BY NED GAGAHE
The media has been challenged to take a leading role in elevating stories on climate change loss and damage in Solomon Islands as journalists gather in Honiara for the inaugural Loss and Damage Media Training.
The three-day workshop, held at Rock Haven Inn from May 11-13, 2026 brings together journalists and media practitioners to strengthen reporting on one of the country’s growing challenges — climate-induced loss and damage.
The training is facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Media Association of Solomon Islands with funding support from the Government of New Zealand through the Loss and Damage Capability and Capacity (LDCC) Project.
Speaking to Island Sun, Henry Tufah, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), said climate change adaptation and mitigation discussions have existed for years, but progress remains slow.
“Media plays a key role in solving many of these challenges. People may not clearly see how media works, but in today’s world, especially with social media, progress can happen through strong media reporting.”
Mr Tufah said although funding and support for climate-related programs are available internationally, Solomon Islands still faces challenges in accessing those resources due to weak institutional arrangements and limited capacity.
“There is a lot of funding and resources both in terms of economic support, capacity support, training and financial resources.
“Our problem within the country is institutional arrangements and capacity to ensure we tap into these fundings,” he said.
He said taking climate discussions into the media space is critical to push for accountability and encourage stronger action from government and stakeholders.
The workshop will cover key topics including climate adaptation and mitigation, climate finance, the role of climate finance and linkages, the Loss and Damage Funding Mechanism, media ethics, storytelling techniques and the role of traditional knowledge in responding to climate impacts.
The training will conclude with a field visit to Koa Hill and April Valley, where participants will meet with communities affected and put their reporting and storytelling skills into practice.
Sub-Editor of the Solomon Star Newspaper, Eddie Osifelo, said the training is helping journalists understand the wider impacts of climate change, particularly the economic cost of loss and damage.
“We now realise the importance of relocation, the impact of climate change and the economic cost of damage and loss.
“Before, we only reported on seawalls being broken or graves being washed away, but now we need to focus on the economic costs and put figures to these issues,” Mr Osifelo said.
He said climate loss and damage is a major national issue that the media must take seriously.
“This is not a small issue. It is a big issue that the media needs to focus on and take the lead in reporting.”
Agnes Menanopo, a television journalist with the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), said the workshop has given participants a better understanding of climate concepts including mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage.
“For me this is the first time attending such training.
“It is important for the media to be equipped with knowledge so when we report stories on climate change, we report accurately,” Ms Menanopo said.
She said she is looking forward to the field visit to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop.
The training builds on previous regional loss and damage media workshops held in Samoa in 2025, where In-depth Solomons journalist Ednal Palmer represented Solomon Islands during regional climate reporting programs.
Photo credit: SPREP
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
