Recipient countries

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a low-lying small island developing state situated just to the north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. RMI’s 1,200 islands, spread across 29 narrow atolls, lie an average of only 2 meters above sea level. Lack of higher ground, fragile coastal ecosystems and a vulnerable freshwater lens make RMI especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change, in turn posing a threat to the livelihoods and long-term security of the Marshallese people. RMI has therefore made immediate, practical and integrated climate adaptation efforts a national priority.

As a member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), RMI has urged all countries to be ambitious in their efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. While its own emissions are relatively insignificant in global terms, RMI has pledged boldly to cut emissions by 40% below current levels by 2020, consistent with its detailed National Energy Policy and Action Plan, and contingent on international support. The National Energy Policy was developed in 2009 with the support of the EU and the Asian Development Bank in response to the 2008 energy crisis. The Plan seeks to enhance energy security by improving energy efficiency and increasing the uptake of renewable energy and biofuels.

In August 2010, the RMI Government endorsed the ‘RMI Climate Change Roadmap 2010’, which serves as the national framework to enhance the coordination and coherence of efforts to address climate change and to mainstream climate considerations into RMI’s pathway towards sustainable development. Projects supported by fast-start finance will be developed and implemented within RMI’s national climate change policy framework.