Crawford at COP29: meet Mike Waiwai

Mike Waiwai is no stranger to UN climate change conferences. A Crawford Master of Climate Change student on an Australia Awards scholarship, he’s currently on study leave from his role as Director of Vanuatu’s Department of Climate Change and has attended several previous COPs.

This time around, he’s both a participant, as part of the Vanuatu delegation, and an observer, attending COP29 Azerbaijan as an ANU scholar through ANU's Climate Alumni Leadership Program.

Here, Mike offers his unique perspective on his career, his aspirations, and attending #COP29 as a ni-Vanuatu and as a Crawford scholar.

Tell us about yourself (where are you from, where did you grow up, what are you passionate about, what motivates you.

My name is Mike Waiwai, and I am from the beautiful archipelago of Vanuatu, located in the south Pacific. I was born and raised on Tanna Island, in the southern part of Vanuatu in TAFEA Province.

During my high school years, I remember dreaming of becoming a climate expert. Witnessing the increasing challenges posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels, intensifying cyclones, and their impacts on our communities, has fuelled my passion and determination to pursue this path.

Today, I am proud to say that I am actively following my goals and dreams, working to address the pressing issues of climate change and make a meaningful impact. My journey has been shaped by hard work, resilience, and a commitment to safeguarding the future of Vanuatu and the Pacific region as a whole.

From your perspective as a ni-Vanuatu, what are the most pressing climate challenges facing Vanuatu today?

Vanuatu faces a range of pressing climate challenges that threaten its environment, economy, and way of life. These challenges are amplified by the country's status as a small island developing state and its high exposure to natural disasters.

To take just one example of the climate impacts we face in Vanuatu, tropical cyclones are becoming more intense due to climate change. Cyclones like Pam (2015), Harold (2020), and Judy and Kevin (2023) caused widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This increasing intensity places immense pressure on recovery and rebuilding efforts. The cost of disaster recovery, coupled with the loss of tourism revenue, places a heavy financial burden on the government and local communities. On top of this, Vanuatu’s limited access to climate finance makes it challenging to implement large-scale adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

What motivated you to take study leave from your role as Director of Vanuatu’s Department of Climate Change to pursue a master's degree at the Crawford School?

For me, its the ever-evolving nature of climate change, both nationally and internationally, particularly in terms of policies and frameworks. I have observed significant gaps that need to be addressed in the realm of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

In Vanuatu, there is a noticeable shortage of expertise in these critical areas, which is a challenge for effective policy development and implementation. I believe that my studies at Crawford will equip me with the knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches needed to address these gaps. My goal is to contribute not only to Vanuatu’s climate resilience but also to support other Pacific Island countries facing similar challenges. Through this journey, I hope to identify and develop practical solutions that will make a meaningful impact across the region.

How has your previous experience working in government shaped your perspective on climate policy and negotiations?

Profoundly. In particular, it has aided my understanding of the complexities of implementing climate actions at the national and international levels. I have been at the forefront of climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster resilience efforts in my country. This hands-on experience has given me invaluable insights into a few areas.

I’ve learned that effective climate policies must be practical and community-focused. While international frameworks provide guidance, they need to be contextualized to address local realities. In Vanuatu, this means ensuring policies are aligned with the needs of communities facing immediate threats, such as rising sea levels or severe cyclones.

Climate change is cross-cutting, impacting sectors like agriculture, health, and infrastructure. In government, I worked with various ministries to integrate climate considerations into broader development strategies, fostering a holistic approach. This experience highlighted the need for coordination and breaking down silos in both national and international policymaking.

At previous global negotiations, I have witnessed how vital it is for small island states like Vanuatu to have a strong voice. I learned the importance of advocating for loss and damage, equity, and support for the most vulnerable countries. My role involves ensuring that Vanuatu’s unique challenges were communicated effectively, contributing to global recognition of our needs.

What climate topic area are you most interested in, and why?

Climate change affects all sectors and every individual. For Vanuatu, climate isn’t a new challenge. As early as 1991, at the first climate COP, in fact, our nation took a bold step by bringing the issue of loss and damage to the global stage. This legacy of leadership inspires me to continue the work our past leaders began.

