The important role of national data platforms in assessing and measuring the impacts of climate change loss and damage on vulnerable island communities was discussed during national dialogues in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The FSM Loss and Damage Dialogue held in March was supported by the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability Project funded by the Government of New Zealand and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Climate impacts in FSM, including coastal erosion, flooding, ecosystem degradation, and freshwater stress, are experienced unevenly across the nation's four states and communities.
Recognising that loss and damage is inherently place-based, a special session was held during the national Loss and Damage dialogue demonstrating how national data platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and participatory mapping can document and identify location of impacts, and which communities face the greatest climate risks.
"GIS is a valuable tool for mapping conservation and protected areas and for informing our marine spatial planning initiatives in Kosrae state,” said Director Steven Palik of the Kosrae Island Resource Management Authority (KIRMA).
GIS applications enable systematic identification of climate vulnerability hotspots, quantification of environmental change over time. In documenting both economic and non-economic dimensions of loss and damage, satellite imagery analysis spanning decades has calculated precise shoreline retreat rates and modeled future inundation risks from sea-level rise and storm surge to address this.
“Enabling and empowering the storage and collection of data is essential when it comes to confirming the level of Loss and Damage in any Pacific Island,” said Ms. Lagi Reupena, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Officer, SPREP.
“The FSM Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Data Portal is another crucial, national tool which can be applied.”
The portal (https://fsm-data.sprep.org/) serves as a centralised platform for secure data storage, environmental monitoring, and standardised indicator tracking through State of Environment (SOE) reporting.
As part of a Pacific Environment Portal network spanning more than fourteen island nations, the FSM national portal enables stakeholders to access environmental and geospatial data for the pacific region.
Over 40 participants attended the special session of the national loss and damage dialogue conducting participatory mapping exercises to document loss and damage across five priority vulnerability areas: coastal risk zones, typhoon vulnerability, food and water security, cultural heritage loss, and relocation zones.
By combining community narratives with spatial and environmental data, participants translated lived experiences into actionable, evidence-informed insights that identify data gaps, clarify priorities for collective action, and strengthen advocacy for climate loss and damage recognition at regional and international forums.
“Participants fully understand that loss and damage extend beyond physical destruction to include intangible impacts such as loss of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and psychosocial trauma from displacement,” said Ms Vani Koroisamanunu, Environmental GIS Specialist, SPREP.
“Geospatial technology and environmental data systems are documenting these non-economic dimensions, enabling FSM to communicate the full human and cultural cost of climate change in international negotiations and advocacy efforts.”
The national Federated States of Micronesia National Loss and Damage Dialogue was held on 24 and 25 March 2026. The state level loss and damage dialogue was held in Kosrae on 3 – 4 March, Yap on 10 – 11 March, Chuuk on 17 – 18 March and Pohnpei on 20 and 23 March. The Loss and Damage Dialogue Capacity and Capability Project is funded by the Government of New Zealand and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
The Environmental Governance team's participation was supported through funding from Government of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) Climate Change Policy, Operational and Advisory, and Enabling and Support initiatives.