Seal the Durban Deal: Minister Fugui

Press release from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology

Solomon Islands Minister for Environment, Climate Change,
Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon John Moffat Fugui

Speaking at the High Level Segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, Solomon Islands Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon John Moffat Fugui, MP, said, “Africa is the undisputed cradle of humankind”.

“In Durban, we are gathered to write the next chapter in the story of our journey. This journey had started millions of years ago in Africa. Ironically, it is on African soil that the fate of humanity is to be sealed” said the Minister. He continued, “Today, we are presented that Opportunity” and we must “Seal the Durban Deal”.

The Minister is confident that Heads of States, Heads of Governments and Global Environment Ministers can depart Durban with a balanced outcome.  “We are leaders chosen by our people. As such, we have an obligation to do what is morally Right, Just, and Noble”. Hence, he went on to say, “delivering a balanced outcome depends on strong leadership by the Annex I Parties. It also requires Non-Annex I Parties, who are major emitters, to take on some of these responsibilities”.

The Minister continued, that, his delegation expects to depart Durban with the following outcomes in their brief cases:

• First, urgent actions have to be taken to reduce greenhouse emissions to desired levels. Solomon Islands wishes to ensure that the mean global temperature is reduced to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

• Second, we must ensure we have a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol with more ambitious targets.

• Third, we must ensure we have an inclusive mandate for a new legally binding instrument. This will complement the Kyoto Protocol with binding mitigation targets for those who are not party to the Kyoto Protocol and mitigation actions for major developing countries.

• Fourth, we must ensure the operationalization of a financial architecture provides a scaled-up financial support to vulnerable countries in order to respond effectively to the adverse effects of climate change. In Durban, an Agreement has to be reached to operationalize and capitalize the Green Climate Fund.

• And, Fifth, we must implement the Cancun Agreement.

Solomon Islands Minister for Environment, Climate Change,
Disaster Management and Meteorology, Hon John Moffat Fugui

On adaptation, the Minister said, Solomon Islands is implementing its National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPA). He also said that we are further implementing “the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project and the Adaptation Fund Board Project of which Solomon Islands is one of the first beneficiaries globally and the first recipient in the Pacific region to address Agriculture and Food Security. Here, faith-based organizations are involved. Here, also, gender issues are given high priority”.

On mitigation, the Minister went on to say that under the UN-REDD Program, Solomon Islands is developing a National REDD+ Strategy, which is a prerequisite for the REDD readiness. We have also completed our National Renewable Energy Strategy.

On mitigation, also, the Minister recognized that Taiwan is a major donor, providing renewable energy, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in the country. He requested, therefore, that the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat recognizes the contributions of Taiwan. “Like Palestine”, he said, “it is timely, just and proper if Taiwan is made an observer to participate in and contribute to issues of and solutions to Climate Change”.

The Minister went on to remind parties that Responsibility comes with Accountability. “Our children will hold us accountable if we don’t hear their silent voices. Our grandchildren will hold this against us, if we don’t hear their cries”, concluded the Minister.

For these reasons of inter-generational equity, the central message of Minister Fugui’s Statement to the High Level Segment of the Seventeenth Session of the Conference of the Parties and the Seventh Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol is that we must Save Tomorrow, Today! And Seal the Durban Deal!

Contact Person:

Rence Sore

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology

Mobile: + 27 (0) 76 355 3640

Email: psmecm@googlemail.com

Durban, South Africa

From Tuvalu to South Africa, battling climate change for survival

L - R Ms. Pepetua Latasi Tuvalu, Dr. Netatua Pelesikoti, SPREP

Durban, South Africa, 9 December - A young woman from Tuvalu sits at the head table during the climate change negotiations in Durban, South Africa, presiding as the Chair of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group.

She is one of a delegation of eight from Tuvalu that is here in Durban to raise their voice on behalf of their local communities in Tuvalu, calling upon the humanity of parties to the Convention on Climate Change at these negotiations, to consider what is at stake.

