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Background

Tuvalu is the third least-populated independent country in the world with a population of 12,400, and also one of the smallest members of the United Nations by population; only Vatican City and Nauru have fewer residents. The island's combined area is 10 square miles, (26 square kilometres) also making it the fourth smallest country in the world (preceeded only by Nauru, Monaco, and Vatican City). Tuvalu has no known mineral resources and is almost entirely dependent upon imported food and fuel, with subsistence farming and fishing comprising the primary economic activities. While tourism is a large part of many small island state economies, fewer than 1,000 tourists visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are generally scarce, and most unemployed workers are from the public sector.³

Tuvalu ratified the UNFCCC on October 26, 1993 and submitted its Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC on 30 October 1999. Tuvalu also ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 16 November 1998. Following the preparation of its INC and Phase II enabling activities, the country has initiated efforts to create an institutional set-up that seeks to mainstream climate change issues into the national legal frameworks. Moreover, its INC provides compelling evidence that, by global standards, Tuvalu is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise.⁴

As of 2007, over 3,000 Tuvaluans had already left their homeland; the largest exile community is in Auckland, New Zealand.⁵  Furthermore, Tuvalu has already contemplated the potential for evacuation of the country, and what this will mean for its national identity.⁶

Impacts and Threats

Impacts and threats of cliamte change on Tuvalu are contingent on current resource issues in the country. The following are some major resource issues around which the country will have to plan in order to adapt or mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Coastal erosion and infrastructure development:  an increase in population and the growth in demand for permanent housing and infrastructure has resulted in an increased demand for sand and gravel for building and construction purposes. The sourcing of aggregate from coastal environments, may increase the risk of coastal erosion, flooding and environmental damage in the future.⁷
• Housing, land availability and population growth: land availability has become a problem due to rapid increase in population.⁸
• Pollution from solid and liquid waste:  Poorly controlled waste disposal is still commonplace throughout Tuvalu. Inadequate disposal management methods associated with land-use is common on Funafuti. These practices are contributing to increased health risks and environmental degradation.⁹
• Marine resources:  The exploitation of marine resources is increasing due to population pressure. The country established the Funafuti conservation area in response to this growing pressure on marine resources.¹⁰
• Water supply: Water supply is fairly adequate except during dry spells. The well-being of the people in Tuvalu depends on a healthy and productive environment. While Tuvaluans are presently well adapted to the limited land resources and variable climate of their environment, population pressures may tip this balance¹¹

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

Despite emitting very few greenhouse gases, Tuvalu announced plans in July 2009 to become carbon neutral, fueling the economy entirely through renewable sources such as solar and wind power, by 2020. Thus far Tuvalu has installed a 40 kilowatt solar energy system with the help of two Japanese electric companies, both of which are members of the e8, an international non-profit organization of 10 leading power utilities from G8 countries. In conjunction with the Italian government, Tuvalu is working to expand the original $410,000 project from 40 to 60 kilowatts, and will extend solar power to outer islands, starting later this year with the commission of a $800,000, 46 kilowatt solar power system for a secondary school.¹²

Given the urgency for the need for adaptation to climate change in the Pacific island countries, a Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) has been developed to assist with the implementation of adaptation measures in 11 countries of the region. Tuvalu, as one of the countries, will participate in the PACC to implement adaptation measures to enhance its resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change in the longer term.¹³

Footnotes

1. CIA World Factbook

2. Crikey News. Kiribati and Tuvalu Climate Change Strategy - Total Evacuation, 27 July 2009. Retrieved on: 9 August 2009.

3. CIA World Factbook

4.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations

5. Spiegel Online International, "What will Become of Tuvalu's Climate Refugees?" 

6. Kiribati and Tuvalu climate change strategy: total evacuation , July 2009.

7. Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations  

8.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated. Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations 

9.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated.Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations 

10.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated.Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations 

11.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated.Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations 

12. MSNBC World News via The Associated Press, Tiny Tuvalu Aims to be Climate Neutral by 2020. Retrieved on: 14 August 2009.

13.  Pacific Regional Environmental Program. Undated.Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change: Report of in-Country Consultations