Met data vital for success of Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Projects

By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV

5 July 2013, Nadi, Fiji - Having correct and up to date meteorological data is crucial in decision making, particularly here in the region, where many climate change related projects are underway.

Representatives of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) are in Nadi this week attending the Pacific Meteorological Council, where the importance of meteorological data to their work has been highlighted. (More on PACC below)

PACC Coordinator, Taito Nakalevu says climate data is crucial for any climate change project in the region.

Taito Nakalevu, PACC,  Project Coordinator

The PACC project in the Cook Islands has also found the importance of meteorological data for its project assessments.

Its pilot project on the island of Mangaia aims to build the resilience of the coastal community, including infrastructure.

Paul Maoate, PACC, Cook Islands

 For another small atoll island, Niue, maintaining water supply is crucial.

And that is one area that PACC is working on for the island of 2000.

PACC's water resource management program in Niue is focussing on developing rain water collection.

PACC is providing water tanks to each household.

Hadan Talagi, PACC, Niue

 Niue is also looking at weather data dating 50 years back to establish forthcoming weather trends in the country.

Hadan Talagi, PACC, Niue

In Vanuatu the PACC project is engaging communities to identify solutions for environmental challenges.

PACC Vanuatu’s coordinator says this has been done through extensive consultations.

Ian Iercet, PACC, Vanuatu

The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Australian Government (AusAID), with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as its implementing agency and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as implementing partner. The project is from 2009 to 2013. 

The PACC project covers 14 participating countries and helps develop three key areas that build resilience to climate change in Pacific communities: Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands focus on Food Production and Food Security; Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tokelau and Vanuatu are developing Coastal Management capacity; and Nauru, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu are looking to strengthen their water resource management. 

PACC assists Cook Islands improve public infrastructure on Mangaia

By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS  

2 July 2013, Nadi, Fiji -   A climate adaptation project to improve the strength and durability of Cook Islands port infrastructure on the island of Mangaia has been replicated in two other islands, says Paul Maoate.

Maoate is the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) co-ordinator in Cook Islands and is overseeing implementation of the project on the island of Mangaia. PACC is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). 

Maoate said two harbours in Mitiaro and Mauke are ‘following similar designs to Mangaia and there are moves now to also use the same design in the northern group.’

Mangaia, the second largest island in Cook Islands consists of raised coral limestone and is a narrow lagoon with a reef in close proximity to shoreline. It’s a coastal community made up of a population of approximately 300 people that is reliant on its wharf, import of resources, fuel, building material and goods and services for its community stores.

Its wharf, according to Maoate is not safe for vessels to load and unload supplies because of rough and unstable sea conditions.

“We are looking at climate proofing or strengthening the harbour to reduce remedial costs following natural disasters.

“Improvement designs include plans to accommodate safe usage during rough sea conditions. At present freight cannot off-load and on-load supplies of wind speed exceeds 15 knots, said Maoate.

“The harbour is the island’s main connecting point to Rarotonga’s shipping services. It is the centre-point for all cargo deliveries and the main launching and return point of the island community fishing vessels. Inter-island shipping vessel offload cargo onto the island barge that utilizes the harbour for docking purposes.

Future predictions based on the coastal calculator suggests that the whole Mangaia coastal front is prone to sea surges and in the next 20-50 years it can move further inland some 200 metres beyond where the current road is built.

“One of the possible options is for residents to relocate. It’s their decision and we will leave it to them. We also provide other options, which include strengthening their homes or building sea walls.

Another infrastructure under close scrutiny is the island’s airport runaway which is 15 metres above sea level.

“We are considering the option of relocating it because strengthening it is too costly. We can only do this with the support and participation of the local community, said Maoate.

An integrated coastal management policy will be prepared that will identify improved building design, future coastal protection, and relocation of residential homes, provide emergency road and improve the capacity of technical designers and village local planners.

“The PACC project has paved the way for government. It helps government identify the problem and puts aside funding to deal with the maintenance or overhaul of public infrastructures.

Mangaia has three main villages, namely Oneroa, Ivirua and Tamarua, all located along the coastal plains.

Loss and Damage - vital agenda item for the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands part of the huddle after AOSIS strategising

30 November, 2012, Doha, Qatar- The Cook Islands are expected to incur, on average, 5 million USD per year in losses due to weather-related events, making the loss and damage agenda a critical issue at the UN climate negotiations.

A World Bank report produced in 2011 as part of the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community provides alarming numbers for the island nation.

Cook Islands delegates are tracking Loss and Damage, working through the night on an agenda that has scheduled items through until 6.30am the next morning.

Loss and Damage is used in the United Nations Framework to the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to refer to a range of damage and permanent loss associated with certain climate change impacts. 

