Countries | Solomon Islands

WHO / UNFCCC Climate & Health Profile 2020

National Context

Country Background

Solomon Islands is a scattered archipelago of over 900 small islands located in the ‘Ring of Fire’, the earthquake belt of the Pacific Region (1). Geographically, the islands are a combination of mountainous lands and low-lying coral atolls (2). Similar to other islands in the Pacific Region, the Solomon Islands are vulnerable to extreme weather events such as drought and flooding, which are associated with food and water shortage, flooding, and landslides (1). Other potential hazards include tropical cyclones, volcanic activity, earthquakes and tsunamis (1) that threaten public health, ecosystems and infrastructure.

Recent trends have indicated increases in temperature, sea level rise, ocean acidification and coral bleaching associated with global climate change (3). This poses a risk to more than 80% of the population that resides in low-lying coastal areas (1). Accelerated coastal erosion and salinization of well water is an additional risk for several of the smaller, low-lying islands (1).

Health risks of considerable concern include vector-borne diseases, respiratory diseases, waterborne and foodborne diseases, malnutrition, and noncommunicable diseases (4,5). Measures to address these health concerns include creating a national policy framework, capacity-building and institutional strengthening, and increased public awareness and education (1).

The Solomon Islands face socioeconomic challenges that exacerbate existing vulnerabilities (1). In addition to being vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme events, other obstacles include a lack of access to electricity and roads for inland villages, limited government services, and political instability that make it difficult for government agencies to implement effective national programmes (1).

Highest Priority Climate Sensitive Health Risks

Climate Hazards Relevant for Health

Climate Hazard Projections for Solomon Islands

Country-specific projections are outlined up to the year 2100 for climate hazards under a ‘business as usual’ high emissions scenario compared to projections under a ‘two-degree’ scenario with rapidly decreasing global emissions (see Figures 1–5). The climate model projections given below present climate hazards under a high emissions scenario, Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5 – in orange) and a low emissions scenario (RCP2.6 – in green). ¹ ¹Model projections are from CMIP5 for RCP8.5 (high emissions) and RCP2.6 (low emissions). Model anomalies are added to the historical mean and smoothed.

The text describes the projected changes averaged across about 20 global climate models (thick line). The figures ² ²Analysis by the Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, 2018. also show each model individually as well as the 90% model range (shaded) as a measure of uncertainty and the annual and smoothed observed record (in blue).³ ³Observed historical record of mean temperature is from CRU-TSv3.26 and total precipitation is from GPCC. Observed historical records of extremes are from JRA55 for temperature and from GPCC-FDD for precipitation. In the following text the present-day baseline refers to the 30-year average for 1981–2010 and the end-of-century refers to the 30-year average for 2071–2100.

Modelling uncertainties associated with the relatively coarse spatial scale of the models compared with that of small island States are not explicitly represented. There are also issues associated with the availability and representativeness of observed data for such locations.

FIGURE 1: Mean annual temperature, 1900–2100

Under a high emissions scenario, mean annual temperature is projected to rise by about 2.9 ºC on average by the end-of-century (i.e. 2071–2100 compared with 1981–2010). If emissions decrease rapidly, the temperature rise is limited to about 0.8 ºC.

FIGURE 2: Total annual precipitation, 1900–2100

Total annual precipitation is projected to increase by about 6% on average under a high emissions scenario, although the uncertainty range is large (-6% to +23%). If emissions decrease rapidly there is little projected change on average: an increase of 3% with an uncertainty range of -8% to +12%.

FIGURE 3: Percentage of hot days (‘heat stress’), 1900–2100

The percentage of hot days⁴ ⁴A ‘hot day’ (‘hot night’) is a day when maximum (minimum) temperature exceeds the 90th percentile threshold for that time of the year. is projected to increase substantially from about 15% of all observed days on average in 1981–2010 (10% in 1961–1990). Under a high emissions scenario, almost 100% of days on average are defined as ‘hot’ by the end-of-century. If emissions decrease rapidly, about 75% of days on average are ‘hot’. Note that the models tend to over-estimate the observed increase in hot days (by about 10% on average for 1981–2010). Similar increases are seen in hot nights (not shown).

FIGURE 4: Contribution of very wet days (‘extreme rainfall’ and ‘flood risk’) to total annual rainfall, 1900–2100

Under a high emissions scenario, the proportion of total annual rainfall from very wet days⁵ ⁵The proportion (%) of annual rainfall totals that falls during very wet days, defined as days that are at least as wet as the historically 5% wettest of all days (about 30% for 1981–2010) could increase a little by the end-of-century (to around 34% on average with an uncertainty range of about 15% to 50%), with less change if emissions decrease rapidly. These projected changes are accompanied by small projected increases in total annual rainfall (see Figure 2).

