Pacific Island countries and territories already face a range of development challenges due to their specific geographic and socio-economic characteristics, and their generally high exposure to natural hazards. The projected changes to the climate of the Pacific Island region over the coming decades present another challenging dimension that the region will need to grapple with. These changes could compromise the very ability of Pacific communities to meet their economic development needs. Agriculture and forestry underpin the livelihoods of a large number of people across the region and also account for a significant share of export income for most countries. It is vital that we understand how climate change will affect these sectors and what we can do to manage these emerging impacts. The devastation to Vanuatu’s crops and economic infrastructure caused by tropical cyclone Pam in March 2015 clearly demonstrates the potential consequences of the increased intensity of extreme weather events that will accompany climate change. It is essential that we identify measures to limit the impact of such events and ensure that food security and livelihoods are maintained.