World leaders brave Tuvalu rain to witness climate adaptation project
Leaders from 30 countries visited Tuvalu to see a land reclamation project adding 20 hectares of habitable land by end of 2026.
Leaders from 30 countries converged on Tuvalu Friday to inspect a land reclamation project despite heavy rain. The Coastal Adaptation Project will add 20 hectares of habitable land across four sites by end of 2026.
Sand dredged from the seabed is raised six metres above the reef flat to withstand king tides reaching 3.2 metres. Several nations committed funds to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
The UK pledged $13.24 million, Fiji $10 million, Denmark $2.3 million, and Ireland will almost double its existing $3.3 million pledge. Australia announced $10 million from existing programs instead of new funding.
Oxfam Australia called this absence of new support "irresponsible." About 4,000 people from 100 countries attended the four-day event.
- 30
- Countries represented
- 20 hectares by end of 2026
- Habitable land added
- 6 metres
- Sand height above reef flat
- 3.2 metres
- King tide maximum height
Why it mattersTuvalu faces existential threat from rising seas yet has contributed almost nothing to climate change. The visit showed world leaders the stakes at the upcoming COP31 negotiations.
AustraliaAustralia's delegation declined to commit to phasing out fossil fuel exports despite Pacific nations' calls for it; a High Court decision against NSW coal expansion during the summit highlighted this tension.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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