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Environment The Solomon Islands is part to various treaties and conventions related to environmental protection, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. A communication to UNFCCC, including greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerability to climate change, is expected to be submitted during 2004.

PNG has two distinct economies: i) a modem, cash economy dominated by mining, timber, gas and oil. and agricultural expoits (coffee, cocoa, tea. oil palm and copra): and ii) the traditional subsistence economy and semi-subsistence fanning, with most villages producing little or no surplus for trading. Economic growth has varied considerably but averaged less than 3% annually in real terms since independence in 1975. with per capita income less in 2002 than at Independence. The government expects real growth to average 2.1% from 2003-2008. a continued decline in real GDP per capita: Current development plans aim at public debt reduction, reduced budget deficits, and more stringent cost controls.

The 607 islands of the Federated States of Micronesia, north-northeast of Papua New Guinea, extend east to west and north to south over 1500 miles and 600 miles respectively. The land area is 271 square miles with an exclusive economic zone exceeding one million sq. mi. distributed over the four states of Yap, Chuuk. Pohnpei and Kosrae. The islands vary geologically from high and mountainous to low coral atolls. Strong northeast trade winds prevail from December through April and periods of weaker winds occur from May to November. Rainfall is extremely high on the volcanic islands (Kosrae. Pohnpei and Chuuk) sometimes exceeding 400 inches per year. Storms and typhoons are generally more severe in the west.

Fiji's current development plan emphasises proper management of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources as critical for sustainable development. The plan lists key national environmental issues as land degradation, air and water pollution, refuse disposal, and the expected effects of climate change and sea level rise. Planned actions include better enforcement of legislation, increased public awareness of environmental issues legislation to minimise environmental damage. Energy-related objectives to be addressed by 2005 include a strategy 011 climate change, the reduction of vehicle emissions by 50%. identification of feasible bio fuels to replace petroleum, a ban on adulterated fuels, and environmental audits for all public organisations.

The Republic of Vanuatu, formerly the New Hebrides, is located about three- quarters from Hawaii to Australia, centred near 16° degrees south latitude and 167 0 east longitude. Vanuatu is mostly mountainous, of volcanic origin with narrow coastal plains. About 41% of all land is cultivable with 14% utilised. Total land area is 12,200 km2 with 65 islands populated of 80 total. It is hot and wet from November through April, and cooler and drier from May - October. In the capital Port Vila, the average temperature is 26°C" and the annual rainfall 2300 mm. Namral hazards include tropical cyclones, volcanism and occasional tsunamis.