State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2023
- Climate change threatens the future of Pacific islands
- Sea level rise accelerates and is above global average
- Ocean heating and acidification harm ecosystems and livelihoods
- Early warnings are integral part of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
The WMO State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2023 report details how sea level rise in the region is above the global average. Sea surface temperatures have risen three times faster than the global average since 1980. During that time marine heatwaves have approximately doubled in frequency since 1980 and are more intense and are lasting longer.
The report was released by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. It was accompanied by a special briefing document on Surging Seas in a Warming World, described by Mr Guterres as “an SOS on sea level rise.”
Despite accounting for just 0.02 per cent of global emissions – the Pacific islands are uniquely exposed. Their average elevation is just one to two meters above sea level; 90 percent of the population live within 5 kilometres of the coast and half the infrastructure is within 500 metres of the sea.
Early warning systems facilitate proactive measures such as evacuation plans, resource allocation and infrastructure reinforcement. Even though they are a lifeline, they are available in only one third of Small Island Developing States globally.
The State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2023 report was prepared in cooperation with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and other United Nations agencies and international partners. It also looks at climate drivers in 2023 – including the last El Niño event – temperature, precipitation and extreme events like tropical cyclones, drought and extreme heat in the region.
Other resources
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About the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific series
The WMO State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific report series provides an annual overview of the region’s changing climate and its far-reaching impacts. Each report highlights key trends in temperature and precipitation, offering insight into how long-term warming and rainfall patterns are evolving. It also tracks extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, droughts, floods, and heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
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