“In October this year Tuvalu declared a state of emergency because of a drought, we had a water shortage for six months. We have ongoing coastal erosion problems in Tuvalu and our water security is under threat as our water table lens is inundated with salt water,” said Ms. Pepetua Latasi.

“We are experiencing all these problems, and that is why it’s important for us to be here, to fight for our survival.”

She is no stranger to the climate change negotiations. She represented Tuvalu at the negotiating table first in 2004 for three years before leaving to further her education. Now, Ms. Latasi has returned to play a leading role within the halls of the climate change negotiations as Chair of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group.

This special group consisting of approximately 12 experts was established to assist the Least Developed Country parties to the United Nations Framework to the Convention on Climate Change in preparing and implementing their national climate change adaptation programe of work.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu has worked hard in the negotiations and this year is no different as the island nation endeavors towards an agreement in Durban, a new legally binding agreement to get all countries on board for deeper emission targets, agreement on a work program for Loss & Damage and to operationalise the Green Climate Fund so Small Islands Developing States can start to receive funds to help carry out adaptation work on the ground.

“I am happy to be back in process but was expecting more, that we’d get an agreement from this process. We are still being positive even though it is hard to stay positive, we are hoping for the best.”

Climate change collaboration across the oceans

L - R Dr Mark Bynoe, Dr Ulric Trotz, Mr David Sheppard, Dr Kenrick Leslie, Mr Taito Nakalevu

Durban, South Africa, 9 December - The Island Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa was a very successful partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C’s). 

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding this year to work closer together to address common climate change issues in the Pacific and Caribbean. 

During the UN Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa an Island Pavilion was established bringing the two regions together, hosting a series of side events and seminars on climate change issues and the implications for Small Island Developing States. 

Mr David Sheppard, Director-General of SPREP

“This has been an excellent start for collaboration for SPREP and the 5C’s on climate change,” said the Director-General of SPREP, Mr. David Sheppard.

“The partnership between the Alliance of Small Island States is strong, we are glad to extend this to other areas outside of the formal negotiation process.”

“This has been a fruitful unity, our plans for the future to learn from each other and provide support for each other will help strengthen our service we provide to the Caribbean,” said Dr Kenrick Leslie, the Director of the 5C’s.

Dr Mark Bynoe of the 5C's

Plans to work together in 2012 were discussed during a meeting between the two organizations. One of the key first steps will be an exchange between staff in the Pacific and Caribbean to take place within the next three months. This will help share experiences and strengthen the cooperation on key technical issues on climate change between the Pacific and the Caribbean.

For more information on SPREP please visit: http://www.sprep.org/

For more information on the 5C’s please visit: http://www.caribbeanclimate.bz/

Common statement by EU, LDC and AOSIS

Durban, South Africa, December, 2011 - The least developed countries, the Alliance of Small Island States and the European Union are united in their desire for an ambitious outcome in Durban. 

We believe that the world has had a lot of time to think. What we need is not more thinking. What we need is more action.

The gap between our ambitions and the current pledges is simply too wide. And we need not to remind anyone of the scale of climatic threats facing the most vulnerable countries in the world as a result of climate change. The facts are clear and we are still too far from where we need to be to secure the most vulnerable countries’ right to sustainable development.

The chance to reach our objective is getting smaller as time passes and we need to start this process today. For many countries, this is a matter of survival and this process should be able to deliver an answer to meet their worries.

We need to deliver in Durban. We are ready to operationalize the Green Fund and the other Cancun institutions; to deliver what we have already agreed in Cancun. But higher ambitions on mitigation action are crucial. What we need is to effectively stop climate change. And that can only happen if all parties to the UNFCCC process will be committed to concrete efforts.

Hence, we need firm and clear decisions mapping out next steps that deliver the ambition we need. This includes agreeing an amendment of the Kyoto Protocol for the second commitment period together with a robust mandate and roadmap for a legally binding instrument. Under this instrument, all parties to the UNFCCC need to commit, respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities.

