Climate change and disaster impacts 

Australia is committed to working in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu to meet the needs and aspirations of its people to build resilience to climate change and disaster events. 

Tuvalu's island group sits less than five metres above sea level, making it the world's second lowest-lying country and highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Tuvalu is susceptible to a range of challenges that will be exacerbated by climate change, such as more severe and longer-lasting droughts and heat waves, coastal erosion, increased acidity of ocean waters, sea level rise, wind-driven waves and king tides.

• As climate change impacts intensify, Tuvalu will need international support to implement its Long-Term Adaption Plan to help protect the lives, livelihoods and culture of Tuvaluans. Australia is partnering with Tuvalu, under the UN Secretary General's Adaptation Pipeline Accelerator (APA) initiative, to advance the Long-Term Adaptation Plan. The APA initiative aims to pioneer a new collaborative model for accelerating investment for adaptation in developing countries at pace and at scale.
• Australia is working with the Government of Tuvalu through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to ensure that critical infrastructure is climate resilient.  Australia also works closely with Tuvalu's National Disaster Management Office and has supported a Disaster Risk Management and Response Coordinator position through the Australia Assists Program.

Bilateral programs 

Australia integrates climate and disaster resilience through its bilateral development assistance to Tuvalu across all areas of programming including in the infrastructure, education, and governance sectors. Climate action is a central focus of Australia's development partnership with Tuvalu with key investments provided for drought resilience and climate change adaptation.

• During the bipartisan visit to Funafuti between 8-9 May 2024, Foreign Minister Wong announced $19.1 million in additional support to extend the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP). This builds on Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment of $16.9 million for TCAP at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting in November 2023, taking Australia’s total contribution to TCAP to $38 million. TCAP will help address issues of overcrowding and limited space for key infrastructure. This safe land is critical to protect the lives, livelihoods and culture of Tuvaluans in the face of climate change.
• Australia has provided $825,000 in drought support to Tuvalu, which included delivery of mobile desalination consumables and equipment for water purification and storage. It also included support to UNICEF to deliver water and sanitation (WASH) activities through a local provider, Live and Learn.
• With Australia's support the Government of Tuvalu is undertaking significant economic reforms in fiscal sustainability and public financial management. These reforms aim to improve the transparency and accountability of government services and are a step toward strengthening economic resilience against climate shocks. 
   

Regional programs 

Tuvalu benefits from a range of regional and globally funded climate change investments working directly to build climate change and disaster resilience in Tuvalu and across the region, including: 

• The Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) (Australian contribution $30 million, 2023-29) supports the Tuvalu Meteorological Service to provide climate and ocean monitoring and prediction services. Climate predictions help farmers plan for planting and harvesting, and to prepare for disasters like droughts and tropical cyclones. Ocean predictions (tide, currents, wind and waves) support fishing, tourism and shipping.
• The Pacific Women Lead ($96.4 million 2021- 2026) is supporting Tuvaluan women's leadership in climate action and disaster resilience, through women's rights, safety, and economic empowerment.