In the Pacific, climate and disaster shocks disproportionately affect those with the fewest resources. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, informal workers and small businesses often face the greatest barriers to finance and information, experience the greatest losses and recover the slowest. Yet pre-arranged financial protection has largely remained out of reach.
The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme (PICAP) is working to change this. The programme has facilitated the introduction and scaling of the Pacific's first micro-level parametric insurance solutions, which provide payouts when a pre-agreed weather event is measured, for households, small businesses and vulnerable groups. It also works with governments, regulators and financial institutions to build the enabling environment needed for inclusive climate risk insurance to be offered, approved and sustained.
As the programme’s evidence partner, UNU-EHS leads the research that shows what works, for whom and why. Our work examines both the financial protection needs of different population groups and how insurance affects people’s lives after a disaster. We also assess how well outreach and distribution approaches reach those who face the greatest barriers to accessing protection. The findings provide governments, the private sector and other insurance ecosystem partners with the evidence needed to refine products, target support and shape policy.
By generating evidence, informing policy and strengthening inclusive insurance markets, PICAP is helping expand access to financial protection and strengthen climate resilience across the Pacific.
PICAP is jointly implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). The programme receives financial support from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.
