Search the SPREP Catalogue

As experience with both disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) grows, there is increasing recognition that these two fields share a common focus: reducing the vulnerability of communities and contributing to sustainable development. The high level of climate-related risks in the Pacific, make DRR and CCA key policy goals. The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the current level of integration of DRR and CCA in the region, with an emphasis on the policy and institutional environment. The report outlines some of the barriers to integration and makes recommendations on how they can be addressed. The analysis presented includes seven Pacific island countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu), however, a more detailed analysis was undertaken of only four of those countries (the Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau and Vanuatu).

Climate ExChange is a fully illustrated 250-page book with over 100 authors relating their work in weather, climate and water services at international, regional, national and local levels. The commentaries draw upon experiences around the world reflecting how people are using climate information to improve their lives. Climate ExChange reflects the progress and challenges in these fields, highlighting good practices in a wide variety of societies and disciplines.

This paper provides a brief examination of capacity development needs for climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in small island developing states (SIDS). It is noted that this is a critical time for SIDS which must contend with ongoing developmental pressures in addition to growing pressures from risks associated with global environmental change and economic liberalisation that threaten their physical and economic security. Much depends in this context on the orientation of SIDS in global economic and political systems. Getting the policies right is proving to be very difficult as SIDS continue to be deficient in a critical mass of intellectual capital, policy coherence, financial resources and qualified personnel that are needed to develop and implement sustainable development policies and projects. In turn, this critically hampers the emergence of adequate systemic capacity. SIDS however have a history of changes at the global and regional levels which not only created constraints but can be seen as a source of new opportunities for building resilience to natural disasters. How effective this process transpires in the end will depend on how well lessons learnt from preceding years are taken on board and effectively acted upon.

PACC reports

Energy consumption in Cook Islands is predominantly reliant on imported fossil fuels, which roughly accounts for over 99% of the country’s energy consumption. In 2009, around 12.7 million litres of diesel, 4.2 million litres of petrol, and 9.7 million litres of kerosene were imported into the country. The recorded fuel import bill stood in the vicinity of USD 57.8 million dollars with a current GDP of USD 209.8 million dollars. Petroleum fuels are supplied to Cook Islands by Mobil, Pacific Energy and Total. Triad purchases fuel from Pacific Energy for distribution within the country. Petroleum products are mainly imported from Australia and Singapore via Fiji, using local coastal tankers, to bulk storage in Rarotonga. Diesel fuel for electricity generation accounted for 7.2 million litres in 2009. Most of the kerosene and petrol imported is used for air and land transport respectively. Please click on the country name below to download the profile.

Thematic Frameworks for the cultural values of the Pacific / Ian Lilley and Christophe Sand|Pacific Islands World Heritage Tentative Lists / paul Dingwall|Developing the Solomon Islands Tentative List / Salamat Ali Tabbasum|The Cook Islands / Justina Nicholas and Ngatuaine Maui|Natural world heritage in Oceania: challenges and opportunities / Stuart Chape|bikini Atoll: a small remote atool of global significance/ Nicole Baker|Levuka, FijiL the heritage of culture contact in the Pacific / anita Smith, Sipiriano nemani and Anaseini Kalougata|Transnational Values in the development of a World heritage nomination for the Sacred site of Taputapuatea/Te Po of Opoa, French Polynesia / Ariihau Richard Tuheiava, Anith Smith|Yapese stone money: a transboundary serial nomination from Micronesia|Community as the First C: Conservation and development through tourism at Chief Roi Mata's Domain, Vanuatu / Meredith Wilson, Chris Ballard, Richard Matanik and Topie Warry|The ancient royal tombs of lapaha, Tonga : Community and world heritage / Geoffrey Clark, Christian Reepmeyer and Nivaleti Melekiola|Community participatory approach to heritage conservation in Samoa / Elisaia Talouli, Tuiolo Schuster|Samoan women: preservers of their cultural heritage / Luagalau Fo'isagaasina Etuati-Shon|Building Regional Capacity for World Heritage in the Pacific islands: toward a Pacific Heritage Hub / Anita Smith and Meretui Ratunabuabua|Safeguarding Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia / Diana Roma|The Kokoda initiativ, Papua New Guinea|UNESCO's World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States and the Global Strategy / Ron van Oers|Niue: a small island state in West Polynesia / Moira Enetama