Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the first-ever Climate Security Risk Assessment for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Highlighting the growing climate-related security concerns in the region, the report explores climate-change-induced risks to the livelihoods and human mobility, as well as Government’s coping capacity and the territorial integrity of RMI. 

Clarence Samuel, Climate Change Directorate Director, said: “The impacts of climate change on the security of our nation are manifold and require our undivided attention and concerted effort. NDMO is grateful for the collaboration between IOM and UNDP in producing this comprehensive risk assessment which will go a long way in informing our policies and strategic actions and ensuring we safeguard our nation and its people against the ever-evolving impacts of climate change.”

Conducted through a partnership between IOM, UNDP, Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Adelphi and the Government of RMI, the assessment will support the implementation of the 2018 Boe Declaration Action Plan, which recognizes climate change as “the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific.”

Salvatore Sortino, IOM Micronesia Chief of Mission pointed out that the impact of climate change in small island states in the Pacific can be detrimental to social cohesion in many ways. 

“It is imperative to understand and investigate the relations between various drivers of instability. We also need to support governments and communities in identifying and deploying strategies to manage such risks,” he said. 

Underscoring the significance of the report, Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Pacific Office in the Federated States of Micronesia, said the findings will serve as a guiding compass for shaping policies. 

"Understanding the vulnerabilities and potential impacts is essential, and it can help establish the foundation for informed decision-making to effectively tackle the challenges presented by climate change in the Republic of the Marshall Islands,” he said. 

The security assessment showcases that RMI is projected to experience a prominent sea level rise of 13cm and a 1.3 ºC increase in air temperature by 2030. Such predictions come with multiple consequences, including more frequent and/or more intense typhoons, coastal floods and droughts. 

For low-lying island nations like RMI, these shifts in climate and sudden onset disasters greatly threaten infrastructure and livelihoods, as well as food and water sources. Given the far-reaching implications on societal, economic and political stability these influences also pose unique challenges to Government and traditional leaderships. Furthermore, the assessment points to the adverse impacts of climate change on migration, which can lead to increased displacements and security risks if human mobility is not properly managed.

To counter climate security risks, the report recommends various actions to improve land, water and food security, mitigating risks and promoting positive adaptation strategies. It also emphasizes the urgency to strengthen preparedness and response coordination. 

Additionally, the findings solicit more endeavours to ensure the inclusivity of women, children, disabled persons and other persons in vulnerable situations in all climate adaptation strategies to respond to the unique needs of various community groups.

The Climate Security Assessment was conducted under the regional Climate Security in the Pacific Project, a regional initiative covering RMI, Tuvalu and Kiribati and implemented jointly by IOM and UNDP through the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

For more information, please contact: 

Haimanot Abebe | IOM Micronesia: haabebe@iom.int | +691 320 8735 

Leandra Flor | UNDP Pacific Office in the FSM | leandra.flor@undp.org | +691 320 4456.