Ocean depth and ice no longer a barrier to Climate change

04 April 2011 – PACNEWS

A climate change science programme generating unprecedented   volumes of data is about to venture deeper and into previously hidden corners of the world oceans to confirm rising ocean temperatures, a climate change conference, Greenhouse 2011 was told

Most excess heat being absorbed by the earth is stored in the oceans, and half of this excess heat has gone into warming the southern hemisphere oceans.

“Within a decade, scientists will be receiving a three dimensional view of the ocean from the surface to the seafloor and beneath expanding and retreating sea ice from a new generation of sensor equipped robots,” says U.S Oceanographer Dr Dean Roemmich.

Dr Roemmich from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was speaking at the Science of climate change conference, GreenHouse 2011 in Cairns, Australia

 “In the past 10 years scientists have constructed a 30 nation comprehensive observing systems that has altered what we know of the oceans from the surface layer down to 2000 m and the major influences they exert on the global climate change. 

“Below those surface layers the scientific ‘dots’ have been sparse but we Are now looking at the opportunity to join them together and expand our knowledge of all the ocean processes – their deepwater circulation patterns, temperatures and salinity  and the manner in which they can store away carbon and  other greenhouse gases.

“Because 90 percent of the excess heat being absorbed by our planet is stored in the oceans with comprehensive measurements of ocean temperature we are now able to describe the global pattern of climate warming.

“Moreover, a finding from our data is that over half of this excess heat has gone into warming the southern hemisphere oceans between 30S and 60S,” Dr Roemmich said

Dr Roemmich said with each robotic profiler reporting every 10 days, and some having done so for the past seven or more years, scientists now have access to an unprecedented bank of ocean data that will expand as new censors are tested and installed in new deployments of profilers.

For example, he said additional oxygen sensors will indicate sub-surface change that has implication for ocean productivity and the security of food supplied by the oceans.

“We now have a 140 year historical record of ocean temperatures, from the first purely oceanographic voyage by the Challenger in the 1870s through to today with ocean profilers below the surface and satellites generating constant surface information.

“It is beneath the ice and those deeper corners of the ocean where we need to be now focusing our attention as engineers and oceanographers,” Dr Roemmich said.

PACNEWS coverage of the Science of Climate Change, GreenHouse 2011 conference in Cairns, Australia is made possible with funding assistance from CSIRO Australia under the Pacific Climate Change Programme.

 

Australian government committed in tackling climate change: Combet

04 April 2011 – PACNEWS

By Pita Ligaiula, in Cairns Australia

The Australian Minister for Climate Change says the Australian Government is committed to addressing climate change and reducing Australia’s carbon pollution.

Greg Combet, while opening the Science of Climate Change, GreenHouse 2011 meeting underway in Cairns says human activity is causing carbon pollution which is leading to climate change.

He warned that if action is not taken to reduce emissions, climate is likely to change in ways that present grave risks to our economy, our environment, and our way of life. 

He said the Australian Government recognise the contribution that scientists are making in progressing their understanding of climate change.“Robust science is vital to understanding, and therefore appropriately managing, the impacts of climate change.

“Communicating climate change science accurately and effectively is equally important. “We must move beyond the baseless attacks on the science of climate change, and enable this fundamental issue to be better understood across our community, he said.

He said uncertainty about the specific nature of future impacts does not undermine certainty about the fundamental conclusions of the climate science, or the need to take action. To borrow a line from Professor Will Steffen, “The scientific basis and imperative for rapid and vigorous action to reduce emissions is overwhelming”.

“Unfortunately though, the confusion in the community has in part been fuelled by a small number of scientists and commentators – few of whom have relevant credentials – continuing to question the climate change science, even as evidence to the contrary grows in strength”

He said the Australian Government has established the Climate Commission to provide expert independent advice and information on climate change to the Australian community. “I also extend the invitation to all scientists to help build community consensus on climate change, Combet said.

“In the current circumstances it is perhaps more important than ever that scientists are actively engaged in the public discussion on climate change, by injecting fact-based, rational arguments into the debate. “I also recognise the frustration that these attempts are often met with. I would like to call on every one of you to continue in your efforts and to communicate climate change science at every opportunity, to refute misinformation and baseless remarks in the popular media.