FIGURE 5: Standardized Precipitation Index (‘drought’), 1900–2100

The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is a widely used drought index which expresses rainfall deficits/excesses over timescales ranging from 1 to 36 months (here 12 months, i.e., SPI12)⁶ ⁶SPI is unitless but can be used to categorize different severities of drought (wet): above +2.0 extremely wet; +2.0 to +1.5 severely wet; +1.5 to +1.0 moderately wet; +1.0 to +0.5 slightly wet; +0.5 to -0.5 near normal conditions; -0.5 to -1.0 slight drought; -1.0 to -1.5 moderate drought; -1.5 to -2.0 severe drought; below -2.0 extreme drought.. It shows how at the same time extremely dry and extremely wet conditions, relative to the average local conditions, change in frequency and/or intensity.

Under a high emissions scenario, SPI12 values are projected to increase from about -0.4 to about 0.1 on average by the end of the century (2071–2100), with a number of models indicating substantially larger increases and hence more frequent and/or intense wet episodes. Year-to-year variability remains large with dry episodes continuing to occur into the future.

Tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones affect Solomon Islands mainly between November and April. An average of 29 cyclones per decade developed within or crossed the Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the 1969/70 and 2010/11 seasons (see Figure 6). The interannual variability in the number of tropical cyclones in Solomon Islands EEZ is large (3).

FIGURE 6: Time series of the observed number of tropical cyclones developing within and crossing the Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. The 11-year moving average is in orange.

Sea level rise

Sea level rise is one of the most significant threats to low lying areas on small islands and atolls. Research indicates that global mean sea level rise rates are almost certainly accelerating as a result of climate change. A further 0.4-0.9m sea level rise is expected in the Solomon Islands by 2090 under a high emissions (RCP8.5) scenario (3). The relatively long response times to global warming mean that sea level will continue to rise for a considerable time after any reduction in emissions.

Potential impacts of sea level rise include:

Coastal erosion
Ecosystem disruption
Higher storm surges
Population displacement
Water contamination and disruption
Mental health

Health Impact of Climate Change

Some of the world’s most virulent infections are also highly sensitive to climate: temperature, precipitation and humidity have a strong influence on the life-cycles of the vectors and the infectious agents they carry and influence the transmission of waterborne and foodborne diseases (25,26).

Figure 7 presents modelled estimates for Solomon Islands of the potential risk of dengue fever transmission.⁷ ⁷A suite of mathematical models was systematically developed, then applied and interpreted by a team of researchers at Umeå University (Sweden)
to assess the potential for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks (e.g. dengue, chikungunya, Zika and malaria) in terms of climate-dependent
vectorial capacity (VC). Baseline year is 2015, Climatic Research Unit CRU-TSv4.01. Future projections are represented for two emissions futures
(Representative Concentration Pathways: RCP2.6, RCP8.5), five climate change projections (Global Climate Models: gfdlesm2m, hadgem2-es, ipslcm5a-lr, miroc-esm-chem, noresm1-m). (2018) Umeå University, Sweden. While globally-projected climate change scenarios tends to correlate with increasing temperatures and thus increasing vectorial capacity in those areas – moving towards a vector-borne transmission disease thermo-optimum – some areas including some SIDS are projected to experience conditions warmer than optimal conditions for disease epidemics. In those cases, baseline conditions may be more permissive to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases than the future, assuming continued trajectories. Most estimates shown exceed the threshold for ongoing epidemic transmission (VC>0.2), with seasonal variations indicated. Monthly mean vectorial capacity (VC) estimates were also modelled for malaria, chikungunya and Zika. Similar trends in transmission risks of these diseases were observed (plots not shown but available upon request) (27–30).⁸ ⁸Given the climate dependence of many vector-borne diseases’ transmission cycles, seasonality of epidemic risk is common; however, many SIDS, due to tropical latitudes, tend to have less seasonality than more temperate areas.⁹ ⁹The actual occurrences/severity of epidemics would be quite different for each disease in each setting and could depend greatly on vector- and host-related transmission dynamics, prevention, surveillance and response capacities that are not captured in this model.

FIGURE 7: Monthly mean vectorial capacity (VC) in Solomon Islands for dengue fever. Modelled estimates for 2015 (baseline) are presented together with 2035 and 2085 estimates under low emissions (RCP2.6) and high emissions (RCP8.5) scenarios.

National Response

Health System Capacity and Adaptation: Monitoring Progress

The following section measures progress in the health sector in responding to climate threats based on country reported data collected in the 2021 WHO Health and Climate Change Country Survey (22).