The price of buying time is rising. Durban must deliver. The EU, LDCs and AOSIS are ready to undertake concrete obligations to manage the climate change challenge. We urge others to join.

‘No delays to 2020’

"This is reality and tomorrow is going to be worse than today.”- Hon. Col. Samuela Saumatua, Fiji's Minister of Local Government, Housing, Urban Development and Environment, speaking at an AOSIS Climate Change Press Conference in Durban.

Durban, South Africa, 7 December, 2011 - The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) are standing firm on their decision to reject any delays for a legally binding agreement starting after 2020.

Speaking at a press conference at the 17th Conference of Parties in Durban, South Africa, Grenada’s Foreign Minister Hon. Karl Hood and Chair of AOSIS said, “Speaking about 2020 at a time when anything should come into force is what we totally reject because we believe that we have all that it takes to begin the work right now, we believe that waiting is a disaster. 

“If we do not apply the break as it were and come back we will get to a point of no return so we cannot accept 2020 at any time at all to put anything into force because we believe the time is now. Any pledges, any targets must be based on some scientific analysis and the science has said to us that we cannot wait until 2020.”

Countries such as Barbados in the Caribbean, Tuvalu and Kiribati in the Pacific would be completely underwater with a sea level rise of more than two metres.

With a day left of the negotiations the AOSIS are maintaining their stand hoping on the countries political will to do the right thing for the survival of their countries.

“My question is – Is this COP 17 or will this be the ‘corpse’ the burial of this process? I hope we do not have to call the undertaker at the end of the day for a process that does not seek our political will.”

Fiji’s Environment Minister, Hon. Colonel Samuela Saumatua asked, “How long are we going to wait?”

“The science is telling us, reality is telling us, experience on the ground is telling us that the situation is not going to improve but we carry on as if we are almost blind folded; are we ostriches that we bury our head in the sand and pretend things are not as they are, this is reality and tomorrow is going to be worse than today.”

Climate Envoy from Barbados and Chief AOSIS negotiator on Finance Mr Selwin Hart shared same concerns saying that it is most unfortunate how the process is developing where many countries seem to think that the small islands have time on their hands when in fact they do not and action needs to be taken now and immediately.

“The positions of the AOSIS are guided by the impacts members are experiencing and the inherent dangers in postponing a comprehensive and ambitious response.

“We are very small countries, we don’t have any economic military or any other power to exert within this process, we just have the power of our situation and it is unfortunate how this process is developing.

“There is this impression that some of our positions are extreme and that we are isolated, no, most of our positions have the support of the overwhelming support of the parties.

The AOSIS is also pushing for a legally binding framework that will encompass all, including those who are not party to the Kyoto Protocol because the small island states believe the KP is no longer enough.

Press Statement: Tokelau at UNFCCC COP 17

Ulu o Tokelau, Hon. Foua Toloa addresses the room

Durban, South Africa, 7 December, 2011 - Tokelau is present at the COP 17 as part of NZ’s delegation. We associate ourselves with others who have called for clear outcomes in Durban to have a legally binding agreement of emission pledges from all countries. Additionally, COP17 should resolve to immediately operationalise adequate, sustainable and timely resources to urgently address national needs to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

We are here to convey the message that nowhere in all of these meetings, has Tokelau been able to have a voice in the policy development for adaptation and mitigation for climate change. We are part of that group of vulnerable nations most affected by climate change and yet do not have a presence within the formal discussions at the COP sessions and in the case of Tokelau, we are ineligible for Global Environment Facility funding.

However, Tokelau is acting responsibly and doing her part in mitigating for the impact of climate change. Despite our vulnerabilities, we are taking action.

By September 2012, Tokelau will be the first nation to be 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and coconut oil) efficient thereby fulfilling its global obligation. Tokelau will be number 1 in per-person reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the Pacific and the world.

The establishment of this renewable energy system will cost Tokelau $8.5 million of which $7m has been advanced against our future core budget by NZ and we are seeking funds to complete this portion of the project. Tokelau hopes it will be eligible to apply under the new funding mechanism, the Green Climate Fund currently being designed at COP17.