Combet said an open and fact-based public debate is critical to building the consensus needed to support strong action on climate change.

The above photo of the Minister of Climate Change & Energy Efficiency was sourced from the Australian Government website.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/minister/greg-combet/2011/media-releases/May/20110504.aspx

Dr Roemich – Scripps Institution of Oceanography

04 April 2011 – Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation

The Greenhouse 2011 Conference has been told that a climate change research program is about to venture deeper into the previously hidden corners of the world’s ocean to confirm rising ocean temperatures.

In his presentation this morning Doctor Dean Roemich of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the United States says the most excess heat absorbed by earth is stored in the oceans and half of this excess heat warms the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr Roemich says within a decade, scientists will begin receiving a three dimensional view of the ocean from the surface to the seafloor and beneath expanding and retreating sea ice from a new generation of sensor equipped robots.

He says in the past 10 years scientists have constructed a 30 nation comprehensive observing system that has altered what we know of the oceans from the surface layer down to 2000 metres and the major influences they exert on the global climate system.

The visiting US Oceanographer says because 90% of the excess heat being absorbed by our planet is stored in the oceans, with comprehensive measurements of ocean temperature, they are now able to describe the global pattern of climate warming.

He says their findings is that more than a half of this excess heat has gone into warming the Southern Hemisphere oceans between about 30S and 60S.

Dr Roemich jointly leads the robotic research program called Argo with an Oceanographer from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Program’s Wealth from Oceans Flagshi , Dr Susan Wijffels.

Coverage of the GreenHouse2011 conference in Cairns written by Rozalee Nongebatu of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

04 April 2011 – Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation

The Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency says the Australian Government is committed to addressing climate change and reducing Australia’s carbon pollution.

The Minister, through a televised recording opened the Greenhouse 2011 conference and said Australia accepts the fundamental conclusions of science that human activity is causing carbon pollution leading to climate change.

Minister Combet says if action is not taken to reduce emissions, Australia’s climate is likely to change in ways that present grave risks to the economy, environment, and their way of life. 

He says while the consensus the scientific community is clear, the consensus within the broader community is not clear.

Meanwhile in concluding his speech Minister Combet says robust science is vital to understanding, and therefore appropriately managing, the impacts of climate change. 

The above photo of the Minister for Climate Change & Energy Efficiency was sourced from the Wikipedia website. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_for_Climate_Change_and_Energy_Efficiency_%28Australia%29

 

CSIRO boss backs carbon price

04 April 2011 – PACNEWS

                           

04 APRIL 2011 CAIRNS (ABC NEWS) The head of Australia's leading science body says a carbon price should be a key part of the nation's overall climate action.

CSIRO chief Dr Megan Clark will today join 600 of Australia's top climate change scientists at a meeting in Cairns to update the latest observations.

Dr Clark says global warming is one of the most challenging issues facing humanity and needs careful consideration.

"It's an urgent issue, but it is also a very complex one and one that will affect us, not just in this country, in all aspects of society, but probably one of the most challenging issues we have ever faced as humanity.

"

It does need careful consideration and it does need debate.

"We need to debate the issue, come to grips with the issue, and it's an important part of us coming to grips with it and stepping forward."

Dr Clark has welcomed the pro- and anti-carbon tax rallies, saying she is not concerned the science may be overlooked as the political battle focused on the carbon tax.

"Clearly we need a price on carbon and a policy response, but we also need sustainable technologies that will take us into a low-carbon future and also our change in behaviour," she said.

"We have put a price on water and we've seen efficiency changes of between 30 and 50 per cent in some areas.

"With water we've seen behavioural change in how we use that, so in a way we have already worked through it as a nation."

Despite recent criticism, Dr Clark says the CSIRO will continue to offer observations and clarity on the science of global warming.

"Our role as the leading science agency in the nation is very, very clear, and that is to make sure we provide to the community, to industry, to government and policy makers, that we provide clarity on the observations," Dr Clark said.

"We will continue to put forward that information and make it available for everyone."

