Vanuatu s Revised and Enhanced 1st Nationally Determined Contribution reflecting highest-level ambitions on adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this policy is 10 years covering the period from 2021 to 2030. The overall purpose of this policy is GHG emissions reductions.
This updated and enhanced NDC contains 20 mitigation commitments, 116 adaptation commitments, 12 loss and damage commitments and is based on the ambitions, policies and workplans of Vanuatu's frontline sector agencies. Renewable energy capacity will be enhanced and fossil fuels will be replaced with coconut oil and the use of biofuel will be promoted. The transition to renewable energy in the electricity generation sector will be ensured. Energy efficiency will be improved in land and marine transport sector as well as in commercial and residential sectors. Ecotourism will be encouraged and supported by local communities. The net GHG emissions will be reduced in the livestock sector by increasing capacities for livestock farming and pasture management, converting pastures to silvo-pastural livestock systems, and improving livestock efficiency. Forest management and conservation will be strengthened to maintain its forest cover and to remain net carbon negative in future. The REDD+ programme will continue to be implemented in Vanuatu to improve sustainable forest management practices. Sustainable logging practices will continue to be practiced in Vanuatu for commercial logging. The emissions will be reduced in the waste sector through waste-to-energy programs; composition of organic waste; collection, sorting and export of recyclable materials; and development of a national plastic strategy. Wastewater management collection and treatment system will be improved.
Climate variability, climate change and disaster risk reduction using adaptation and mitigation strategies will be mainstreamed in all agriculture initiatives and developments. Climate and disaster preparedness plans will be developed for the productive sector. Measures will be implemented for enhancing the resilience of subsistence agriculture. Traditional agricultural practices will be enhanced, focusing on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The access to appropriate technology, knowledge and skills in food production will be improved and trainings covering food preservation and storage will be carried out. Subsidies will be provided for small-scale primary producers and access of farmers and enterprises to agricultural and climate financing will be increased. Climate-smart management practices will be upgraded in the fruit and vegetable sector. The use of improved genetic varieties of fruits and vegetables suited for climate extreme conditions will be encouraged. Community-based fisheries management and climate adaptation will be strengthened, including preserving traditional resource management and fishing practices, and integrated coastal management plans will be developed and implemented. The access to appropriate adaptation technology, knowledge and skills in fisheries food production will be improved. The state of coastal fisheries will be regularly monitored and evaluated, including to develop and implement procedures for climate change monitoring and impact assessment protocols.
Forestry-related climate change adaptation demonstration projects will be developed, including concerns for food security, soil stabilisation, water management, and coastal erosion. Climate change-resilient tree species and varieties will be introduced and promoted. Food security will be enhanced through agroforestry systems. Ground cover initiatives will be undertaken to prevent soil and coastal erosion. The impacts of climate change on forest systems will be systematically assessed and continuously monitored. Buffer zones will be established around climate sensitive ecosystems, and enrichment planting will be undertaken within these areas. Sustainable management and conservation of mangrove forests and mangrove ecosystems, wetlands, and shoreline trees will be ensured, especially as a measure to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change. Sustainable forest management concepts will be applied to reduce forest degradation and thus GHG emissions and to maintain healthy forest ecosystems to enhance resilience against the negative impacts of climate change. Good balance between livestock farming and effective environmental management will be maintained, including keeping farmers well informed about climate risk measures. Vanuatu commits to ensuring that all people have reliable access to safe drinking water. Climate risk management will be strengthened through mapping water resources and storage will be increased, giving priority to rain/ground water for drinking and surface water for agriculture and industry. Climate preparedness, response and recovery will be improved for the water sector: building on local knowledge to improve the protection of water supplies, strengthen response through improved data management and sharing knowledge to build back better after climate loss and damage events. Climate-vulnerable watersheds, catchments and freshwater resources will be protected, including community water sources. The negative impacts on the environment will be minimized through proposed adaptation and risk reduction activities. National Disaster Prevention and Response Plans in relation to risk management will be implemented in marine and coastal areas, accompanied by protection programmes for communities settled in high-risk areas on the coasts. Increasing climate risk of the whole marine area will be managed through the incorporation of appropriate adaptation and resilience-building strategies into sustainable development, conservation and governance actions at all levels. Gender responsiveness of climate change and disaster institutions and decision-making processes will be strengthened. Vanuatu s international and regional commitments to gender equality, human rights and climate change will be implemented.