiative for NGOs to support community-based adaptation and mitigation activities in developing countries. NGOs from countries throughout the Asia-Pacific participated in the learning event. 

Location: Australia, Asia, Pacific

Client: With Griffin NRM for DFAT

PROJECT | 2015-2017

Facilitators guide to supporting community adaptation to water shortages in Kiribati

In the water-scarce Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, water supplies are increasingly affected by saltwater intrusion due to high tides, sea level rise and increasingly frequent storms and tropical cyclones. UTS-ISF developed a handbook to assist Kiribati's local facilitators to work with communities to identify climate change adaptation strategies.

Location: Kiribati

Client: USAID

Partners: Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN), Pacific American Climate Fund (PACAM)

Researchers: Pierre Mukheibir, Louise Boronyak, Rebecca Cunningham

PROJECT | 2014-2016

Development of Joint State Action Plans for the Federated States of Micronesia

This work involved supporting the four state governments of the Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap) to develop joint state action plans for climate change and disaster risk management in 2014–2016.

UTS-ISF devised and facilitated a consultation process with multiple stakeholders across government, the private sector and civil society, then drafted the action plans in partnership with government and the Secretariat for the Pacific Community. The action plans built on existing resources, capacity and knowledge in the community while also addressing vulnerability and risk.

Location: Pacific

Client: Secretariat for the Pacific Community (SPC)

PROJECT | 2014

Evaluation of Child-Centred Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific

UTS-ISF delivered an independent evaluation of the first phase of the AusAID-funded Child Centered Climate Change Adaptation program, which engaged children and communities in Fiji, Tonga and Kiribati in linking climate change adaptation activities to broader advocacy and practice change in local communities and beyond.

Key findings were presented to Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific International and Plan International Australia, describing both the project's successes and areas where it failed to reach its full potential. Recommendations to improve shortcomings were also provided.

Location: Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati

Clients: Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), Plan International Australia

PROJECT | 2014

Evaluation of Pacific Australia Climate Change Science Adaptation Planning Program

UTS-ISF conducted an independent evaluation of the Pacific Australia Climate Change Science Adaptation Planning Program (PACCSAP), an initiative of the Australian Government aimed at developing the capacity of Pacific Island countries to manage future climate risk.

The evaluation sought feedback from program's adaptation planning and communication stakeholders to improve understanding of the program's adaptation interventions in the Pacific. Stakeholders were asked to identify successful parts of the program and contribute perspectives to inform future planning.

Location: Pacific

Client: Australian Government – Department of the Environment

PROJECT | 2013

Disaster Related Human Mobility within Relevant Pacific Regional Laws, Policies and Frameworks

For this project, UTS-ISF analysed the degree to which disaster-related human mobility, migration and displacement issues are included in Pacific regional policies and frameworks. Results from interviews with key experts in Pacific mobility, migration and displacement were presented to the Nansen Initiative to form part of their Working Paper Series on climate change, disaster and human mobility. 

Location: Pacific

Client: Nansen Initiative

PROJECT | 2013

Joint National Action Plan for climate change adaptation and disaster management: Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands commissioned UTS-ISF to complete the development of a Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change which was initially drafted in 2011. In order to complete the action plan, the RMI Government required external technical assistance.

UTS-ISF was commissioned to assist the Applied Geoscience Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC/SOPAC) to complete the draft action plan. UTS-ISF conducted reviews of relevant literature, consulted with SOPAC and other relevant organisations, facilitated meetings and interviews, provided technical advice and undertook in-country work, including the design and facilitation of a national stakeholder’s workshop.

Outcomes included the development and refinement of a three-year action plan for the Pacific Island Country of the Marshall Islands in the area of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

Location: Marshall Islands

Client: Applied Geoscience Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC/SOPAC)

PROJECT | 2012

Climate change adaptation in the Philippines: children and their communities

UTS-ISF was the research partner for Plan International Australia and Save the Children’s community-based adaptation grant in the Philippines.

In this role, UTS-ISF researchers developed a framework of local-level climate change adaptation indicators based on the perspective of local children and communities.

Location: Philippines

Client: Plan International Australia

PROJECT | 2011-2013

Understanding the Pacific’s adaptive capacity to emergencies in the context of climate change

Disasters, and therefore disaster response, in the Pacific are expected to be affected by climate change. This research focused on the immediate humanitarian needs following a disaster, drawing upon adaptive capacity as a concept to assess the resilience of individual organisations and the robustness of the broader system of disaster response. UTS-ISF partnered with WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health at UTS to conduct this research which explored the immediate needs in the health sector following disasters in the Pacific.

This project has had considerable impact amongst health professionals working in the Pacific Islands. The research findings support decision making within the health sector, guiding stakeholders and providing empirical evidence to support disaster preparedness, planning and response.

Location: Pacific

Client: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF)

Wider program: UTS World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre (WHO CC)

Researchers: Juliet Willetts,  Anna Gero,  Natasha Kuruppu

PROJECT | 2011-2012

Australia Indonesia Partnership Climate Change and Environment Sector Strategy and Adaptation program design: methods of monitoring and evaluation in Indonesia

UTS-ISF researchers provided strategic advice on theories of change and new and innovative approaches to monitoring and evaluation for AusAID’s climate change and environment strategy to 2016 and its country/sectoral design (CCA) program in Indonesia. Our research aimed to inform CCA aligned with AusAID's frameworks, and develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for initiatives funded in 2011–2013.

UTS-ISF advisers facilitated in-country processes working from a draft theory of change, with a view to reduce complexity and determine the key change pathways and inter-relationships between different aspects of the program. UTS-ISF advisers documented the theory of change in graphical format and provided narrative explanation based on partners’ descriptions of their strategies and expected outcomes.

Location: Indonesia

Client: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

PROJECT | 2011-2012

Community based climate change adaptation in the Pacific and Southeast Asia

Plan International Australia, a child-centred non-government organisation (NGO), engaged UTS-ISF to assist in the development of their Pacific program for community-based climate change adaptation. In partnership with Pacific regional NGO the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), Plan International Australia developed programs in five Pacific Island Countries.

UTS-ISF provided technical assistance with the design of a climate change adaptation program in the Philippines.

Location: Pacific

Client: Plan International Australia

Partner: Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI)

PROJECT | 2010-2011

Climate adaptation through sustainable urban development: Can Tho, Vietnam

As a contribution to the CSIRO/AusAID Research for Development Alliance case study, UTS-ISF researchers sought to discover feasible strategies or options for a sustainable water system for Can Tho City in Vietnam. The research aimed to address challenges to a water system posed by high rates of urbanisation, population increase and looming climate change.

Location: Vietnam

Client: CSIRO

Wider program: AusAid Research for Development Alliance

Researchers: Naomi Carrard, Juliet Willetts

PROJECT

Pacific Australia Climate Change Science Adaptation Planning Program (PACCSAP) Evaluation

Independent review of PACCSAP stakeholder feedback, an initiative of the Australian Government aimed at developing the capacity of Pacific Island Countries to manage future climate risk.

Location: Pacific

Client: Palladium – Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Support Unit