The Voice of the Solomon Islands: Impressions from my Project Visit

Hello ,

Although COP30 in Belém is now on the shelves of the media archives, one voice still resounds. COP30 was also shaped by the active role of the world’s indigenous communities – a role that was somewhat under-reported in the media here. Out of their own concern they strenuously “lobbied” for the climate. And they have every reason to do so: rising sea levels are threatening entire island states, and areas of rainforest are disappearing at an alarming rate.

In the Solomon Islands, the archipelago in the South Pacific, these two crises collide. I experienced this dramatic development first-hand during my visit to the myclimate Babatana project. The consequences of climate change have long been a reality there: for many people, adaptation is no longer an abstract question of the future, but a daily struggle for survival – often without the luxuries of time, resources or leeway.

And yet I returned from the Solomon Islands with hope. Our long-standing partnership in the region is having an impact. The community-based project model for the protection of the rainforest is bearing fruit in the truest sense: ecologically, socially and economically.

Local communities are using knowledge, commitment and financial support from CO₂ certificates to protect their forests from deforestation. After all, climate protection requires both passion and a local perspective, as well as tangible financial resources and incentives.

In the following report, I would like to show you why financing via the climate protection project remains so crucial – and what would happen without it.

I wish you an inspiring read and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your past and future support.