Climate Change Resilience
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor amplifying the Pacific voice in Paris
2 December, 2015, Paris, France, COP21 - The small island nation of Palau is portraying itself as an example of a country that has taken the global issue of climate resilience and developed a national solution to address the issue.
Palau's Ambassador to the European Union and Climate Change, Olai Uludong shared her government's landmark decision to create a marine sanctuary, as a commitment to showing resilience at the national level.
In October, the country's national congress passed the National Marine Sanctuary Act, which will see 80 percent of the nation's maritime territory designated as a reserve. This historical decision means that no fishing is allowed in the designated area of Palau's exclusive economic zone.
Ambassador Uludong said her government is aware that it cannot do it alone but will need partnerships – through north-south and public and private co-operation.
She also acknowledged that strong political leadership was an important ingredient in Palau's commitment to resilience.
"I'd like to acknowledge this initiative was largely driven by the strong leadership of my President, Tommy Remengesau Junior that led to the endorsement and approval of the Marine Sanctuary Act, said Palau's Climate Change Ambassador.
Initiatives taken by countries like Palau, is something that the Global Environment Fund (GEF) is interested in exploring funding opportunities.
Chairperson and chief executive officer of GEF, Dr. Naoko Ishii suggested that countries use innovative way of using marine resources and packaging it as blue bond and selling it to the international market.
"Countries must see their resources as opportunities and not challenges to secure funding for climate resilience, said Ishii.
GEF has set aside US$1.3 billion for adaptation funding.
The head of the climate change division at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Dr Netatua Pelesikoti reiterated the concerns of small island states of the difficulty to access climate financing.
She further explained the role of inter-government organisations in the Pacific such as SPREP in supporting Pacific to reduce their vulnerability to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, and changes to precipitation patters.
This support included the development of regional climate change strategies based on national priorities and supporting countries to implement these strategies on the ground through assessments, development of guidelines, capacity building and accessing to climate change funds.
Dr Pelesikoti said that the Pacific are often asked to prove that their vulnerability is caused by climate change and referred to the IPCC SREX report and the IPCC WG2 specifically on chapter 29 on Small Islands where climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptations including root causes from reviewed literatures were discussed. National assessments are available as well.
"The Pacific looks forward to more simplified and streamlined process for accessing these funds acknowledging the special circumstances of these vulnerable countries, said Dr Pelesikoti. - #4PacIslands
2 December, 2015, Paris, France, COP21 - The small island nation of Palau is portraying itself as an example of a country that has taken the global issue of climate resilience and developed a national solution to address the issue.
Palau's Ambassador to the European Union and Climate Change, Olai Uludong shared her government's landmark decision to create a marine sanctuary, as a commitment to showing resilience at the national level.
In October, the country's national congress passed the National Marine Sanctuary Act, which will see 80 percent of the nation's maritime territory designated as a reserve. This historical decision means that no fishing is allowed in the designated area of Palau's exclusive economic zone.
Ambassador Uludong said her government is aware that it cannot do it alone but will need partnerships – through north-south and public and private co-operation.
She also acknowledged that strong political leadership was an important ingredient in Palau's commitment to resilience.
"I'd like to acknowledge this initiative was largely driven by the strong leadership of my President, Tommy Remengesau Junior that led to the endorsement and approval of the Marine Sanctuary Act, said Palau's Climate Change Ambassador.
Initiatives taken by countries like Palau, is something that the Global Environment Fund (GEF) is interested in exploring funding opportunities.
Chairperson and chief executive officer of GEF, Dr. Naoko Ishii suggested that countries use innovative way of using marine resources and packaging it as blue bond and selling it to the international market.
"Countries must see their resources as opportunities and not challenges to secure funding for climate resilience, said Ishii.
GEF has set aside US$1.3 billion for adaptation funding.
The head of the climate change division at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Dr Netatua Pelesikoti reiterated the concerns of small island states of the difficulty to access climate financing.
She further explained the role of inter-government organisations in the Pacific such as SPREP in supporting Pacific to reduce their vulnerability to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, and changes to precipitation patters.
This support included the development of regional climate change strategies based on national priorities and supporting countries to implement these strategies on the ground through assessments, development of guidelines, capacity building and accessing to climate change funds.
Dr Pelesikoti said that the Pacific are often asked to prove that their vulnerability is caused by climate change and referred to the IPCC SREX report and the IPCC WG2 specifically on chapter 29 on Small Islands where climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptations including root causes from reviewed literatures were discussed. National assessments are available as well.
"The Pacific looks forward to more simplified and streamlined process for accessing these funds acknowledging the special circumstances of these vulnerable countries, said Dr Pelesikoti. - #4PacIslands