PACT joins global network tackling climate change loss and damage

2 September 2026

Monash Business School’s Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT) has joined the Santiago Network, creating new opportunities to support countries confronting the effects of climate change.

Established under the United Nations climate framework, the network connects developing countries with organisations and experts on climate change ‘loss and damage’ – the harms that cannot be addressed through mitigation or adaptation action.

More than 240 organisations, experts, bodies and networks belong to the initiative, including major international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and UNICEF.

As a network member, PACT can respond to requests from developing countries for technical assistance and collaborate with other members on projects addressing loss and damage.

PACT Director Professor Paul Dargusch said membership would strengthen the centre’s capacity to address climate change in the Pacific, where rising seas, extreme weather and coastal erosion are putting growing pressure on communities, infrastructure and economies.

“Monash PACT is the first Australian university to become a member of the Santiago Network, which demonstrates our ambition and vision,” Prof Dargusch said.

“This puts PACT firmly on the map as a leading organisation on loss and damage research and policy globally.”

PACT Senior Lecturer Dr Guy Jackson.

PACT Senior Lecturer, Dr Guy Jackson, said Pacific Island countries are among the most climate-affected in the world, with loss and damage a growing focus for governments across the region.

“PACT had the vision of joining the Santiago Network partly because, through our engagement with the region, it became evident that loss and damage was a priority, and we felt that PACT, and Monash as a whole, had much of the specialist knowledge and technical expertise needed to address it,” Dr Jackson said.

He said the move builds on PACT’s fundamental purpose to generate real-world impact through applied research and project implementation on climate-related topics.

“PACT has already helped Pacific countries access and better utilise climate finance and develop National Adaptation Plans, among other things,” Dr Jackson said.

“Membership to the Santiago Network means we can now also respond to requests for support on loss and damage, opening up a growing area of research and practical work for PACT.”

Learn more about the Pacific Action for Climate Transitions (PACT)  centre