Tokelau is challenging the world in Durban to match or better the renewable energy targets we have set and will achieve by September 2012.

We cannot sit by and pity ourselves that we are amongst one of the first countries to go under water – the smallest and the lowest. We can make a difference and begin to do something about it today.

As stated by the Ulu o Tokelau, Hon. Foua Toloa at COP 17, Durban, South Africa. For any other clarifications contact Jovilisi Suveinakama, +6857771820 jsuveinakama@yahoo.com

Scenes from AOSIS

Durban, South Africa, 7 December - The Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) gathered in unity yet again last night to commemorate the work of Grenada and all members.  Grenada became Chair of AOSIS in 2007, next year the Chair of AOSIS will be held by Nauru.  Below are some images from the night.

Pasha Carruthers of the Cook Islands presenting Dr Spencer Thomas with a gift

Clare Aniterea of Kiribati performing

Ms. Sandra Tisam of the Cook Islands performing

Leon Charles with friends

L - R Coral Pasisi, Sandra Tisam, Ana Tiraa, Ewan Cameron

Enjoying the night

Dancing...Cook Islands style

Time to dine

Ambassador Dessima Williams of Grenada greeting guests

Grenada commemorates four years as Chair of AOSIS

Durban, South Africa, 7 December -

“Let’s fight the fight.  For the next two days let us not break and let’s hold together with one voice.  We are the only one group that remains together united.  In AOISIS if you touch one of us, you touch us all.” – Hon. Karl Hood, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Export Development and the Environment, Grenada.

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) gathered in unity yet again last night to commemorate the work of Grenada and all members.  Grenada became Chair of AOSIS in 2007, next year the Chair of AOSIS will be held by Nauru.



Team from Grenada

L - R Hon. Karl Hood, Grenada and H.E Sprent Dabwibo

Hon. Karl Hood, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Export Development and the Environment, Grenada

“If this process does not work we are willing to take it to the international court of justice.”

“Even though we leaving the Chair you still have our support, we will still be speaking but not from the Chair, we will still give our support to Nauru.”

“Thank you for your support over the years since we were the Chair of ASOIS.”

President of Nauru H.E Sprent Dabwibo



L - R Ambassador Dessima Williams of Grenada presented with a gift from Col. Samuela Saumatua, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment of Fiji

President of Nauru, H.E Sprent Dabwido

“This is my first COP but I am beginning to understand the enormous reason that Grenada has carried for the past several years. I would also like to recognize the efforts of Leon Charles who has maintained his steady hand on the rudder amid the chaos, Mr. Charles you have brought a depth of knowledge and understanding of the process to our group that has often left the rest of us in awe."

Nor can I leave out the unsung heroes of AOSIS team who have cemented this group together.”

“We will look to you Mr. Hood and your delegation to remain resolute in the face of countries trying to derail this process and we will be there in support of you in the final hours so we can make Durban a successful finish to a successful Chair.”

 Ms. Clare Aniterea of Kiribati representing the Pacific with a performance

Presentation of gift to Mr. Leon Charles

Mr. Leon Charles, Chief Negotiator of AOSIS

Mr. Leon Charles of Grenada, Chief Negotiator for AOSIS

"I have three thoughts to leave you with:

“Vision; when we started in 2007 we worked out that AOSIS has 120 people which put us on part with the bigger delegations and larger countries. We suggested the vision of one entity to focus on the items to move forward as one strong powerful group to cover every issue in an organized fashion.”

“Courage to change to do things differently when necessary; I encourage the group to be willing to look at new ideas and new ways of doing things. When circumstances change we must change to be effective.”

“Cooperation and teamwork; we can’t do this on our own, with 20 or 30 items you need a structure where information flows to the top.”

“It was a pleasure to serve you and we look forward to seeing AOSIS grow from strength to strength.”

Mr David Sheppard, Director-General, the Secreteriat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

David Sheppard, Director- General of SPREP

“A wise man once told me to go quickly you go alone, to go far, you go together.”