Effects showing

Scientists from 14 Pacific island nations plus East Timor will also attend the climate conference in Cairns and share their latest research findings.

The islands of the Pacific are among those nations most vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change, whether it is inundation caused by sea level rises or food shortages.

Ofa Fa'anunu, Tonga's director of meteorology says there is no doubt climate change is affecting the Pacific.

"We're starting to see some effects of especially sea level, some extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, starting to show some more effects especially in low-lying areas," he said.

"In some of our smaller islands, [we're] seeing inundation from storm surges starting to become a problem. There are some other indications as well in how well the soil is doing for agriculture."

He says young people educated about science usually understand the technical explanations but older generations are more likely to be skeptical.

Dr Gillian Cambers, manager of the Pacific Climate Change Science Program, says scientific research presented at the conference should help to promote understanding.

"Global average temperatures since the mid-20th century - they've risen and that this is very likely due to the increase in carbon dioxide that's been generated by humans," she said.

"So our findings verify this. If we take the area of sea-level rise, it's already rising and it will continue to rise as we go into this century and continue to the end of the century.

The above of of Dr Megan Clark, Chief Executive and CSIRO Board member was sourced from the CSIRO website.  http://www.csiro.au/people/Megan.Clark.html

Climate Change - A Pacific Islands perspective

31 March 2011 - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) 

Representatives from 14 Pacific island countries and East Timor will attend the GREENHOUSE 2011 conference in Cairns next week to discuss regional and global climate change issues with some of the world’s leading experts.

Drawn mainly from their nations’ meteorological services, the region’s delegates will attend the conference as part of the Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP).

The PCCSP is a component of the Australian Government’s International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, which is helping vulnerable developing countries meet high priority climate change adaptation needs.

“The PCCSP will provide scientific information to help decision-makers in the Pacific and East Timor better understand how their climate and oceans have changed and how they may change in the future,” says PCCSP Manager, Dr Gillian Cambers.

“This ‘underpinning’ science will then be used to support future adaptation decisions.”

Dr Cambers will present a keynote address on the final day of the conference (Friday, 8 April) entitled; Advancing climate change science in small tropical island nations – challenges and risks.

The Programme Manager, Pacific Futures, for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Dr Netatua Pelesikoti, will discuss the role of climate science in informing climate change adaptation and disaster risk management decisions.

Each of the 15 nations will present research about their current climate at the conference.

The PCCSP is being implemented by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO through their partnership in the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research.

Media are invited to attend:

What:                         Australia’s premier climate change conference – GREENHOUSE 2011

When:                        4 - 8 April, 2011

Where:                      Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Queensland

The above photo was sourced from the CSIRO social network page within the photo album.  

A Successful Pacific Climate Change Roundtable ends in Niue

17 March, Alofi, Niue - The Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue has come to an end. Four days of intensive deliberations on climate change issues has provided a clear way forward for the region.

In his closing statement today, Hon. Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue expressed the need for politicians and government leaders to be involved in the discussions in future as they help drive climate change issues on the international scenes.

L - R Mr. David Sheppard, Director, SPREP - Hon Toke Talagi, Premier, Niue

His Government and country were commended for their generosity and welcoming spirit, providing a friendly backdrop to the discussions, by the Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Mr. David Sheppard.

One of the key outcomes of the PCCR is it has a steering committee to ensure effective coordination and collaboration which will continue to play a role after the roundtable. One of the major aims of this Roundtable is its’ intention to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. This was made clear with the participation of the civil society, donors, development partners, country participants - all stakeholders were welcome to attend this conference.

“Ambassador Feturi (H.E Aliioaiga Feturi Eisaia) reminded us that “No-one has a monopoly on good ideas”. Everyone has been able to participate here as equals – this Roundtable has provided a neutral forum for the exchange of ideas and experience,” said Mr. Sheppard in this closing statement.

“When we look back at the last roundtable we can see that the focus has shifted from process to substance. Congratulations to you all.”

A Terms of Reference was endorsed for the Roundtable. The living document will be adapted in line with changing circumstances.