For Vanuatu, loss and damage is not just a theoretical concept—it is a stark reality. The impacts of climate change are no longer future threats but present challenges. Communities across the country are experiencing catastrophic harm, including the displacement and relocation of families, the destruction of homes, and the erosion of livelihoods. Despite ongoing efforts to adapt and mitigate these impacts, the scale and intensity of the challenges continue to grow.

This is why I am deeply committed to focusing on loss and damage. It is a matter of survival for Vanuatu and many other vulnerable nations. By addressing this issue, we honour the resilience of our people and ensure that their voices remain central in the global fight against climate change.

As an experienced United Nations Climate Change Conference attendee, what expectations or anticipations did you have going into this COP?

I approach each session with a mix of anticipation and a pragmatic understanding of the challenges involved. My expectations for this COP are shaped by the pressing need for tangible progress, particularly in the areas of loss and damage, climate finance, and ambitious global commitments.

I anticipate significant discussions on operationalizing the loss and damage fund, which was agreed upon at COP27. For nations like Vanuatu, this fund is crucial for addressing the irreversible impacts of climate change, such as displacement and destruction caused by stronger cyclones and rising seas. My expectation is that countries will finalize the framework for disbursing these funds, ensuring accessibility and equity for the most vulnerable nations.

While commitments to mobilize US$100 billion annually in climate finance by developed nations were reaffirmed, I anticipate a focus on scaling up this amount to meet the actual needs, particularly for adaptation and resilience-building in small island developing states (SIDS). I also expect discussions around simplifying access to these funds and ensuring that they are distributed fairly, with a stronger emphasis on grants rather than loans.

With the global stocktake process underway, I anticipate countries will be urged to submit more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This is critical to closing the emissions gap and keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach. I hope to see greater alignment between commitments and implementation, with developed nations leading by example.

Are there specific climate change topics or issues that you are particularly passionate about and hope to be involved in at COP29?

Apart from participating in negotiations, Vanuatu is also leveraging the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions with its donor partners to review ongoing projects and explore areas for continued collaboration. These discussions involve key partners such as New Zealand, Australia, and multilateral donor organizations. The focus of these engagements includes critical areas such as adaptation, loss and damage, mitigation, and addressing displacement and resettlement challenges in Vanuatu. These dialogues are essential for strengthening partnerships, overcoming implementation challenges, and ensuring that support aligns with Vanuatu’s climate resilience and development priorities.

Given the key takeaways from COP28 in Dubai, what changes or improvements do you anticipate in this year's negotiations at COP29, particularly in terms of ambition, participation, and the integration of climate action into broader socio-economic frameworks?

Building on the outcomes of COP28 in Dubai, several changes and improvements are anticipated in the negotiations at COP29. The focus is likely to shift towards more actionable and inclusive measures, particularly in terms of ambition, participation, and the integration of climate action into broader socioeconomic frameworks.

COP28 saw a renewed focus on the global stocktake and the need to close the emissions gap. At COP29, one of the things I expect to see is countries submitting more ambitious updates to their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), moving beyond pledges to concrete implementation strategies.

In what ways do you believe your experience at COP29 will influence your future academic or professional pursuits? What are your aspirations for your career in climate policy after your studies?

My experience at COP29 will significantly shape my future academic and professional pursuits by deepening my understanding of global climate negotiations and enhancing my ability to advocate for meaningful solutions to climate challenges, particularly for my country. I think it will help me refine my academic focus, directly informing my academic research, and enabling me to explore solutions that are both theoretically sound and grounded in global realities.

It will help me build on my career aspirations in climate policy as well. My long-term goal is to return to Vanuatu and continue contributing to national climate policy as a leader. I aim to leverage my expertise to design and implement policies that enhance resilience, secure climate finance, and prioritize community-led solutions.

I also aspire to represent Vanuatu and the Pacific at international forums, advocating for climate justice and the inclusion of SIDS in global decision-making processes. Beyond policy work, I am also passionate about mentoring future leaders and building technical capacity in climate adaptation and mitigation within Vanuatu and the Pacific region.

What message do you hope to convey to other nations about the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities?

The impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities are a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our world. What happens to the people of Vanuatu today could happen to others tomorrow. My message to other nations is this act with urgency, act with responsibility, and act with justice to protect those most affected and to safeguard our collective future.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We will continued to fight for climate justice….“ WE ARE NOT SINKING, WE ARE FIGHTING” for our survival.

🔗 Find out more about studying a Master of Climate Change at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy