Pacific Environment and Climate Change Outlook launched

Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV, Doha, Qatar

28 November 2012, Doha, Qatar - The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme launched its Pacific Environment and Climate Change (PECC) outlook in Doha

 

The Outlook is a review of the state of climate in the region for the past 20 years

The Outlook outlines physical, geological, socio economic and political aspects of climate change and environment.

The Outlook also identifies some of the areas in the region that still needs improvement in monitoring climate change impacts.

There is a need for more capacity building and strengthening of technical areas such as early warning systems and meteorological services in the region.

Pacific Environment and Climate Change Outlook Report

28 November 2012, Doha, Qatar - An increasing population, economic vulnerability, exploitation of natural resources, energy consumption and climate variability and change are the main drivers of negative change in the Pacific environment.  These are outlined in the Pacific Environment and Climate Change Outlook, launched at the UN climate talks in Doha, Qatar this week.

The experiences of over 500 communities from 22 pacific island countries and territories are included in this report. It examines national and regional progress and experience in implementing sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges over the past 20 years.

Climate change not only has direct impacts on people and the environment, but is exacerbating pressures on the Pacific Island ecosystems and natural resources caused by unsustainable consumption and production.

The livelihoods of 10 million people are becoming increasingly vulnerable with the low-lying islands in particular facing projected losses of up to 18 per cent of GDP due to climate change.

“The findings of the report emphasise more than ever the need to “raise the bar” through collective actions that address the regions environmental and development needs at all levels,” presented Dr Netatua Pelesikoti at the Pacific side event which launched the report.

“It underlines the critical role of strong national and community level institutions and the importance of effective individual and collective involvement in all aspects of environmental action.”

The Pacific Environment and Climate Change Outlook was developed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme and other partners.  Closer collaboration between SPREP and UNEP is the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October.

“This report provides concrete evidence of how the livelihoods, food and freshwater resources of Pacific Islanders are under threat, and underlines that the Pacific is at the front-line in the battle to cope and adapt to climate change,” said Dr Volodymyr Demkine of UNEP at the launch of the Report.

The report also highlights a number of successful legal, policy and planning initiatives that have had a significant positive impact on the environment.

These include the development of community conservation areas, in particular networks of locally managed marine areas; the establishment of national waste reduction and recycling measures; the conservation of energy and water resources; the development of renewable energy sources; the promotion of tree planting and reforestation programs; and the mainstreaming of environmental considerations into development plans.

 “UNEP applauds SPREP, the Pacific Island Countries and Territories and regional partners for their collaboration and endorsement of this assessment, and for already beginning to act on the findings.  We look forward to our strengthened collaboration that will benefit the global as well as regional environment and improve the well-being of Pacific Islanders,” presented Dr Demkine.

The report is to be made available on the SPREP website: www.sprep.org

Fiji optimistic about funds from GEF

By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV in Doha, Qatar

29 November 2012, Doha, Qatar - The Fiji Government is confident of securing funds to a tune of US 7 million dollars from the Global Environment Facility for the next three years to materialize its climate change adaptation projects..

US 7 million dollars will be allocated to programmes under the convention of biological diversity, climate change mitigation and land degradation.

The Fiji Government is also optimistic of securing a US. Quarter million dollar fund to upgrade its National Implementation Plan for Chemical Waste Data system.

Fiji currently has existing projects funded by the Global Environment Facility.

 

A project management unit has also been set up by the government to fast track these projects and ensure funds are well utilized.

Climate change impacts bring Loss and Damage to FSM

Simpson Abraham, the National Coordinator of the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project in FSM

 

29 November 2012, Doha, Qatar – Kosrae, one of the Federated States of Micronesia, was featured during a special event coordinated by the United Nations University, on Loss and Damage at the UN Climate negotiations in Doha.  The State has prepared a case study based on the loss and damage due to the coastal impacts upon the residents, from sea level rise and storm surges.

Loss and Damage refers to a range of damage and permanent loss associated with certain climate change impacts under the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  These can include impacts from extreme weather events such as tropic cyclones or floods, as well as from slow onset events such as sea level rise or ocean acidification.

70% of Micronesia’s population and infrastructure is located on the coast.  In Kosrae the residents are experiencing damage to their houses and infrastructure, affecting their crops and trees, as well as a loss of beaches.

“In our study that visited 363 households, 87% of the people we surveyed experienced coastal erosion with 80% of them saying it affected their household,” said Simpson Abraham, the National Coordinator of the PacificAdaptation to Climate Change Project in FSM.

The project is working to improve the existing coastal road design reinforcing them with new drainage solutions which take into account flooding risks from increased rainfall and sea level rise.

“When we asked people if they were adapting to climate change, 92% said the measures are not enough and will entail extra costs and 40% haven’t done anything to adapt to climate change, they lacked resources or just didn’t know what to do.”

Some of the adaptation options that households did carry out include building seawalls, filled land to fortify the coast, planted trees and elevated their homes.

Other case studies presented at the side event were from Bangladesh that looked at loss and damage from salinity, Bhutan that focused on changing monsoon patterns, The Gambia centering on drought, Kenya on the 2011 floods, and Micronesia on loss and damage associated with coastal erosion.

 

“One query that was directed to me was – what are you doing as far as adaptation in the future?” said Abraham.

“We have no choice.  We need to look to the international arena for support as the funds we have not is not enough to address the adaptation needed in Kosrae.  The PACC is a pilot project, we need to look beyond that and this is where we are seeking support from the international community.”

Under the UNFCCC, the Pacific through the Alliance of Small Island States has been advocating for the establishment of an international mechanism that would address the negative impacts associated with Loss and Damage.

The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security hosted the side event on Loss and Damage on Monday, 26 November at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Pacific Calling Partnership in Doha

Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV in Doha, Qatar

29 November 2012, Doha, Qatar - Our Pacific neighbors, Kiribati is lobbying for more support from the world leaders at the United Nations Climate Conference in Doha in mitigating the impacts of climate change in its country...

The tiny atoll is only 2 to 3 meters above the sea level which exposes it to  greater risks of rising sea level.

Pacific Calling Partnership is calling for more collaboration from the developed countries in assisting Kiribati in its effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

 Maria Chi-fang, Pacific Calling Partnership

The rising sea level and impacts of climate change has already resulted in migration of people from the country. One of the other pressing issues faced by the people of Kiribati is the supply of fresh water.