Prof Graham Sem

Environmental Science & Geography Discipline Lead, University of Papua New Guinea

Professor Graham Sem is a leading figure in climate change adaptation, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. His extensive experience in academia and consultancy roles underscores his commitment to enhancing community resilience and informing policy and practice in the face of climate challenges. His work significantly contributes to the global discourse on environmental sustainability and climate action, particularly in the Pacific region. Professor Graham Sem boasts over 20 years of experience addressing climate change and disaster risk reduction issues in collaboration with communities, governments, and international organizations. His work primarily focuses on strengthening capacities and capabilities to combat the adverse impacts of climate change and disaster risks at national, regional, and international levels. He plays a crucial role in assisting countries in mobilizing financial, technical, and human resources necessary for the implementation and management of climate change activities, projects, and programs. A significant aspect of his recent efforts includes the preparation of Nationally Determined Contributions for Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. In addition, Professor Sem has been actively managing the Managalas Project on Forest Protection, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Biodiversity Conservation in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. He possesses extensive experience in conducting stakeholder consultations with local communities, national governments, and international organizations, developing a deep understanding of their unique challenges and needs. Professor Sem excels in preparing technical and policy documents related to climate change, and he has successfully assisted Pacific Island countries in crafting project proposals for various funding opportunities. His contributions include involvement in initiatives such as the Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme, national communications, national adaptation programme of action, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, and regional disaster risk reduction projects. Moreover, he has been instrumental in the development of key policies and frameworks, including NAPA, the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, the Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience, and the Pacific Adaptation Strategies Assistance Programme. His understanding of the Pacific small island developing states government systems is profound, having lived and worked in the region for over three decades. Additionally, he engages in mentoring experts across these countries, facilitating capacity building and training on various aspects of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

ABSTRACT

Achieving a pathway to climate resilience: lessons from the the Pacific

This paper examines the evolving landscape of climate resilience within the agrifood systems of Pacific Island countries, where agriculture, fisheries, transportation, and food distribution networks are deeply interconnected and highly vulnerable to climate change. Pacific Island agrifood systems – spanning smallholder crop and livestock production, subsistence and semi-commercial fishing, food processing, and marketing – are facing escalating threats from more frequent extreme weather, sea level rise, and resource scarcity.

Through regional case studies drawn from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, the analysis highlights how climate-smart agriculture, local innovations, and strengthened institutional collaboration are not only helping to safeguard production but also ensuring that food supply chains, market access, and rural livelihoods remain viable under changing climatic conditions.

The paper underscores the importance of evidence-based interventions, such as crop diversification, extension services, and improved value chain connectivity, for fostering a more adaptive and inclusive agrifood sector. Despite positive developments, significant challenges persist, such as underdeveloped infrastructure, limited agrifood financing, and challenges in knowledge-sharing across the region.

The study provides actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the agrifood system’s adaptive capacity – emphasizing the need for integrated policies, investment in resilient infrastructure, and multistakeholder engagement – so Pacific Island countries can achieve sustainable food security and resilient rural economies in the midst of ongoing climate pressures.