About

Dr Michael Ha'apio, Lead Consultant/Researcher
Climate Finance, Climate Change Adaptation Consultant, Climate Change Lead Researcher ,
Tookina Research Institute

Summary

Dr. Michael Otoara Ha'apio is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in climate finance and corporate finance, specializing in concept note development, development finance, capacity building, Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) consultancy services, and community development.
Professional Experience:
• Commonwealth National Climate Finance Advisor for Solomon Islands (2021–Present): Dr. Ha'apio serves as the National Climate Finance Advisor, focusing on enhancing the country's capacity to access and manage climate finance.
• TNA Adaptation Consultant: He has contributed to TNA adaptation projects for the Republic of Nauru (2019–2020) providing expert guidance on climate adaptation strategies.
• University Fellow and Lecturer: Dr. Ha'apio was a fellow at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, where he taught Climate Finance and Adaptation Project Design. He also played a pivotal role in developing the first Master's program in Natural Resource Management at the Solomon Islands National University.
• Blue Nature Alliance Project Focal Point: He currently serves as the focal point for the Blue Nature Alliance Project in Solomon Islands, assisting international consultants in designing and developing sustainable financing solutions for marine conservation.
• Founding Board Member: Dr. Ha'apio is a founding board member of the Coral Triangle Conservation Trust Fund, an entity established under the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) based in Indonesia, dedicated to marine conservation efforts.
• Founding Board member: Tookina Research Institute, Panatina Valley, Honiara, Solomon Islands
• Lecturer in Business Management: He teaches the Professional Diploma in Business Management at the University of the South Pacific's Solomon Islands Campus, sharing his expertise in corporate finance and management.
Academic Achievements:
• Dr. Ha'apio received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Best Student Research at USP in both 2015 and 2019, recognizing his outstanding contributions to academic research.
Through his extensive experience and dedication, Dr. Ha'apio has significantly advanced climate finance initiatives, capacity building, and community development in the Pacific region.

Qualifications and credentials
Public Management & Administrtaion and Banking & Finance, 2003-2005, Completed, University of the South Pacific
Master of Business Administration, 2012, Completed, USP
Master of Science in Climate Change, 2013-2015, Completed, USP
Doctor of Philosophy in Climate Change -Adaptation, 2015-2018, Completed, USP
Publications
Climate Change Adaptation on Small Island States: An Assessment of Limits and Constraints., Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9060602
Impacts of COVID-19 on agriculture and food systems in Pacific Island countries (PICs): Evidence from communities in Fiji, Agricultural Systems, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103099
Climate change adaptation as a development challenge to small Island states: A case study from the Solomon Islands, Environmental Science & Policy Environmental Science & Policy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.008
Transformation of rural communities: lessons from a local self-initiative for building resilience in the Solomon Islands, Local Environment, vol. 23, issue 3, pp. 352-365, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/link_gateway/2018LoEnv..23..352O/doi:10.1080/13549839.2017.1420640
A ‘Cost Barrier’ Perspective to Adaptation on a Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and Mangrove Rehabilitation Projects (MRP) in Solomon Islands, Springer International Publishing, https://www.springerprofessional.de/en/a-cost-barrier-perspective-to-adaptation-on-a-coral-triangle-ini/15227420
Limits and Barriers to Transformation: A Case Study of April Ridge Relocation Initiative, East Honiara, Solomon Islands, Springer Publishing Internation, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-70703-7_24
Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts and Socioeconomic Attributes of Rural Households in Solomon Islands, In book: Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific RegionEdition: 1Chapter: 17Publisher: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015Editors: Walter Le, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-14938-7_17
Mapping the economic costs and benefits of Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and Mangrove Rehabilitation Projects (MRP) in Solomon Islands: A study of t, International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology International Journal of Sustainable Developme, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2014.957254