Policy Updates

On November 19, 2024, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced a contribution of AUD50 million (US$33 million) to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage for countries affected by climate change.

Bowen noted that support for Pacific Island countries was a priority given the existential threat the countries face from climate change. Other donors contributing to the fund included Germany, Canada, the US, the UK, and the UAE.

The announcement was made alongside the Austrailian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.

On November 16, 2024, the Australian government announced a partnership with Pacific nations to scale up energy grid transition, and improve energy security with a AUD125 million (US$82 million) investment in renewable energy at COP29..

Australia announced an AUD75 million (US$50 million) investment through the REnew Pacific program to help deliver community scale renewable energy and off-grid power to rural and remote areas in the Pacific.

A further AUD50 million (US$32 million) was pledged through the APPET in order to provide technical assistance which included feasibility studies, energy modeling, and grid studies.

Funding for APPET was being made available by repurposing funds previously allocated to the IPCOS by the former Australian Government.

On November 15, 2024, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy announced that Australia would fund a new climate program to combine ODA with private capital to accelerate climate action at COP29.

Conroy noted that this would boost climate-focused efforts by businesses in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.

The AUD126 million (US$83 million) package would assist de-risking climate solutions to attract investors from the private sector.

Equity, loans, and guarantees would be used, and funds recovered will be reinvested. The package would also provide technical assistance in project analysis and impact measurement.

On November 8, 2024, Austrailian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has announced AUD10 million (US$7 million) in financing for an Innovative Indo-Pacific NGO Accelerator.

The funds would be provided to assist NGOs in increasing the scale of their initiatives to promote climate resilience and gender equality. It would have a particular focus on the Pacific.

Wong noted that NGOs have been leaders in areas such as micro-finance, impact investment, and impact bonds. Wong said the Accelerator would assist NGOs in expanding their impact by overcoming structural barriers.

Australia has taken an increasing role in assisting blended finance activities since 2022.

On October, 24, 2024, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy has announced AUD12 million (US$8 million) for research to assist African countries address food insecurity and adapt to climate change.

The new initiative is called the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture.

The ACIAR would deliver this assistance through bilateral projects over 6 years. This would be undertaken in partnership with local research organizations. It would also enable ACIAR to broaden its focus to north and western Africa.

On October 9, 2024, Australia announced that it is providing AUD9 million (US$6 million) to the Regional Pacific NDC Hub.

Led by Pacific countries, the Hub provides expertise and resources that Pacific nations require to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement. Through the Hub, the 14 Pacific Island countries can access support for low-emission development, emissions reporting and investment planning. The Hub has been in operation since 2017.

The funds will be provided to the South Pacific Community through an agreement with the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

On September 5, 2024, Australian and Japanese officials met in Victoria to strengthen their Special Strategic Partnership at the 11th Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations.

Foreign affairs and defense ministers committed to reinforce collaboration through ASEAN. This would support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Australia will support the Asia Zero Emission Center which aims to increase the uptake of clean energy in the region. The two countries committed to improve the undersea cable infrastructure in the Pacific. They will also support pilot projects in the Pacific to improve cyber resilience.

On August 30, 2024, the 53^rd Pacific Islands Forum leader's meeting, held in Tonga, announced that the PRF would have its headquarters in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.

The PRF is a disaster and climate resilience financing entity owned and led by Pacific countries and plans to commence business in 2026.

Australia has contributed AUD100 million (US$67 million) and is the main donor so far to the facility, which has raised US$137 million. Saudi Arabia, the US, China, and Japan have also committed funds.
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On August 27, 2024, Australia committed US$100 million to a Pacific Resilience Fund, which has a goal of raising a total of US$500 million by 2026.

Australian Minister for International Development and Pacific Pat Conroy stated that the UN should encourage contributions to the resilience fund by other countries, as only US$116 million has been pledged so far.

A report by the World Meteorological Organization in Tonga released on August 27, 2024, demonstrated that sea level rises are accelerating. Apia, Samoa’s capital, recorded a rise of 31 centimeters over 30 years and was projected to increase by a further 23 centimeters by 2050. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Pacific islands were uniquely exposed, with an average elevation of just one to two meters above sea level. Half of the infrastructure in these countries is within 500 meters of the sea.

Australian sea level rises were much lower, with Sydney’s sea level rising by 9 centimeters in the 30 years leading up to 2020.

On August 26, 2024, the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University announced its 2024 Australasian Aid Conference, to be held from December 3 to 5, 2024, at the Crawford School of Public Policy in Canberra, focusing on a range of sectors and aims to support development within the research community and promoting collaboration.

The conference is Australia’s largest annual meeting on international development and normally attracts some 600 participants, including researchers from the Pacific, Asia, and Australia.

The Development Policy Centre also planned to host a 2024 Pacific Migration Workshop on September 3, 2024. The workshop will focus on climate resilience and mobility, as well as the economic dimensions and social implications of migration.

Submissions are open until August 30, 2024, to propose possible panel events and papers.