"Congratulations Nauru on your position of Chair, SPREP and fellow Pacific regional organisations are here to offer you support and assistance.”

More photos will be posted on the blog



Niue urges world leaders to leave legacy of action at climate conference

Premier of Niue (Left) and his delegation at UNFCCC COP 17

Durban, South Africa, 7 December -

“I find it appalling, really appalling that we can’t make a political decision on these matters, it’s a dreadful lack of understanding of our legacy as world leaders at this moment, particularly the large countries.”- Hon. Toke Talagi, Premiere of Niue

From the Rock of Polynesia to the Cradle of Humanity, the Premier of Niue has traveled far to present a firm message at the UN Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa.

 

Niue is a large upraised coral atoll in the Pacific that is home to less than 1,500 residents in 14 different village communities. For the people of Niue, like many other communities in Small Islands Developing States, the impacts of climate change are real and they are being felt now.

 

In 2004, Niue was struck by category 5 Cyclone Heta that caused major damage to infrastructure and agriculture estimated at NZD 37.7 million, which is close to three times the value of Niue’s GDP, highlighting Niue’s economic vulnerability to climate change.

 

“The politics of climate change is broken into three parts,” said the Premier of Niue, Hon. Toke Talagi.

 

“One is to do with the risk assessment of the information being given to us from scientists and whether it is perceived as low, medium or high. The second is in relation to risk assessment in terms of funding and the third is to do with the legacy of us Leaders at the moment with our respect to make decisions on climate change, or not.”

 

The Premier feels that some of the developed countries view the risk assessment as medium allowing for more time to continue the negotiations, whereas others view the risk assessment as high. It is this inability to agree that delays an outcome, continuing to disagree while the climate change problem grows worse and “nothing is done.”

The Alliance of Small Islands States has called for a Durban mandate to negotiate a new protocol under the climate convention by 2012 with ambitious mitigation goals consistent with holding warming below 1.5 degrees Celcius.

 

The new Protocol must include ambitious quantitative, national economy wide, legally binding targets for the developed countries not presently Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. It also means increasing the level of mitigation ambition by developing countries according to their different levels of capability and responsibility.

 

“We are the current cabinet of World Leaders, the legacy that we are leaving behind at this moment is the inability to make decisions that will enable us to respond to climate change and take collective action. We are not doing that therefore our legacy is unfortunately that we did nothing.”

 

To view all speeches made by Pacific Leaders and Ministers during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to the Framework on Climate Change please visit: https://unfccc.int/meetings/durban_nov_2011/statements/items/6584.php

"Pacific Climate Futures" launched in Durban

Durban, South Africa, 6 December - The UN Climate Change Conference in South Africa was the backdrop for the launch of two new landmark resources that have a crucial role for the Pacific region.

The report Climate Change in the Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research as well as the web-based projections tool, Pacific Climate Futures were the focus of a side event featuring the Hon. Greg Combet AM MP, the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency as well as the Vice Minister for Forestry and Climate Change from Papua New Guinea, Hon. Ronald Asik.

It was a full house for the special event that was a partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Pacific Climate Change Science Program.

Arrival of Minister of Forestry and Climate Change from Papua New Guinea



“As a minister, I am aware how important it is that scientific research is relevant to policy and provides useful information to assist decision-making,” presented Hon. Greg Combat during his opening statement.

“I am confident that this new research and accompanying information tools will be invaluable resources for climate scientists, communities and decision-makers in the Pacific to inform vulnerability analysis and priority setting and build resilience to future climate change.”

The Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency pesents keynote speech

The newly launched reports can be found at http://www.pacificclimatefutures.net/

“The importance of having a high credibility of science in our reports is clear, this is prominent in these newly launched materials.” said the Director-General of SPREP, Mr. David Sheppard.

“The role of partnerships and cooperation is significant to help us provide such important materials to help guide our climate change work in the region. We are appreciative of our partnerships that helped bring together and produce such extensive scientific reports.”