These can include impacts from extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones or floods and slow onset events such as sea level rise or ocean acidification.

The 2011 report that assessed the cost of natural disasters on the country revealed that over the next 50 years, the Cook Islands have a 50% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding 75 million USD and casualties in excess of 130 people.  There is a 10% chance of experiencing a loss exceeding 270 million USD and casualties in excess of 200 people. 

“This would not be acceptable losses for the Cook Islands,” said Ms. Ana Tiraa, Director of the Climate Change Division of the Office of the Prime Minister.

“The Cook Islands has set up a disaster trust fund to build resilience and reduce vulnerability with loss and damage from extreme weather events.  But, this will not be enough to help us deal with the current and future impacts and potential losses and damage to our economy, our homes, our livelihoods and our families. “

Ana Tiraa and Ewan Cameron during the early morning hours at the negotiations

Tiraa is following the Loss and Damage agenda item and is supported by Diane McFadzien, Ewan Cameron and Linda Siegele, all on the Cook Islands delegation.

The Cook Islands with the Alliance of Small Island States is calling for a three part international mechanism that addresses the loss and damage. 

They are seeking an insurance component funded by developed countries to provide insurance payments for climate related damage and loss of infrastructure, homes and crops including the loss of income from tourism.

Secondly, there is the call for a compensatory element to provide financial assistance to the Cook Islands and fellow Pacific island countries to deal with the unavoidable loss and damage caused by climate change.  This includes sea level rise that erodes the coast, freshwater sources and food crops contaminated by saline water and ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

Thirdly, a risk management component will enable, administer and support risk sharing and risk-transfer schemes for damage incurred by climate related disasters.  An example of this is support for planning the best location and design for a building that could avoid immense damage from a tropical cyclone.

“As a small island developing state, the Cook Islands is facing a big problem in loss and damage.  We know this.  The latest science shows us that climate change impacts are escalating in an accelerated manner,” said Tiraa. 

“The recent SREX report makes it clear that sea level rise will contribute to increased extreme coastal high water levels, coupled with the likely increase in tropical cyclone maximum wind speed.”

The SREX report is the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation by the Inter governmental panel on climate change.

Time is of the essence in negotiating an agreed text for final approval by all parties to the UNFCCC.  A few parties have come together to work overnight to produce a conclusion with a draft decision to be adopted by the Subsidiary Body of Implementation (SBI) tomorrow.  The SBI will then forward this to the Conference of the parties on the final day of the UN climate negotiations for all parties to adopt.

The 18^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change opened on November 26 and will close on 7 December.

Cook Islands needs the Kyoto Protocol

L - R Mii Matamaki, Peter Taivairanga, Myra Moeka'a-Patai of the Cook Islands

 28 November, 2012, Doha, Qatar - The Cook Islands is lobbying for a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol at the UN Climate Negotiations, the first commitment period runs out at the end of this year.

A second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol will help bring the level of greenhouse gas emissions to a peak before the year 2020 to limit global warming below 1.5 degrees which is what the Cook Islands is calling for, along with other 44 island nations under the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

“The Cook Islands would obviously like to see a second commitment period in place because the KP is the only international agreement that has robust mechanisms and a strong compliance system to ensure that countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Myra Moeka’a-Patai, the Head of the Cook Islands delegation.

“It’s a concern for us as we don’t see anything better in place.  A lot of the Annex 1 countries have opted to bring their commitments under the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change, but this Convention doesn’t have any compliance or legally binding target agreements.”

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement under the United Nations Framework to the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  It legally binds industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below the 1990 level between the five-year commitment period of 2008 to 2012.

The 1990 level is that of the greenhouse gas emissions recorded in the year 1990 and the five-year period 2008 to 2012 is the first commitment period.

“When the Kyoto Protocol was developed there was recognition the industrialised countries had a historical response.  As they went through the industrialised process first, they have been polluting for a longer time period so it was recognised that they would take the first steps,” said Ms. Diane McFadzien, the Climate Change Adaptation Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).  McFadzien is also on the Cook Islands delegation providing technical support and advice.

“Since that time the economies of other large countries have grown, raising their emissions to similar levels, which is one of the reasons why some countries aren’t committing to a second period, or ratifying the Kyoto Protocol.  They feel it’s not fair they have to take actions when others with similar emission levels are not taking action.”

During the UN Climate talks in Doha, the Cook Islands are taking part in the negotiations, hoping to bring about a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. 

“I think for us we really need to put a second commitment period in place, the island states are the most vulnerable to the climate change impacts despite only contributing to less than 1% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions,” said Moeka’a-Patai.

