PM Wale at the Climate Conference Opening in Honiara
PM Wale unveils GREAT’s climate action plan at regional climate conference in Honiara
Honiara, 16 September 2026 – Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Wale has declared climate change as a national security and economic priority, unveiling the GREAT Coalition Government’s concrete legislative and investment agenda to build a climate-resilient Solomon Islands by 2050.
Opening the Pacific Climate Conference in Honiara this morning, the Prime Minister said the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) has embedded climate responsibility into its core policies — centred on people, responsible resource governance, environmental standards, and long-term national resilience.
“Our task is to translate these commitments into visible improvements in villages, provinces, public services and livelihoods,” PM Wale said. “We will legislate. We will budget. We will enforce. And we will report to our people on delivery, not on intentions.”
The Prime Minister was specific, saying commitments that cannot be named cannot be measured.
Under GREAT’s policy for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Government will:
- Advance legislative and institutional reforms, including a dedicated Enforcement Unit
- Integrate climate adaptation and disaster risk into national and local planning, with proactive relocation planning for vulnerable communities
- Mobilise climate finance and green growth
- Protect ecosystems and manage natural resources sustainably
- Advance a circular economy and environmental health
- Strengthen weather, ocean and climate services
- Invest in environmental education and knowledge systems
As part of its six flagship development programs, the Government has elevated Renewable Energy Transition as a flagship priority — expanding solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass to cut fuel imports, improve rural services, and create green jobs.
He announced a concrete legislative agenda including:
- Climate Change Bill
- National Disaster Council Bill
- Meteorological Services Bill
- Independent Energy Regulator Bill
- Carbon Trading Regulations
- Deforestation Compliance Regulations
- And reviews of the Environment Act and Electricity Act
PM Wale said climate finance must not be treated as charity but as climate justice. He called for finance that is adequate, predictable, accessible and grant-based.
“A fund that exists internationally but cannot be reached by a Pacific community is not delivering justice,” he said.
Solomon Islands will strengthen its own climate-finance architecture, develop a pipeline of investable projects, pursue national accreditation to access funds directly, and establish a Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Fund.
He confirmed the Government is developing Solomon Islands’ first National Loss and Damage Policy and Investment Roadmap, which will recognise both economic and non-economic loss.
“A healthy reef and mangrove are coastal protection. A healthy forest supports water security. These ecosystems are climate infrastructure,” PM Wale said.
He outlined reforms towards sustainable forestry, community forestry, high-integrity carbon markets with fair benefits for landowners, sustainable fisheries, marine spatial planning, and circular economy waste management.
In a powerful closing, PM Wale said Solomon Islanders must not allow vulnerability to become their identity.
“We are descendants of voyagers who crossed the world’s largest ocean without satellites. They did not deny risk. They understood it, prepared for it and navigated through it together. Traditional knowledge is a living source of observation and innovation. It belongs in our research, curricula and climate investments.”
The Pacific Climate Conference continues in Honiara this week.
Conference participants
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