Full house at the side event

Australia has committed $328 million over five years to the Australian International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative with a key focus on least developed countries and Small Island Developing States.

Also featured during the side event were Scott Power, the Senior Principal Research Scientist and Research Manager of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as well as several Pacific island experts who have used the reports to help guide their work; Mr. Salesa Kaniaha the Manager of Climate Services of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazard Department and Ms Rossylynn Pulehetoa-Mitiepo, Coordinator of the Niue Climate Change Project, Department of Meteorology and Climate Change.

We’ll be bringing you more news on their presentations over the coming week.

There are two volumes to the Climate Change in the Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research. Volume 1 is a Regional Overview which provides an analysis of large-scale climate phenomena such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, seasonal variability and past climate trends and further develops regional climate change projections.

PACIFIC AT COP17: Nauru President calls for bold action

The President of Nauru, H.E. Mr Sprent Dabwido

Durban, South Africa, 6 December 2011 - The Pacific nations did not come to Durban to fail.

This was the assertion made by the President of Nauru, H.E. Mr Sprent Dabwido, at the opening plenary of the High Level Segment of United Nations Climate Change Conference today in Durban, South Africa.

President Dabwido was speaking on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), an informal grouping represented at the United Nations that includes Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

“Our conversation about climate change, and the challenge that addressing this growing crisis entails, has entered its third decade,” said President Dabwido.

“This audience is certainly aware of the worst consequences of inaction, though they are still worth repeating, so that we do not forget the magnitude of the task before us.”

Some 20,000 delegates, including seasoned international climate change negotiators from across the globe are in Durban this week for the UN Climate Change Conference. Outlooks have been mixed as negotiators stand their ground on key climate change issues.

“I am from the Pacific, and the 14 island nations in our group are often said to be on the “frontlines” of this struggle,” said President Dabwido.

“The combat metaphor is apt, because it is not an exaggeration to say that climate change is, for us, a matter of life and death.”

President Dabwido highlighted the plight of communities in Pacific islands that have been forced to flee their homes to escape rising seas.

“Unless bold action is taken, much of my region could be rendered uninhabitable within our grandchildren’s lifetimes.”

President Dabwido’s plea to COP17 was to firstly refocus the negotiations on mitigation and immediately begin a process to ratchet up the ambition of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that ensures the viability and survival of all nations.

“Next, we must have a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol with an enhanced set of rules to strengthen its environmental integrity” said President Dabwido. “Some may think we have the luxury of waiting until we build a new regime. We do not. The Pacific most certainly does not.”

President Dabwido also called for a “Durban Mandate” for a new, legally binding protocol to complement Kyoto, with binding mitigation commitments for non-Kyoto Parties and mitigation actions for developing countries, as well as the conclusion of all other elements of the Bali Action Plan.

“Along-side these three key priorities, we must complete the work begun in Cancun, notably the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Committee, and the work programme on loss and damage.”

The UN Climate Change Conference concludes this Friday with high hopes for ongoing political momentum and concrete outcomes around climate change mitigation, adaptation and financing.

PACC Countries Grateful to Donors



Minister of Tuvalu (centre) with members of the Tuvalu delegation

Durban, South Africa, 5 December 2011 - “We are very grateful to the Global Environment Facility, the Australian Government, the United Nations Development Programme and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme for the support that has especially been provided for the PACC Project.”

Speaking at the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Side Event during the 17th Conference of Parties in Durban, South Africa, the Minister of Environment for Tuvalu Hon. Apisai Ielemia expressed gratitude on behalf of his country and the Pacific region for the support given by the agencies in helping them adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“For us in the Pacific, the Small Island Developing States, climate change is strongly undermining our social and economic state, climate change threatens our source of livelihood and our very existence.

 

“The PACC funding comes from the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) of the GEF and it has helped the Pacific region move from assessments to capacity development and above all actual implementation on the ground.”

 

Tonga PACC National Coordinator Mr Paula Taufa said that through the PACC Project, the Hihifo community are able to address many of the challenges faced in their Water Resource Sector.

