The University of the South Pacific (USP) has unveiled the establishment of the Centre for Sustainable Futures, which aims to serve as a key center for climate change research and collaboration.
The initiative is backed by initial funding from the Aotearoa New Zealand International Climate Finance Strategy, with the goal of creating a sustainable hub that will have a lasting effect on Pacific Island nations.
USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, emphasized the critical necessity for fostering collaboration and consolidating expertise within the realms of climate change research, policy, and leadership.
He stated, “For us in the Pacific, climate change is more than the greatest challenge of our time. For us, the threat goes beyond that. The loss of our villages and our islands leads to the demise of our cultures, our identities, indeed our mana.”
“Despite the challenges we face, the Pacific has always known that our remarkable strength and resilience lie in our capability to unite. And in essence, that is what USP represents – a platform for collaborative efforts to drive change.”
Professor Ahluwalia further explained that the Centre will adopt a multidisciplinary, integrated, and strategic approach to addressing climate change and fostering resilience.
“A sustainable future for the Pacific entails enhanced research capacity, comprehensive impact studies, capacity-building initiatives, academic programs, community-focused policies, and climate finance strategies that benefit the entire region.”
“The Centre will reinforce USP’s traditional role as a university dedicated to generating and sharing new knowledge through teaching, training, and publications, ultimately leading to an increase in current and future Pacific climate change researchers, policymakers, and legislators.”
“Equipped with the right tools, these leaders will be prepared to guide their communities in tackling the challenges posed by climate change and its consequences.”
The Centre is expected to become operational in the coming months.