Honourable Ralph Regenvanu

It is my pleasure as Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management, to welcome you to the Ministry’s website.

This Ministry was created by the Government of Vanuatu in 2014 for the purpose of strategically aligning Departments responsible for the response to natural disasters and sustainable development of the environment.

Despite its recent establishment, this Ministry has taken long strides within a short period of time in all sectors under its responsibility in terms of policy development and their implementation as well as legislative framework.  

The Ministry has launched the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Vehicle Emissions Standards projects, which are a testament to our commitment to the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as our dedication to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This Ministry has also seen the launch of the second edition of the National Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and Implementation Plan.

The sector policy promotes good governance, which will be reflected and implemented in the yearly Business Plans of each Department under the Ministry.

In 2022 this Ministry also launched its 2022-2026 Corporate Plan.

This Corporate Plan aims to guide the Ministry and its line departments in achieving overarching goals to drive planning, decision-making, programming and project delivery across government and its stakeholders.

Another important document launched in 2022 is the Revised and Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Vanuatu’s NDC reflects the highest ambitions on adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.

I am pleased that in line with the National Energy Roadmap to promote renewable energy to meet set targets, the Ministry of Climate Change is the first to introduce and pilot electric vehicles into the government fleet.

At the global stage, Vanuatu has taken the lead in successfully getting the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a Resolution calling for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on Climate Change, as well as calling for the development of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Vanuatu welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion issued of July 2025, that action on climate change by States, through international treaties, conventions and international customary law, is a legal obligation.

Vanuatu is now focused on its Loss and Damage Policy and Implementation Plan.

As such, platforms such as this website, information about this Ministry’s implementation of national policies will be made public to fulfill the Ministry’s vision of promoting a resilient, sustainable, safe and informed Vanuatu as well as its mission of developing sound policies and legislative frameworks and providing timely, reliable scientific information for service delivery to enable resilient communities, maintain a sustainable environment and engage in economic development as outlined under the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP).

Hon. Ralph Regenvanu
Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management