The main purpose of Kiribati's National Disaster Risk Management Plan is to provide a framework for effective disaster planning and execution within a DRM structure, where the outcomes of planning are reflected in a sustainable development environment. The plan links together DRM, DRR, and climate change adaptation as part of what it envisions to be a holistic planning process, and explicitly recognizes climate change as a major factor in contributing to Kiribati's vulnerability to disasters. The principal function of the National Disaster Risk Management Plan is to define the phases of disaster risk management in Kiribati, which range from readiness to long-term recovery, as well as the roles and responsibilities of government agencies during each phase. It therefore defines general DRM responsibilities that apply to all government bodies, such as maintaining a log of disaster resources and conducting annual review of DRM arrangements, as well as specific responsibilities, such as requiring the Meteorological Office to monitor threats and advise the Office of Te Beretitenti accordingly.

The Kiribati Climate Change Policy is based on seven fundamental principles:&nbsp;</div><ol><li>Safeguarding communities and the country as a whole from the adverse impacts of climate change and disasters and ensuring a safe and resilient Kiribati with a healthy environment for all</li><li>Mainstreaming climate change and disaster risk reduction into development planning, policies, strategies, sector plans, and decision-making and budgeting processes at both national and local level</li><li>Emphasizing that adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management are shared responsibilities that require coordinated, integrated, multi-partner, multi-sectoral and whole-of-government or whole-of-island approaches</li><li>Strengthening key institutions and capacities as a basis for enhanced action and measures to ensure implementation is conducted in an efficient manner</li><li>Focusing on actions that will strengthen the long-term resilience of Kiribati communities through sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits that combine the use of modern technologies with the preservation of traditional knowledge</li><li>Ensuring that adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management are equitable, inclusive, gender-sensitive, community-driven and participatory, and reflect the commitments that Kiribati has agreed to under various multilateral frameworks</li><li>Strengthening and maintaining strategic partnerships both internally and externally</li></ol><div>It further establishes national priorities for climate change in ten specific sectors. Important objectives of the policy include integrated coastal zone management, natural resource management, food and water supply management, incentivizing renewable energy and energy efficiency, strengthening ecosystem conservation, improving public awareness of the health effects of climate change, implementing the government's national disaster risk management plan, and improving climate finance.

The KV20 is a long term development blueprint for Kiribati, covering the period 2016 to 2036. The vision of the KV20 is for Kiribati to become a wealthy, healthy and peaceful nation. It seeks to achieve the development aspiration by maximising the development benefits from fisheries and tourism as key productive sectors.&nbsp; The Vision recognises Kiribati’s vulnerability to climate change as a key constraint to achieving the desired outcomes. The Vision underscores the need to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into various programmes. The document further explores the construction of sea walls and sand-dredging techniques to protect and elevate islands.

Kiribati's Development Plan 2016-19 describes climate change as "the long term issue that threatens the sustainability of economic development in Kiribati" and includes climate change adaptation as one of the guiding principles of the plan. Strategies to improve climate change adaptation include increasing the number of government programs to assist with adaptation measures and planting mangrove forests to buffer against climate change impacts, such as coastal flooding and erosion.

Kiribati's Development Plan 2016-19 also addresses the impacts of climate change as a central feature of its infrastructure planning. Goal 6 states the the government aims to "improve access to quality climate change resilient infrastructure in urban and rural areas," including by adopting strategic coastal protection initiatives such as identifying vulnerable areas and introducing seawalls. The infrastructure component of Kiribati's Development Plan 2016-19 also emphasizes expanding the country's supply of renewable energy by, first and foremost, implementing the Kiribati Integrated Energy Roadmap, as well as improving the country's energy efficiency by developing minimum standards and energy labeling regulations.

&nbsp;The Kiribati joint Implementation Plan For Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2019-2028 aims to increase resilience through sustainable climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.The KJIP formalises the role of the Kiribati National Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management ( to become the main advisory body and coordination mechanism as well as the entry point for climate change and disaster risk management initiatives. The 2014-2023 document aims at identifying an integrated set of specific actions and measures to increase the country's resilience to climate change and associated risks in different sectors. It is designed to complement the National Disaster Risk Management Plan and the National Framework for Climate Change and Climate Change Adaptation. By identifying tangible, on-the-ground actions for resilience and measures that enable the Government to facilitate these, the plan will guide the implementation of these complementary policies in an integrated approach.&nbsp; The government hopes that such a systematic approach will maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of existing capacities and resources as well as ensuring the success of new initiatives. The specific goals of the policy are: 1) strengthening good governance, policies, strategies and legislation, 2) improving knowledge and information generation, management and sharing, 3) strengthening and greening the private sector, including small-scale business, 4) increasing water and food security with integrated and sector-specific approaches and promoting healthy and resilient ecosystems, 5) strengthening health service delivery to address climate change impacts, 6) promoting sound and reliable infrastructure development and land management, 7) delivering appropriate education, training and awareness programs, 8) increasing effectiveness and efficiency of early warnings and disaster and emergency management, 9) promoting the use of sustainable, renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency, 10) strengthening capacity to access finance, monitor expenditures and maintain strong partnerships, 11) maintaining the existing sovereignty and unique identity of Kiribati, and 12) enhancing the participation and resilience of vulnerable groups. The document further examines administrative and governance factors, as well as financial resources needed for implementing such an approach.&nbsp;

Kiribati's National Disaster Act creates a government obligation to undertake measures to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In order to accomplish this, the law establishes the country's National Disaster Council, as well as several other government offices, which are responsible for disaster risk management in the country.

Kiribati Enhanced NDC, Nationally Determined Contribution from Kiribati in 2023

Kiribati First NDC, Nationally Determined Contribution from Kiribati in 2016

Kiribati. National Communication (NC). NC 2., National Communication from Kiribati in 2013

Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy

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The core vision of the integrated environment policy (KIEP) is that "the people of Kiribati continue to enjoy a safe and healthy environment that is resilient to the impacts of global climate change and supports livelihoods, human health and sustainable development'. KIEP is intented to serve as the framework document through which, activities carried out under the Environment KPA will be guided. It does not replace the existing thematic area plans and action strategies but rather provides an integrated framework for their effective implementation. The KIEP will be tied into the term of the Kiribati Development Plan and seeks to strengthen the environment pillar and in that way effectively contributes towards the sustainable development of the Republic of Kiribati. It will follow the KDP's monitoring and review cycle.

The document lists a number of policy goals and objectives, including with regard to climate change. These are 1) to improve knowledge, information and national adaptive capacity for responding and adapting to climate change, 2) to build on existing adaptation measures and continue with implementation of concrete and practical adaptation measures aimed at protecting and sustaining environment services, 3) to implement mitigation measures and strengthen synergies between climate change mitigation and environment sustainability, 4) to facilitate long term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through coherent climate change programs undertaken at national level through MELAD.

Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy

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