Governance And Leadership

National Planning for Health and Climate Change

Question	questioncategory	question	Answer
Has a national health and climate change strategy or plan been developed ?			YES
Are the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation action considered in the strategy/plan?			NO
Level of implementation of the strategy/plan?			MODERATE
Portion of estimated costs to implement the strategy/plan covered in the health budget			MINIMALLY
Are health adaptation priorities identified in the strategy/plan?			YES

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A).
Definition: In this context, a national strategy or plan is a broad term that includes national health and climate strategies as well as the health component of national adaptation plans (H-NAPs).

Intersectoral Collaboration to Address Climate Change

Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?

Question	questioncategory	Answer
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Transportation	NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Electricity generation	NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Household energy	NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Agriculture	NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Social services	NO
Is there an agreement in place between the ministry of health and this sector which defines specific roles and responsibilities in relation to links between health and climate change policy?	Water, Sanitation & Waste-water management	NO

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Yes = Specific roles and responsibilities between the national health authority and the sector indicated are defined in the agreement.

Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments for Health

Question	questioncategory	question	Answer
Has an assessment of health vulnerability and impacts of climate change been conducted at a national level?			NO
→ Level of influence of the assessment findings on policy prioritization to address the health risks of climate change			N/A
→ Level of influence of the assessment findings on human and financial resource allocation to address the health risks of climate change			N/A

Notes
Table Legend:
Question 1: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Questions 2 and 3: None, Minimal, Somewhat, Strong

Climate-sensitive diseases and health outcomes	qid	Health surveillance system is in place (a)	Health surveillance system includes meteorological information (b)
Thermal stress (e.g. heat waves)	22111	NO	NO
Vector-borne diseases	22121	YES	YES
Foodborne diseases	22131	NO	NO
Waterborne diseases	22141	YES	NO
Nutrition (e.g. malnutrition associated with extreme-climatic events)	22151	YES
Injuries (e.g. physical injuries or drowning in extreme weather events)	22161	NO	NO
Mental health and well-being	22171	YES	NO
Airborne and respiratory diseases	22181	YES

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
(a) A positive response indicates that the health surveillance system is in place, it will identify changing health risks or impacts AND it will trigger early action.
(b) Meteorological information refers to either short-term weather information, seasonal climate information OR long-term climate information

Climate hazard	qid	Health early warning system (HEWS) in place?	Health sector response plan in place?	Health sector response plan includes meteorological information?
Heat waves	23111	YES	NO	NO
Storms (e.g. hurricanes, monsoons, typhoons)	23131	YES	YES	NO
Flooding	23141	YES	YES	NO
Drought	23161	YES	YES	NO
Air quality (e.g. particulate matter, ozone levels)	23171

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Human Resource Capacity

Question	questioncategory	question	Answer
Is there a national curriculum developed to train health personnel on the health impacts of climate change?			NO
Does your human resource capacity as measured through the International Health Regulations Monitoring Framework (IHR) adequately consider the human resource requirements to respond to climate-related events?			Partially

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Health Care Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology

Question	questioncategory	question	Answer
Has there been a national assessment of the climate resilience of health infrastructure and technology?
Have measures been taken to increase the climate resilience of health infrastructure and technology?
Is there a national initiative/programme in place to promote the use of low-carbon, energy-efficient, sustainable technologies in the health sector?

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Finance

Question	questioncategory	question	Answer
Is your government currently accessing international funds to support climate change and health work?			NO

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Funding Challenges

Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds

Question	question	Answer
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Lack of information on the opportunities	YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Lack of country eligibility
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Lack of connection by health actors to climate change processes	YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Lack of capacity to prepare country proposals	YES
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Lack of success in submitted applications
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	None (no challenges/challenges were minimal)
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Not applicable
Greatest challenges faced in accessing international climate funds	Other (please specify)

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Opportunities for Action

Institutionalize Climate Change in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Organizational Structure

A division within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services with existing supportive legislation to include climate change and health as a core function, to oversee the implementation of the Solomon Islands National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan 2011 and to strengthen the weak collaboration within the health sector and with other sectors. Relevant climate change and health activities to be streamlined into respective department’s annual operational plan where relevant.

Strengthen Implementation of the Climate Change and Health Strategic Action Plan

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has approved the National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan 2011. This plan is to be updated with inclusion of key performance indicators and specific budget requirements. It is to be aligned to the National Health Strategic Plan 2016–2020, the National Climate Change Policy 2012, the National Development Strategy 2016–2019 and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. However, implementation remains moderate. Main barriers to implementation have been identified as insufficient funding and a lack of adequate information systems and reporting with respect to health and climate change issues.

