Tuvalu is on the extreme front lines of the global climate emergency. As per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) analysis, worst-case scenario sea level rise projections indicate nearly half of the land area of Funafuti will become routinely inundated during normal monthly high tides by 2050 – 2060. By 2100 less than 10 percent of land area will remain above the reach of annual high Spring tide events.
The Government of Tuvalu’s approach to coastal adaptation represents a paradigm shift in the region. Given that the option of retreating to higher ground is not possible, it is creating 7.3 hectares of new and raised land, which is designed to remain well above sea levels in 2100 and to withstand large storms under higher sea levels.
The design of this multimillion-dollar coastal adaptation infrastructure on the capital Fogafale (Funafuti Atoll) and outer rural islands of Nanumaga and Nanumea aims to secure communities from future marine hazards.
Building on UNDP's long-standing presence in Tuvalu, and from lessons learned from earlier work undertaken, UNDP's support to Tuvalu is aligned with the newly-formed government’s top priorities:
Combating Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels: UNDP's efforts focus on helping Tuvalu adapt to the long-term challenges of climate change and rising sea levels.
Mitigating King Tides and Coastal Damage: UNDP provides support for immediate and temporary measures to minimize the destructive impacts of king tides and storm surges on Tuvalu's coastlines.
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