Actions to lessen climate change impact in the future should improve the lives of people today according to a World Bank economist.
Visitors use an escalator past a poster featuring the Fiji Islands on the opening day of the COP 23 United Nations Climate Change Conference on November 6, 2017 in Bonn, Germany. Photo: AFP/Oliver Berg
Stephane Hallegatte, was speaking during the COP23 climate conference in Germany.
He was part of a study team that's used new methods to assess risk and develop adaptation plans to the world's changing climate.
Mr Hallegatte said they tried to identify solutions which build future resilience and have an immediate impact.
"Things like building a social protection system that can respond very quickly when there is a natural disaster. Having a transport system that remains efficient even when there are floods.
"Having an electric system that's more robust. All of that is important for climate change but also important for development."
The Climate Vulnerability Assessment was prepared by the Fiji government and the World Bank.