Coordinators and terms of References were formed for the four working groups – mitigation, adaptation, climate change resources, and climate change information and knowledge management. During the PCCR, the working groups met to provide clear and practical recommendations that link with existing processes in the region. For example, the Climate Resources working group will provide input to and support the existing processes led by the Pacific Forum Economic Ministers Meeting.

“In terms of the agenda and outcomes, this time there was much more involvement of Governments, NGO’s, development partners and as a result of that the discussion was much more focussed and useful,” said David Sheppard.

“There was good discussion on a lot of key issues like financing, adaptation, mitigation and I think most importantly we have a clear way forward, we have working groups, each working group has good leadership with clear and effective work programmes. So I think this really reinforces the PCCR as the premiere forum for discussion of climate change issues in this region.”

The next Pacific Climate Change Roundtable will be held in 2013 the venue of the next meeting is still not confirmed.

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.”

Climate change meeting in Niue welcomes local culture

16 March, Alofi, Niue - The Leviatana Dance Team from Alofi South in Niue has been a vibrant part of the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable this year. Featuring as entertainment during evening events and side events, the team of young dancers have impressed all with their skills.

Originally formed 20 years ago, the cultural dance team began as a way to bring young people together and help develop their skills. The name of the dance team encompasses all that the group stands for – community spirit, unity and strength.

“We try to get our young people to know more about us here at home, instead of watch the talents of those overseas on TV,” said Sinahemana Hekau one of the choreographers of the dance team.

“We wanted to bring the young people together and fill a gap and give them the opportunity to learn about Niue culture and develop their skills.”

 The team is made up of young boys and girls from Alofi South, to perform traditional chants prepared by the elders in the village, dance Niue cultural items and help to keep the Niue history and culture alive.



"We perform to songs about the environment we’ve performed dances about the wind, the land and the ocean so we acknowledge our environment and how valuable it is to us as Pacific islanders.”

Pacific Climate Change Roundtable welcomes input from the Civil Society

Rev. Tafue Lusama meets with 350.org

17 March, Alofi, Niue - The voice of the Civil Society is being raised loud and clear at the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue this week.

Ensuring the PCCR is an ‘all inclusive’ gathering, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) funded several NGO representatives to be a part of the Pacific meeting on climate change. They are also joined by other NGO’s who are present at the PCCR.

“I think that it is a good reflection on the efforts that we made to try and bring civil society representatives here to Niue,” said Espen Ronneberg the SPREP Climate Change Adviser.

“With the strong representation of the NGO’s present, I think that can only improve the work of the Roundtable, and we need to try and keep up this momentum.”

The Pacific Climate Action Network was given a separate speaking slot on the PCCR agenda, presenting during the session that focused on preparations for the next climate change conference of the parties in Durban this year, the host of the next Climate Change Conference of the Parties.

“We need to keep the cooperation between the NGO’s and the governments of the Pacific,” said Rev. Tafue Lusama the Chairman of the Board for the Pacific Climate Action Network.

“We recognise the need to be together as one in raising our climate change as we can’t afford to have different voices.”

CAN Pacific is a network of member organisations from all over the Pacific committed to combating negative impacts of climate change. It began with two organisations, the Tuvalu CAN and the Cook Islands CAN and has now grown to seven organisations including Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Niue and New Zealand.

The vision of CAN Pacific is to – ‘strive actively towards achieving the protection of the Pacific and global climate in a manner which promotes equity and social justice between peoples, sustainable development of all communities, and protection of the Pacific environment.’

The key priorities of CAN Pacific are to continue working with the Pacific governments, lobby the issue of gender and climate change to be fully recognised in the Pacific region and within the process of the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and thirdly to encourage aid funds that come into the Pacific be for projects ‘on the ground’ that benefit local communities and are not spent on consultants and further planning.

“I find this inclusive approach that got us here very interesting and encouraging, it shows there is an open window for us to work closely with regional bodies and our national governments and we’d love for this to continue. Discussions in the meeting are really interesting and we’ll try our best to do our NGO part.”

Updated action plan on Pacific climate change to be released



The Pacific Climate Change Rountable, Alofi, Niue

16 March, Alofi, Niue - The Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006 – 2015 is a document that was at the centre of discussion at the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue.