“We must remain hopeful.”

The Kyoto Protocol became a legally binding treaty on 16 February 2005, it came into force after two conditions were met;   it was ratified by a minimum of 55 countries and; it has been ratified by nations accounting for at least 55% of emissions from what the Protocol calls “Annex 1” countries – 38 industrialised countries given targets for reducing emissions, plus Belarus, Turkey and now Kazakhstan.

Samoa represents Small Islands Development States on Climate Fund committee

17 March Alofi, Niue - The Green Climate Fund of 30 billion dollars to address climate change in developing countries was a topic for discussion at the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue this week.

In terms of capitalization of the new Fund, Parties agreed that developed counties will “commit, to a goal of mobilizing jointly USD100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.”

In order for these funds to be spent and dispersed the Green Climate Fund must be designed by a Transitional committee which was an outcome of the international climate change meeting in Cancun this year.

Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi Elisaia, the Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations spoke to all participants about the Green Climate Fund. Samoa is the representative to the transitional committee on behalf of the Small Islands Developing States.

“Unless the Green Climate Fund is going to be designed in such a way to respond optimally and in an equitable manner to the uniquely Pacific climate change needs of our island countries, irrespective of our sizes, political and economic influence or our colonial past,” said Ambassador Elisaia.

“If it cannot guarantee that as a minimum, then maybe we should opt out and do something else more productive and useful for our people. But we are not self defeatist, and we thrive on being challenged. We must bring all our partners together, as cooperation, collaboration and partnership is important. We must move forward together on this.”

The Green Climate Fund was formed in the Copenhagen Accord and includes billions of dollars to be spent in 2010, 2011 and 2012 for tackling climate change. It is to be made up of new and additional resources and not be part of the AID funding that is already dispersed in the Pacific region.

The Transitional Committee will recommend for approval. to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on the Convention on Climate Change in South Africa at the end of this year, documents outlining operation of the fund.

Once complete, the next step is for Pacific countries to work to ensure the Green Climate Fund will work effectively in the region.

“We need credible data that can validate and support our argument for tailored modalities and a SIDS special window to respond comprehensively to our climate-related needs,” said Ambassador Elisaia.

“We can be passionate about our challenges and aspirations for all we can, but if we do not have hard data and well-thought our proposals to back up our arguments, no one in the Transitional Committee will take us seriously.”

The Pacific islands are clear as to their expectations of the new Green Climate Fund –

Chanel Iroi, Solomon Islands: “At this stage its welcome news, we have to work hard to make sure this fund has an expediting process, we want to make sure we can access the funds as we have a lot of experience with challenges in accessing funds. Hopefully the transitional committee will look at these issues as to how best these funds can be accessed so we can actually get the work happening on the ground.”

Ms. Tanai Temata, Cook Islands: “My expectation is that it’s an expedited fund we get it faster, quicker and easier to the countries. That’s my biggest hope so we can get things on the ground running.”

Ms. Luisa Malolo – Tonga: “I would like to see more implementation projects in terms of climate change projects we should try to minimize conducting so much consultation and awareness assessments before we can get the funds. From a country point of view we really want to see results happening on the ground.”

Funding fair at the PCCR

16 March Alofi, Niue - Bringing people together was one of the goals of the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable held in Alofi, Niue this week, and to help bring the donors together with climate change experts, a 'Funding Fair' was held.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) hosted a dinner and funding fair for all participants, allowing for countries and NGO’s to spend time with different donors to talk informally and discuss possible paths of collaboration together.

“It was very useful,” said Pasha Carruthers of the Cook Islands, “we met with the EU and AusAID, it was quick and useful to have that ‘face-to-face’ time and is much better than having endless presentations, it’s nice to have a conversation with our donors.”

She recommends the funding fair be a continuing component of the PCCR and to allow for SPREP to prepare for a more structured event in 2013.

Meetings with ADB at the Funding Fair

The Solomon Islands representative at the PCCR, Chanel Iroi also agrees the funding fair should continue, saying this regional gathering improves each time it is held.

“It shows the PCCR is a forum where the government, NGO’s, resident organisations and donors come together to deliberate and discuss a common goal which is effecting all of us in the region.”

“I think the funding fair is a welcome part of this forum because you talk directly to the donors, those who you get funds from the help you implement development projects in our country.”

It is not only the countries that found the funding fair an effective way to allow for information talks with donors, the civil society attending the PCCR also learnt a valuable lesson from the event and encourages SPREP to ensure this is to become a part of future forums.

“I learnt that NGO’s really have to be prepared, bring your proposals with you to these events,” said Ulamila Kurai Wragg of the Pacific Gender and Climate Change Coalition.

