At Palau’s Office of Climate Change (OCC), the Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme’s (CFCSP) flexible approach to embedded support is helping to strengthen the systems, skills and partnerships needed to manage climate data and meet the country’s climate commitments.
Working side-by-side in the Office of Climate Change, Data Analyst Steve Moruri and Mitigation Specialist Tim Murphy are combining their skills to support the OCC as it seeks to improve how it manages climate data, monitors progress against national climate commitments, and builds systems that will make reporting more efficient and sustainable over time.
National Climate Change Coordinator and Head of the OCC, Xavier Matsutaro said the flexibility of the CFCSP model was helping turn technical advice into practical, day-to-day support that strengthens both systems and people.
“I’ve always believed that chemistry is critical, and seeing Steve and Tim work together and combine Steve’s technical ability with Tim’s versatile experience has been a huge asset for our office. Their partnership has noticeably improved our long-term capability and provides the technical backing I need to feel comfortable that we are meeting and continue to meet Palau’s climate commitments.”
-Xavier Matsutaro, National Climate change Coordinator and Head of the Palau Office of Climate Change
Steve and Tim are focused on improving climate data management and reporting systems, including strengthening greenhouse gas inventory processes and developing practical tools that can support Palau’s reporting obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
This includes work on data systems that could support tracking progress against Palau’s Nationally Determined Contribution commitments, making it easier to update information, generate reports and improve coordination across government agencies. Their work is also helping position Palau to connect with larger regional and international initiatives focused on climate data, transparency and systems strengthening.
For Steve, who has led improvements to data management systems within the OCC since November 2024, having Tim in the office has added a new dimension to what is possible.
“Tim brings a lot of experience across different areas, from GIS and forestry through to databases and systems thinking. It is good to have someone here to bounce ideas off and work through how we move things forward. That experience has brought another level of thinking to the work we are doing, not only for me, but for our OCC colleagues across the office as well. It gives the work a stronger chance of succeeding over the long term.”
– Steve Moruri, Data Analyst
Tim joined the OCC in February 2026 and has worked across a range of mitigation and systems-focused priorities, from supporting Palau’s long-term low emissions development strategy to identifying practical energy efficiency opportunities and contributing ideas to strengthen national climate data systems.
A key part of his role has also been mentoring and knowledge sharing.
“Part of my role is to support Steve as much as I possibly can. That includes day-to-day sharing of ideas, working through problems together, and helping build capability wherever I can. Steve is someone who wants to learn and grow, and that creates a strong foundation for this work.”
-Tim Murphy, Mitigation Specialist
Together, Steve and Tim are exploring ways to move beyond one-off climate reporting exercises and build practical systems that can be updated and used again and again. The intention is to create a stronger platform and process for Palau’s climate reporting and planning.
Their collaboration reflects the strength of the CFCSP model which is built around embedding flexible technical support within government systems so personnel can respond to evolving priorities, work alongside government counterparts and contribute where support is most needed.
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Feature image – From left: Palau National Climate Change Coordinator and Head of the OCC, Xavier Matsutaro; Mitigation Specialist, Tim Murphy; Data Analyst, Steve Moruri; CFCSP Implementation Lead, Stephen Boland