Assess Health Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change

Conduct a national assessment of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation for health in collaboration with the Climate Change Division, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECCDM). Cover both community and health care facilities in the assessment and use results of the assessment for policy prioritization and allocation of resources.

Strengthen Integrated Risk Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

The current surveillance system to incorporate climate data, geographical and other relevant environmental data with the purpose of surveillance and early warning system for health. There is a need for human resources and institutional capacity-building for this purpose, including strengthening the National Public Health Laboratory to provide scientific support.

Address Barriers to Accessing International Climate Change Finance to Support Health Adaptation

Strengthen local policy, institutional, technical and knowledge capacities, to support preparation of a country proposal for specific funding. There must be ongoing dialogue between the health sector and potential funders in order to provide relevant information for funding purposes. A technical working group is to be established to drive resource mobilization for the health sector.

Include the Health Co-benefits of Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in the National Climate Change Policy Including Sector-specific Policies for Solomon Islands

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services to advocate for health co-benefits to be incorporated into the National Climate Change Policy and other sector-specific policies.

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PUBLICATION

Solomon Islands: Health and Climate Change Country Profile

WHO, UNFCCC, 2020

TOOL

Human Climate Horizons (HCH)

Climate Impact Lab, UNDP

TOOL

SIDS Dynamic Data Dashboard on Health and Climate Change

WHO

EXPERT GROUPS

WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

World Health Organization (WHO)

CASE STUDY

MalaClim: climate-based suitability mapping to inform vector control programmes in the Solomon Islands

L. Tahani (Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS); A. Bobogare (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP); J. Smith, S. McGree and G. Beard, A. Amjadali and I. Jeanne (Australian Aid: DFAT and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology). 2018

NEWS

July 26, 2023

WHO and UNDP launch US$17.85 million GEF-funded project supporting climate resilient health systems in Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu

WHO

NEWS

November 9, 2022

Boosting the provision of essential weather and climate data

WMO

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WHO / UNFCCC Climate & Health Profile 2020

National Context

Country Background

Highest Priority Climate Sensitive Health Risks

Climate Hazards Relevant for Health

Climate Hazard Projections for Solomon Islands

Tropical cyclones

Sea level rise

Health Impact of Climate Change

Heat Stress Climate change is expected to increase the mean annual temperature and the intensity and frequency of heat waves, resulting in a greater number of people at risk of heat-related medical conditions.

Noncommunicable diseases, food and nutrition security Small island developing States (SIDS) face distinct challenges that render them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on food and nutrition security

National Response

Health System Capacity and Adaptation: Monitoring Progress

Governance And Leadership

National Planning for Health and Climate Change

Notes Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A). Definition: In this context, a national strategy or plan is a broad term that includes national health and climate strategies as well as the health component of national adaptation plans (H-NAPs).

Intersectoral Collaboration to Address Climate Change

Notes Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A) Yes = Specific roles and responsibilities between the national health authority and the sector indicated are defined in the agreement.

Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments for Health

Notes Table Legend: Question 1: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A) Questions 2 and 3: None, Minimal, Somewhat, Strong

Notes Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Human Resource Capacity

Notes Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Health Care Facilities, Infrastructure and Technology

Notes: Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Finance

Notes: Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Funding Challenges

Notes: Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Opportunities for Action

Institutionalize Climate Change in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Organizational Structure

Strengthen Implementation of the Climate Change and Health Strategic Action Plan

Assess Health Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change

Strengthen Integrated Risk Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

Address Barriers to Accessing International Climate Change Finance to Support Health Adaptation

Include the Health Co-benefits of Mitigation and Adaptation Actions in the National Climate Change Policy Including Sector-specific Policies for Solomon Islands

WHO Resources for Action

References

About this profile

Solomon Islands: Health and Climate Change Country Profile

Human Climate Horizons (HCH)

SIDS Dynamic Data Dashboard on Health and Climate Change

WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific

MalaClim: climate-based suitability mapping to inform vector control programmes in the Solomon Islands

WHO and UNDP launch US$17.85 million GEF-funded project supporting climate resilient health systems in Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu

Boosting the provision of essential weather and climate data

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A).
Definition: In this context, a national strategy or plan is a broad term that includes national health and climate strategies as well as the health component of national adaptation plans (H-NAPs).

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Yes = Specific roles and responsibilities between the national health authority and the sector indicated are defined in the agreement.

Notes
Table Legend:
Question 1: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)
Questions 2 and 3: None, Minimal, Somewhat, Strong

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Notes
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)

Notes:
Table Legend: Yes (√) / No (X) / Unknown/Not applicable (N/A)