Climate Change Data

University of the South Pacific (USP)

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2012-2014)

Reporting Period: 2012-2014

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

  • Low carbon sea transport
  • Renewable energy in shipping
  • Sustainable development in the Pacific Islands

Environmental Achievements

  • Initiated research and education strategy for low-carbon sea transport in the Pacific
  • Organized two international conferences (SSTT 2012 and 2014) to address sustainable sea transport
  • Published numerous papers on sustainable sea transport in the Pacific

Social Achievements

  • Built relationships with stakeholders and knowledge partners at all levels
  • Developed postgraduate research and undergraduate courses in sustainable sea transport
  • Established the Oceania Centre for Sustainable Transport (OCST) as a knowledge exchange hub

Governance Achievements

  • Prepared a Regional Research and Education Strategy (RRES) for low-carbon sea transport
  • Engaged in negotiations with universities in the UK and Germany for collaboration
  • Advocated for inclusion of low-carbon transport solutions in funding rounds

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Establish a virtual regional center of excellence for sustainable sea transport
Medium-term Goals:
  • Implement the Regional Research and Education Strategy (RRES)
Short-term Goals:
  • Move to practical trials of a range of technologies and vessel types

Environmental Challenges

  • High fossil fuel dependency in the Pacific (95%+) for sea transport
  • Unaffordable and unsustainable current sea transport services
  • Invisibility of low-carbon shipping in policy and donor strategies
  • Lack of dedicated funding for research and practical trials
  • Complex barriers to transition (institutional, technological, financial)
  • Poorly documented shipping movements and operations
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developed a research and education strategy
  • Organized international workshops and conferences
  • Published research findings to populate the literature
  • Built partnerships with stakeholders and knowledge partners
  • Developed postgraduate and undergraduate courses
  • Established the OCST
  • Advocated for policy changes and funding
  • Initiated case studies to demonstrate economic viability

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities
  • Development of low-carbon shipping solutions