 

“With the PACC Project the reliability of the water supply will be significantly improved in six villages, the leakage ratio in pipelines will be reduced from the current 30-40 percentage range to 15 percentages, the salinity of underground water will be addressed and the efficiency of distribution of water will increased through this PACC Project.

 

“The adaptive capacity of the community will also increase and overall the water sector becomes more resilient to climate change.”

In the Solomon Islands, the PACC pilot site community has shown appreciation towards the options made available to them after consultation.

“In terms of food security, the community can identify problems and solutions to be implemented with the communities and climate change policy has been developed which has helped improve coordination of the project,” said Mr. Casper Supa, the National Coordinator from the Solomon Islands.

The National Management Unit in the Solomon Islands is using PACC to develop a longer term strategic and programmatic Vulnerability and Adaptation Plan for low lying atolls, and the lessons learnt contribute to the development of the national policy.

Mr Casper Supa of the Solomon Islands presenting during the side event

The Regional Project Management Unit continues to welcome other donors to use the PACC framework already in place in the member countries to carry out actual adaptation work on the ground.

“We have under the project fourteen Pacific Island Countries who are very new to the system, but we are building their capacity to take over the role of coordinating climate change adaptation efforts in their countries,” said Taito Nakalevu the PACC Project Manager.

“We have the PACC Project Framework to be able to deliver adaptation right down to the community level under the GEF UNDP funding and with AusAID now on board, and there are other donors that are welcomed to use this framework to carry out actual adaptation work on the ground.”

The PACC Project is implemented by UNDP in partnership with SPREP. It is funded by GEF and AusAID with support from the United Nations Institute of Training and Research.

Negotiating for our Pacific survival

Durban, South Africa, 5 December - It’s within small, hot rooms sometimes with fewer chairs than there are people, that the fate of the Pacific islands is being negotiated this week.

The UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa enters week two with negotiations moving slowly and the challenges being difficult. The calls for urgency from the Alliance of Small Island States are either not being heard, or are ignored.

Protesters call upon negotiators for a world with a future 

“We want to see something that will make sure that our islands, our people survive that the end goal is to keep global warming well below 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said Andrew Yatilman, Director of the Office of Environment and Emergency Management of the Federated States of Micronesia.

“What happens here in Durban is quite significant, if something actually happens here that would help prevent the negative climate change impacts to our vulnerable communities, it would save our people.”

The different negotiation themes are complex and web like with many different issues on the table, there is no one main meeting with one main battle.

For example some of the threads negotiated by AOSIS here is the call to operationalise the Green climate fund; ensure there is a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and; have a clear agreement that there will be a new legally binding protocol to complement the Kyoto Protocol with binding mitigation commitments for non-Kyoto parties and mitigation actions for developing countries as well.

While the Pacific region may contribute to 0.03% of the World’s total greenhouse gases which lead to climate change, we are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.



Andrew Yatilman with collegues at morning AOSIS plenary



"Coastal erosion is a big deal for us in FSM,” said Yatilman.

The Federated States of Micronesia is made up of 607 islands which culminate in 4 states; Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk, Yap that are home to a population of 110 thousand people.

“You can see some of our islands have infrastructure such as water tanks and some concrete structures that now sit in water, already useless. We have lost up to 10 meters to our shores in some areas with sea level rise. We are having more droughts that impact upon our farmers brining a loss of livelihood for them and we also sit in a typhoon belt which poses a destructive threat to us.”

Total annual emissions must be reduced to no more than 44 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide by 2020, and continue on a steep decline to keep warming well below 1.5 degrees. This is the temperature level that science has shown will help us avoid other devastating impacts.

Last year total annual emissions pushed 48 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide, and even if countries meet the reduction targets they made last year at the 16th Conference of the Parties in Cancun, the world does not met the safe level of emissions, setting the stage for a temperature increase of 3 degrees or more.

