LocationsLeveraging the ClimateScanner Methodology: Enhancing Policy and Climate Action for Pacific and Caribbean SIDS
August 26, 2024
Participants during the ClimateScanner workshop in Nadi, Fiji.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and in the Caribbean stand to significantly benefit from the ClimateScanner methodology. This innovative approach offers comprehensive data and analysis frameworks to enhance climate resilience and sustainable development.
The ClimateScanner methodology offers detailed insights into climate risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for both mitigation and adaptation, which are crucial for states across the globe. These insights are especially crucial for SIDS, given their heightened susceptibility to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.
For Pacific and Caribbean SIDS, the ClimateScanner methodology facilitates access to real-time data and predictive models, enabling informed decision-making on climate action. The valuable data generated, can guide the development of national policies and strategies, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation, and resilience planning, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. Additionally, the methodology can facilitate better resource allocation by identifying high-priority areas and effective interventions.
The collaborative nature of ClimateScanner methodology also supports regional cooperation and knowledge sharing among SIDS, enhancing their collective capacity to address climate challenges. By participating, these SIDS can attract international funding and technical support, as the methodology’s transparent and standardized data builds confidence and support with potential partners.
Overall, ClimateScanner empowers Pacific and Caribbean SIDS with the necessary tools and information to safeguard their environments, economies, and communities from climate change impacts.
The workshop allowed me to share insights based on my experiences in the Pacific and exchange knowledge which was mutually beneficial for the auditors.
I was fortunate to engage as a climate governance, climate adaptation, mitigation, and public policies expert during the ClimateScanner training workshop held in Nadi from 24 to 28 July in Nadi, Fiji.
It was an honour to open the workshop with presentations covering assessment components, and as well provide participants with key concepts and real-life examples of governmental mechanisms for addressing climate-related challenges. I conducted my sessions in the form of Talanoa - fostering an open and interactive environment for knowledge exchange.
During the workshop, I provided insights based on my experiences in the Pacific and the exchange of knowledge was mutually beneficial for auditors and how they can act on climate-related issues.
Additionally, my participation helped address knowledge gaps between the two Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI’s) represented, Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (CAROSAI). As I engaged with the participants on these two axes, I believe that it was an enriching experience for all involved, learning greatly from one another.
For the development world, the ClimateScanner methodology offers a game-changing advantage- especially for those in the climate change sector, revolutionizing how projects and programs are designed and executed. The methodology not only refines the development of climate resilience and adaptation strategies but also identifies critical intervention areas, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.
By leveraging detailed climate data and advanced predictive models, ClimateScanner enables development partners to make informed, data-driven decisions, unearthing the creativity and innovation needed to systematically intervene for example at the sectoral levels. It also fosters regional collaboration and knowledge sharing, enhancing the effectiveness of development efforts. With its robust, transparent framework, ClimateScanner is key to driving impactful climate action across Pacific Island nations.
Dashiell Velasque Da Costa engaging with the participants.
According to Dashiell Velasque Da Costa, ClimateScanner Project Coordinator, this year will see simultaneous assessments conducted in over 100 countries around the world using the ClimateScanner methodology.
The results will be consolidated into a global panorama and presented at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Permanent Secretary for Fiji's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (furthest left), Dr Sivendra Michael with the Brazil ClimateScanner team. Dr Michael also presented as an expert on Climate Finance.
The global overview is expected to offer valuable insights and diagnosis of the main strengths and challenges faced by governments in addressing climate issues especially in climate governance, finance and public policies for mitigation and adaptation.
About ClimateScanner
ClimateScanner is a global initiative led by the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in which Supreme Audit Institutions worldwide join efforts to assess government action related to climate change.
The main strategy for training auditors in the ClimateScanner methodology is a package of six regional in-person workshops. These 5-day face-to-face courses focused on presenting the assessment components, carrying out practical exercises for better comprehension of the methodology, training in the use of the web application for data input by auditors, and discussing assessment criteria in order to achieve balanced assessments across different Supreme Audit Institutions.
The agenda for each workshop is structured so that the first and last days cover general topics. The three middle days are dedicated to specific axes: governance, public policies, and finance.