Search the SPREP Catalogue

This Synthesis Report is based on the assessment earned out by the three Working Groups of the IPCC. It provides an integrated view of climate change as the final part of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report. A complete elaboration of the topics covered on this summary can be found on this Synthesis Report and in the underlying reports of the three Working Groups.

Biodiversity conservation - that is, the conservation of plants and animals that make up the species richness of a country - is widely recognised as an issue of importance for the South Pacific as it is relevant to family livelihoods, culture and economic development as well as to the unique biological story that these islands possess. The biodiversity of the region is threatened by a broad range of causes including unsustainable logging and fishing, invasive species, pollution, soil erosion, fire, habitat conversion and agricultural run-off. Climate change is an additional threat of significant potential impact, especially for coral reefs.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the truly majestic places on our planet. Its size and brilliance make is observable even from space. Few ocean areas are known as well globally as the 2,300 km of reefs that extend over the Australian east coast. Comprised of more than 2,900 individual reefs that form its foundation, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area encompasses a diversity of habitats, plants and animals of outstanding universal value. Scattered throughout its footprint are islands, mangroves and marine life of infinite variety. Like the Galapagos, the Great Barrier Reef has singular characteristics found nowhere else on Earth But, all of this is under threat as never before. Global climate change is a virtual sword of Damocles hanging over the very heart of the Great Barrier Reef. History reveals that reefs have been faced with changes in the past, including fluctuations in water temperature, sea level and acidification. Climate change has accelerated this rate of change, coinciding with mounting pressure from human uses. These threats are certainly not unique to the Great Barrier Reef. Around the world, coral reefs are faced with impacts from poor water quality, overfishing, physical damage and climate change. Experts estimate that 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no prospect of recovery, another 24 percent are under imminent risk of collapse through human pressures and 26 percent more are under longer term threat. What makes the Great Barrier Reef unique is that, so far, it has remained in relatively good condition compared to other reefs around the world.

Conservation of biological diversity is a foundation of ecologically sustainable development and is one of the three core objectives of the strategy for ecologically sustainable development. Biological diversity provide all our food and many medicines and industrial products. Biological diversity underpins human well-being through the provision of ecological services such as those that are essential for the maintenance of soil fertility and clean, fresh water and air, It also provides recreational opportunities and is a source of inspiration and cultural identity

The natural environment of Pacific Island countries has supported, maintained and improved the social and economic wellbeing of its people and cultures since the arrival of the first inhabitants. The importance of the region’s biodiversity cannot be understated; it is present in every facet of the island way of life. Natural resources provide food, shelter, medicine and are used extensively in traditions. In the past, utilization of these resources was allowed under traditional and community management. It is believed that utilization was undertaken in a balance with nature so that biodiversity was used in a sustainable manner.

During my childhood … We never experienced severe sea flooding. There were storms, but they weren’t that bad. As the sea levels continue to rise in Kiribati, several king tides hit the island. Saltwater intrusion affects the quality of water in wells; floods taro patches, gardens, and puts stress on plants/trees which are very important to the life and culture of an I-Kiribati

This review examines the current status of NBSAP development across fourteen South Pacific member nations, and assesses the scales of actionable planning and M&E protocols existing within these plans. The results of the review show that the status of NBSAP development and implementation in the selected Pacific member countries is varied; from some countries still awaiting funding to begin their NBSAP development process, to others that are busy undertaking implementation activities

Planning for the conservation of biodiversity at the national level emerged as a key issue at the Rio Summit in 1992. It was further addressed in the formulation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), article 6 of which states: “Each Contracting Party shall, in accordance with its particular conditions and capabilities: (a) Develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity or adapt for this purpose existing strategies, plans or programmes which shall reflect, inter alia, the measures set out in this Convention relevant to the Contracting Party concerned; and (b) Integrate, as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.” This Article is mandatory and creates an obligation for signatory nations to develop National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans (NBSAPs).