“NGO’s should not be scared of the funders or the amount of money you ask for, just make sure that when you ask for it you have the proposal ready and then take it to the funders in the manner that they would like to hear.”

During the dinner and funding fair hosted by SPREP, a presentation was made by the Global Environment Fund Adviser for the Pacific, Mr Joe Stanley of SPREP. He gave a brief overview of GEF funding in the region and a glimpse to the future path.

Donors present at the fund fair included the EU, ADB, AusAID, UNDP and UN REDD. The NGO, 350.org was also part of the fair, sharing information about their role and work in supporting the Pacific in addressing climate change issues.

Niue hosting the biggest climate change conference for the Pacific

10 March 2011 - Over 100 people will gather next week in Alofi, Niue to discuss an issue that is at the forefront of the region - climate change.

The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable (PCCR), held every two years, is bringing together participants from all the countries and territories in the region and the different organisations that have an interest in climate change and its impacts, seeking to help pave a way forward on how we address this.

Next week in Niue, it will also be an opportunity to hear of achievements made based upon the outcomes of the last PCCR which was hosted in the Marshall Islands in 2009.

“Climate change has always been a high priority for us, we are looking forward to people coming to Niue for the meeting and we hope the outcomes will be successful for everyone.” said Niue’s Premiere, Mr. Toke Talagi.

“In Niue we understand the importance of ensuring we can build our resilience through climate change mitigation and adaption, but we are also working to ensure that we can build our economic resilience and sustain our own developments over the long term.”

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has worked with partners over the past months to ensure the meeting has a regional view and input.

It is hoped the PCCR will bring about better dialogue and contact between professionals, technical officers and people who work on climate change. It is planned that these discussions will have a specific focus on areas such as the SPREP study on climate change finance.

“For SPREP it’s a very important meeting, we take the view that is a meeting for the region as we’ve worked with other regional agencies and key donors to collaborate on the agenda and we’ll continue to collaborate as we move forward,” said Mr. David Sheppard, Director of SPREP.

Mr. Andrew Yatilman, Director of the Office of Environment and Emergency Management in the Federated States of Micronesia is looking forward to the PCCR helping to open doors with accessing funding towards climate change adaptation.

“We have been doing planning and a lot of discussion in meetings over this month, but we notice that the actual implementation of adaptation projects is not happening because of no resources. We hope the meeting in Niue will come up with concrete actions on how to access funding towards climate change adaptation.”

The Cook Islands will also be attending the PCCR in Niue next week, and the new Government has put climate change as an issue of high priority for them and they are looking forward to a successful PCCR meeting.

“The environment is our number one asset, it underpins our tourism industry which is our number one economic driver and if we don’t look after it or fix it the problems associated with it very quickly, we put at risk our ability to earn through the tourism industry,” stated Mr. Mark Brown, the Minister of Finance for the Cook Islands.

For more information on the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable, 2011 in Alofi Niue, please visit: http://www.sprep.org/climate_change/PCCR/index.asp

The meeting will be held in Alofi, Niue from 14 to 18 March, 2011.

Youths mark 21,000 deaths with count

By Stanley Simpson, Climate Pasifika Media



Photos courtesy of Luana Bosanquet-Heays

 10 December, Cancun Mexico - Youths from all over the world – who have gathered in Cancun to push for action on climate change– have made a symbolic count from 1 to 21,000 to mark what they say are the 21,000 climate related deaths in 2010.

Holding banners that read ‘1.5 to stay alive’, ’21,000 climate related deaths in 2010’, and ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ youths linked arms and counted outside while country delegations negotiated and pored over the final text inside.

The counting – which is expected to take a few hours to complete - was intermingled with short statements – that allowed them to take a breather.

Photos courtesy of Luana Bosanquet-Heays

Young people from the Pacific involved in the count were Luana from the Cook Islands and Romina from Fiji.

“Right now I am angry – because there is no legally binding agreement so far,” says Romina Datt.

“The leaders are not stepping up to save us.”

“We are really wanting our leaders to take up action because so far there is nothing – they have made no commitments for us – and zero emissions have been cut out – and on the 1.5 degrees it was announced last week that it will be postponed to next year – so we are counting on that.”

Datt and other youth activists expressed disappointment that countries like Japan and the US were opting out of a legally binding agreement.

“The US and other rich countries don’t demand for the ‘best science’ when they allow corporations to drill for oil and conduct mining, yet they are demanding for the best science on climate change in order to take action. We already have the best science,” a youth rep said.

As this story was sent – the count continued with the youths reaching the 6,000 mark.

(Note: the protest could not continue, security had to remove the protestors from the conference grounds as the time they had on their permission form had lapsed)