Executive summary
Given the vulnerability of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) to the impacts of climate change, the government has developed this comprehensive National Climate Change and Health Policy and Revised Action Plan (NCCHP v2). The goal of the NCCHP v2 is to improve the coordination and effectiveness of measures that will lead the country into a climate-resilient and healthier future.

A range of stakeholder and community engagement and consultation methods were used in the development of the NCCHP v2, including stakeholder workshops, targeted interviews, and focus group discussions. These consultations directly involved around 200 local stakeholders, including government officials, local authority representatives, traditional leaders and landowners, business people, non-governmental organisations, community groups, and residents, representing a significant cross-section of the RMI population.

A range of stakeholder and community engagement and consultation methods were used in the development of the NCCHP v2, including stakeholder workshops, targeted interviews, and focus group discussions. These consultations directly involved around 200 local stakeholders, including government officials, local authority representatives, traditional leaders and landowners, business people, non-governmental organisations, community groups, and residents, representing a significant cross-section of the RMI population.

Key areas of action include sustainable agricultural practices, advanced weather forecasts, increased rainwater harvesting, water quality testing, promotion of healthy nutrition, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, improved waste disposal and recycling, better walking and cycling infrastructure, measures to promote sport and exercise, and flood and heat protection measures.

Successful implementation of the NCCHP v2 requires government and community commitment, as well as dedicated resources, technical expertise, and coordination across government agencies, local authorities, landowners and community groups. It is recommended that an influential champion, who will have oversight and responsibility for the action plan, and a coordinating officer who will take care of the day-to-day delivery of tasks, be appointed by the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS). Finally, it is recommended that this five-year action plan be reviewed annually against a set of indicators and updated if needed.