Recently, Glen Craig, Chairperson of the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council (VBRC) – a CBi Member Network – was presented with the Vanuatu Presidential 2023 Medal by Honourable President Nikenike Vurobaravu, recognizing the private sector’s work on climate change. As a long-term partner of CBi and a fervent advocate for climate finance, business engagement in disaster management and community resilient, and more, Glen is an inspiration to all those who know him. We interviewed him as part of a new series featuring leaders in the disaster management space.
Why are climate finance and advocacy such important topics to you?
Climate change is an urgent threat facing island nations like mine, especially Vanuatu where I'm from. As a small island developing state, Vanuatu is ranked the number one country most at risk to natural disasters. So for me, climate change and its impacts have a very real and personal significance.
After each cyclone, we struggle to rebuild what was lost. Our coastal shores are being eroded by rising sea levels year after year. In Vanuatu, we live the experience of climate change every single day.
Those of us from frontline communities have a duty to advocate for climate action and investments that can protect our homelands. Climate finance focused on adaptation and resilience is crucial for small island states. And grassroots advocacy gives a voice to those experiencing climate impacts first-hand.
I feel passionate about championing climate finance and advocacy initiatives because I've seen how climate change threatens Pacific islanders' cultures, livelihoods, and futures. The stakes are too high to remain silent. That's why I'll continue donating my time and driving progress towards the climate action we desperately need.
How has your engagement in climate and disaster management evolved over the years? Can you share an example of how you/business has made a difference in this context in the past year or so?
My serious involvement with climate and disaster management began after Tropical Cyclone Pam devastated Vanuatu in 2015. Pam was incredibly destructive – it wiped out 95% of crops in affected areas, damaged or destroyed over 70% of health facilities and 50% of schools, and led to a 64% loss in gross domestic product (GDP).
At that time, I was focused on running my advisory firm. Organisations like the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council didn't yet exist. I sent my staff home for four weeks to restore their own homes while I dedicated myself fully to response efforts. I worked closely with Jotham Napat, then the Climate Change Director and now Vanuatu's Deputy Prime Minister, as we sought to assist the Government.
It was eye-opening. I saw firsthand the critical role the private sector could play and realized we desperately needed better coordination. There was tragic waste in the response due to lack of coordination. But the response was also extraordinary to witness.
In 2017, I was asked to join and chair the newly formed Vanuatu Business Resilience Council. We've since become active voices advising the Government, serving on groups like the Climate Finance Working Group and National Advisory Board on Climate Change. I've attended two COPs representing Vanuatu.
I had the privilege of being a member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Climate Diplomacy Taskforce, working towards an advisory opinion on the rights and obligations of developed states regarding climate change. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to be part of this team. On 29 March 2023, the collaborative efforts of the 18 ICJ Champion Nations and 132 Co-Sponsors culminated in the adoption by consensus of the Resolution at the UNGA to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ. The unanimous adoption of this historic Resolution stands as one of the highlights so far of my work on climate justice.
My work at Pacific Advisory is now much more climate-focused, working on various regional climate projects in project management, programme design, and implementation.
Has it happened before that the Vanuatu Presidential Medal be given to a business leader? How do you feel being the first / part of the business leaders recognized this way, and do you think it will impact the work you do?
Whilst not understanding the complete workings, as I understand, I was nominated from several members of the ICJ task force. I definitely wasn’t the first to be recognised, but it was an honour to receive the award. The President is a strong climate advocate, so it was especially rewarding to receive it from him.
What did you do before you moved to Vanuatu and became an entrepreneur?
I came from New Zealand, and I worked in the digital space. I had an interactive design agency and also had interests in a retail franchise.
What’s something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
I would advise him to read even more widely and deeply, especially books exploring philosophy, theories of change, and predictions about the future.
Though I've always loved reading, today's fast-paced world often keeps me from diving into meaty books. As a young adult, I had more free time that I could have used to build knowledge about complex issues shaping our world. An understanding of philosophical concepts, how change happens in societies, and expert forecasts about technology, climate, economics – these are skills for a lifetime.
Do you have a personal motto or life philosophy?
One quote that stands out to me is "How you do anything is how you do everything”. It means that we carry our attitudes and beliefs into every single action we take in life. All behaviour is belief-driven, so try as best as you can to be your best self. I don’t get it right nearly enough, but I use this to re-center when needed.
If you want to hear more from Glen…
- Read his article “Vanuatu and Climate Change: How The Most At-risk Country in the World Addresses the Challenge - How Vanuatu’s private sector calls on World Leaders & Business Leaders to do more and better for climate resilience”
- Watch his video interview about “The Climate Crisis in Vanuatu: Strengthening Business Resilience and the Local Response Capacity” (8min)
- Watch his video on how the Connecting Business initiative has helped Vanuatu and the VBRC change how they deal with disaster management (44s)