Climate Change: Improved Data and Performance Management Would Strengthen U.S. Support to the Indo-Pacific

What GAO Found

Twelve U.S. agencies provided about $1.9 billion, across 477 activities, to address climate risks in Bangladesh, the Maldives,14 Pacific Island countries, and three U.S. territories in the Pacific from fiscal years 2017 through 2023.This funding was for a range of activities both directly and indirectly related to climate, with some implemented in a single country and others in multiple countries. The activities address areas such as solar energy, reforestation, coral reef and mangrove health, and hazard mitigation. However, the Department of State and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) do not track data on award amount by each country for multi-country activities because the activities are not budgeted for a specific country, among other reasons. By having data that is more precise and readily available, agency officials and policymakers would be better able to ensure the accountability of U.S. funding and make informed decisions about future resource needs.

U.S. Agency for International Development Activity in Papua New Guinea to Install Solar Panels to Power a School and Health Clinic Including a Refrigerator Containing Vaccines

The Departments of the Interior and State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) demonstrated that they generally followed most of the six selected key practices for evidence-based policymaking and performance management for the 17 activities GAO reviewed. However, none of the four agencies demonstrated that they consistently followed the key practice related to identifying strategies to address internal and external factors that could affect achieving activity results. Identifying strategies to address such factors can help agencies focus on the aspects of activity implementation that are most likely to encounter risks and to threaten the success of the activity in meeting its goals.

Agencies have identified and taken steps to address some challenges affecting climate-related assistance. Federal, territorial, and host governments, and other entities identified challenges such as capacity and resource constraints, limited collaboration, and limited information, such as climate-related data on sea level rise and extreme heat. Some agencies reported taking steps to address some of these challenges, such as leveraging interagency resources and establishing partnership forums.

Why GAO Did This Study

Countries and U.S. territories in the Indo-Pacific region are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, coral reef bleaching, and drought.

GAO was asked to review federal agencies' assistance to address climate risks to countries and U.S. territories in the region. Also, the Inflation Reduction Act asked GAO to oversee the use of these funds. This report examines (1) the assistance federal agencies have provided to selected countries and U.S. territories in the Indo-Pacific; (2) the extent to which selected agencies have practices to monitor the performance of such assistance in selected locations; and (3) any challenges affecting the provision and use of such assistance and agency efforts to address them.

GAO analyzed funding data and documentation of agency activities and monitoring mechanisms; interviewed agency, territorial, foreign government, and activity officials; and conducted site visits to Palau, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. GAO also interviewed officials in Bangladesh and Fiji. GAO selected agencies and locations based on type and number of activities and geographic diversity, among other factors.