The PIFACC (as it is known) is a regional plan that aims to ensure the Pacific Island peoples and communities build their capacity to be resilient to the risks and impacts of climate change by helping to drive concrete actions in different areas.

These are; implementing adaptation measures; governance and decision-making; improving our understanding of climate change; education, training and awareness; contributing to global greenhouse gas reduction; and partnerships and cooperation.


The PIFACC underwent a review in 2010 to gauge the effectiveness of this plan and to analyse how it is being used by countries and regional partners.


It was found that the PIFACC was a useful document but it had low awareness and limited use.


“It became evident that many of our countries are using the PIFACC to guide their national climate change policies, not all of them are doing so,” said Espen Ronneberg the Climate Change Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

“Regional partners are often referencing the framework in their proposals but it is not always fully incorporated in them. There is a need for a streamlined approach to ensure the PIFACC is truly implemented by the different activities at the regional level and the benefits to the countries are in line with the national priorities outlined in the framework.”

During the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue, all participants were brought up to date on the progress of the PIFACC review and the response to the recommendations from the review.

A monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of the PIFACC is to be included, along with a more user friendly executive summary and the inclusion of national and regional outputs.

In other words, the PIFACC will become more useful and relevant for the Pacific region.

“The Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change is driven by national priorities. We’re trying to find the best way that the regional level of activities can support the national climate change priorities and be targeted towards country needs.”

It is planned the new PIFACC will be ready by June this year.

The Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC) can be found at: http://www.sprep.org/climate_change/pycc/documents/PIFACC.pdf

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.

Tonga presents at Pacific Climate Change Roundtable

15 March, Alofi, Niue - Tonga’s achievements towards addressing climate change as a nation was showcased during the Pacific Climate Change Roundtable in Alofi, Niue.

The Kindgom of Tonga is the first of the Pacific members of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to produce a joint national action plan for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

The action plan was approved by Cabinet in Tonga in July last year.

The plan has helped bring two separate bodies together that work on similar issues to work in a more unified manner under the one action plan that covers all sectors, instead of working independently and often duplicating efforts. It addresses issues in relation to climate change, sea level rise, extreme events and geological hazards.

“This plan started with political support in 2009,”said Lupe Matoto of the technical and sustainable development division in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Luisa Malolo, Lupe Matoto, Dr Netatua Pelesikoti SPREP, Saia Kami PACC Coordinator Tonga

“We also carried out a lot of consultation with stakeholders, nationally we haven’t been so quiet, and we have achieved a lot in terms of collaboration with other stakeholders.”

The Vision of the Joint National Action Plan (JNAP) on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management for Tonga is to ‘promote and ensure safe, healthy, secure and resilient communities to climate change impacts and disaster risks’.

The plan has six goals in all covering good governance, enhanced technical knowledge and an increase in education and understanding of the JNAP, analysis and assessment of climate change impacts and disaster risk, enhanced community preparedness and resilience to all disasters, technically reliable, economically affordable and environmentally sound support to Tonga and strong partnerships between government agencies, NGO’s and private sectors.

“In preparing this plan we learnt that you need really good teamwork for this to work well, teamwork and strong partnerships. It is also best if there is direct involvement of the communities in project activities to ensure ownership and there is a real need for donor coordination to avoid duplication.”

Other major achievements by the Kingdom of Tonga include the passing of two legislations, one being the Environment Management Act 2010 which has led to the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Renewable Energy Amendment Act 2010 and the Tonga Energy Roadmap 2010 – 2020 was formed which steps out the plan for Tonga to use more renewable energy.

Tonga has completed their second national communications, a report which is required under the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which will be submitted to cabinet for endorsement.

“We’ve taken the first step, now we need to follow through and carry out this work. We’re hopeful that partners will take our JNAP and other related action plans on board to see how we can all work on this together.”

The Kindgom of Tonga has also established a Parliament Standing Committee for Environment and Climate Change which will discuss any issues on a cabinet level to fast track any outstanding issues on climate change. Every quarter the Ministry on Environment and Climate Change will host a national climate change roundtable with resident donors and all relevant stakeholders, the first one was held last year with the next climate change roundtable to be held next month.