Many Pacific communities are experiencing the impacts of climate change now, unless we can negotiate to achieve the AOSIS ‘asks’ here in Durban, South Africa, life will only get worse for Small Islands Developing States.

“We want urgent action, that is been what we have been after all this time but knowing that this is a multi-lateral process where you have over 190 parties at the table discussing coming to an agreement it’s not an easy process.”

Climate Conversations - Staying positive as climate talks hit delays

Blog link:  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/blogs/climate-conversations/staying-positive-as-climate-talks-hit-delays/

By Ambassador Marlene Moses, permanent representative to the United Nations for the Republic of Nauru

One of the most frequent questions I am asked at the international climate negotiations goes along these lines: “How do you remain positive when you, a citizen and representative of a small Pacific island that could well become uninhabitable due to climate change, again and again face delays at the very talks meant to save you?”

The truth is, with reports from Nauru about water supplies running low, coastal areas washing away, and the sea rising, I fear for what my life and the lives of children from our region may be.

But, just when the reasons to despair stare me imposingly in the face, and the urge to give up swells inside me, I seek the presence of people of conscience, and I feel around me the optimism of youth, with its stubborn refusal to accept a fate forced upon it.

Last Friday I had one of those moments. I was honoured to join Ambassadors Dessima Williams of Grenada and Ronald Jumeau of the Seychelles at the “Rally for Survival” outside the UNFCCC climate talks being held here in Durban, South Africa.

We are representatives from island countries of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific regions, which comprise the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and our people are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The crowd reflected the world’s diversity and goodness. A New Zealander, Senegalese and Vermonter warmly greeted us and explained that, since there were no microphones, our words would be repeated for all to hear.

So human amplification echoed each sentence from our lips to the ears of the Indian, English, South African, Bolivian, Spanish, American, Australian, French, Brazilian, Chinese and all the others in the crowd and back to us again. I thought that maybe by repeating them again here, and sharing photographs and video, you might too feel what we felt.

'WE ARE ALL SMALL ISLANDERS'

Ambassador Williams began by telling the audience: “It is so wonderful to be surrounded by our friends in civil society. You are the conscience of these negotiations and we thank you for your steadfast resolve and support. It inspires us.”

I added: “We thank each and every one of you here today for being our conscience, and we’ll continue to be your voice inside those halls and the negotiating rooms… I want to thank you for your steadfastness, for your conscience and for your conviction… It gives us conviction.”

And Ambassador Jumeau followed on: “You have heard the message from the islands: from the Caribbean, from the Pacific, and I come from the Indian Ocean. The same message applies to the port city of Durban. If we go under, Durban goes under… During COP 17 we are all small islanders. So don’t save us. Save yourselves.”

This gathering - this Conference of People - reflects the increasingly rare and precious dialogue at these climate negotiations that keeps hope alive. It is the opposite of pessimism and the antidote to cynicism. It is the most important conversation in the world.

If there is one thing I know, influential voices here will tell us not to raise our expectations too high. They will tell us to be reasonable, given the current economic and political contexts. The temptation will be great to take the advice, in the hope we might get something better in the future, or the fear that it is the best we will get today.

But life is characterised by uncertainty. There is no guaranteeing that economic and political conditions will be any more conducive to an agreement five or ten years from now than they are today. Indeed, given the worsening impacts of climate change, things could very well get worse.

The truth is that, unless things change quickly, we will in all likelihood bequeath the next generation a world with many more droughts and famines and floods, and fewer rainforests, coral reefs and cultures.

In light of this reality, we should never be ashamed to demand what is required for our survival. The science again and again points to the same number: 350 parts per million, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is consistent with keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees and that gives us a realistic chance at survival.

It is the responsibility of the leaders at these talks to be guided by the best available science and the principles of the Convention to which we have all agreed and, as the rally so poignantly reminds us, it is the responsibility of people of conscience to accept nothing less.

Ambassador Marlene Moses is the permanent representative to the United Nations for the Republic of Nauru and Chair of the Pacific Small Island Developing States. Next year she will Chair the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).