National Adaptation Programmes of Action.

This National Adaptation Programmes of Action is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The overall goal of the NAPA is to identify priority activities addressing the urgent and immediate needs and concerns of Solomon Islands, relating to adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change in areas such as agriculture, food security, water resources, water supply, health, energy, mining, education, training, public awareness and information, waste management, tourism, environment, forestry, mining, infrastructure development, trade and industry, fisheries and marine resources and human settlements.
Food security will be ensured with a twin-track approach for food availability and access to food in the long-run as well as in case of emergencies. The use of traditional food preservation methods will be encouraged. Food crops will be diversified with the introduction of new crops and diversification of local crops. Furthermore facilities will be built for storing fish products.
A “no regrets” adaptation measures will be adopted for better management of natural resources and sustainable development. Forestry conservation will be ensured through expansion of afforestation areas and replantation of coastal and terrestrial plants and mangroves. Moreover measures will be taken against deforestation in the coastal areas and river banks and forestry activities will be monitored effectively.
Measures will be taken to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. Capacity building will be enhanced through training materials on food processing to add value to the crops. Soil analysis will be carried out to determine toxic substances and thereby to ensure soil conservation for more agricultural productivity. Water systems and water harvesting structures will be established for effective irrigation. Furthermore water sector planning and management will be developed to ensure water supply especially in rural areas. Awareness will be raised on water use efficiency and water conservation. Water quality will be improved through water treatment technology as well as continuous monitoring and assessment. Waste management will be strengthened in an environmentally sustainable manner through waste audit, waste segregation and waste recycling. Fisheries management and conservation will be developed through improved weather monitoring, information and communication system. Fish and marine species will be monitored and a national marine database will be established according to the collected data. Sustainable fishing techniques will be promoted at the community, provincial and national levels.
Health sector will be developed with a multi-hazard approach to improve health status of all with a special emphasis on vulnerable communities and to prevent disease outbreaks during and after disasters. Health awareness will be raised on malnutrition and related diseases. In order to support food stability, strategies will be strengthened to identify salt tolerant, water tolerant and drought tolerant crops as well as crops tolerant to rising temperatures. The resilience of forests to climate change will be increased by planting most appropriate tree species, reducing deforestation and establishing buffer zones and wind breakers. Early warning systems will be established in line with the local and traditional knowledge on climate change indicators. Institutional and individual capacity building on climate change adaptation and mitigation will be enhanced through early warning communication equipment. Disaster prevention and management will be improved through emergency plans, health care planning and precautionary strategies in all sectors.
The Climate Change Division under the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology shall be responsible for (i) providing overall coordination of all climate change-related activities with the line ministries, (ii) facilitating, coordinating and implementing climate change enabling activities, and (iii) establishing a framework for integrating climate change considerations into national development planning and relevant sectoral policies.