Climate Change Matters, May ’13 edition
Ecosystem-based adaptation in Vanuatu
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is working with the Department of Fisheries to implement an Ecosystem-based Adaptation project with communities at Siviri and Anelkhout in Vanuatu.
Implementing integrated coastal zone management planning to support the local Marine Protected Areas has been identified as one of the key objectives. In Vanuatu, ‘tabu’ areas, where fishing and harvesting of shellfish from the reef are banned, have long been part of the traditional management of community marine resources.
The Coastal Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) to Climate Change project is implemented by the Vanuatu Department of Fisheries with technical assistance from SPREP and funded by the AusAID International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCAI).
Cook Island recieves EU Support for climate change adaptation
Cook Islanders living on low-lying atolls are receiving on-the-ground climate change adaptation assistance from the European Union (EU) worth Euro 0.5 million (approx. NZD 0.8 million) over two years. In consultation with communities, activities have been designed to improve the management of marine resources and increase the resilience of pearl farmers, artisanal and small scale commercial fishery operations to the adverse effects of climate change.
The assistance is delivered through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community – Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States (SPC-GCCA: PSIS) project and will be implemented by the Cook Islands Government.
Pacific delegates look to up-scaling climate finance in the Asia Pacific region
Delegates from selected Pacific Island countries, and representatives from SPREP and SPC, attended a workshop in Singapore this month (22 – 24 April) to share experiences and ideas on scaling up climate change financing for the Asia Pacific region. The workshop was co-hosted by the Singaporean Government and GIZ.
The workshop was intended to identify common solutions to address the challenges behind both accessing and managing climate change financing, and also provided participants with an update in international trends, including the status of the Green Climate Fund – a new fund recently set up under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the goal of providing 100 billion USD per year towards climate change, by 2020.
Mark Brown, Minister of Finance for the Cook Islands attended as a key note speaker and shared with the conference the unique challenges faced by Pacific Small Island Developing States. He stressing that in order for climate finance to work in the Pacific region, it has to be accessible, simple and country driven ideally build upon proven and existing in-country structures.
The workshop acknowledged that while many new funds are being created, that there still remains a very large gap between funds needed and funds available. To this end, ideas were shared on possible new and innovative funding sources that would move away from a reliance purely on the public sector.
For more information regarding the conference and outcomes, please contact Diane McFadzien, Climate Change Adaptation Advisor: [email protected]