Social protection and climate change in the Pacific

Social protection needs and climate risks are intensifying across the Pacific, placing growing pressure on households, communities and governments.

Social protection can play multiple roles in addressing climate change, from responding to shocks to supporting inclusive, long-term resilience and adaptation—a critical function given climate risks and social protection needs are not evenly distributed.

Despite strong complementarities, deeper integration between social protection and climate change agendas remains constrained by institutional silos, fragmented financing and limited coordination.

This research examines how social protection can help address climate impacts, why greater collaboration matters, and opportunities to strengthen climate-responsive social protection across the region.