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Regional Workshop onResponding to Climate Change in

the Pacific:Moving from Strategy to Action

Otheniel TangianauActing Secretary

Ministry of Infrastructure and PlanningRarotonga, Cook Islands

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1. Main Climate Change Related Issues

in the Cook Islands

o Issues that can be seen and noticedo Increase in cyclone frequency

o Increasing cyclones ratingso Prolonged drought periodso Changing rainfall patterns affecting water

supply

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Increase in cyclone frequencyIn 2005, four cyclones hit the Cook Islands in 6 weeks:these are tropical cyclones Meena, Nancy, Olaf, Percy

Pukapuka Islands after TC. Percy Mangaia Island after TC Meena

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Increasing cyclone category ratingAitutaki Islands after cyclone Pat, February, 2010

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Cyclone impacts TC Meena (2005)

Mangaia Airport, 15 maslMauke harbour

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Storm surgesPukapuka Islands tropical cyclone Percy (2005) :

All of the taro crops were destroyed

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Storm surges TC Percy (2005)It took 4 years for the swamp to support replanting, for which

planting materials had to be brought in from outside.

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Prolonged drought conditions

Flooded taro plantations Dry taro swamplands

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Changing rainfall patterns affecting water supply

Avana and Avatiu Intakes on Rarotonga 2009 drought

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2. Countrys ResponseClimate change policiesNational Climate Change Strategies

National Climate Change Action PlanInstitutional frameworksClimate change projects

Financial support

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Climate Change PoliciesThere is NO clear policy direction on climatechange in the Cook Islands.

Policies are reactive and are sometimes made asa result of extreme events, e.g., water tankssubsidies for Rarotonga during the 2009 drought.Some projects that are being delivered occur inresponse to community needs and as part of normal government project cycles, e.g., OI water tanks upgrade.

There are also policies in some sectors thatcomplement climate change initiatives, e.g.,renewable energy policies.

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National Climate Change StrategiesThe National Environment Forum proposes the followingstrategies:

AdaptationEcosystem approachDisaster risk management

Economic diversificationClimate proofing infrastructureTechnology transfer

MitigationEnergy efficiencyRenewable energy

Research

Data collection and sharingHazard mapping and GISRisks assessmentEducationWater and Food security

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Institutional FrameworkNational Climate Change Country Team

Established with HOMs only to oversee Initial NationalCommunications; later expanded to include civil societies, thuswill continue to be the main body to oversight climate changeinitiatives

Ad hoc operationsClimate change activities undertaken, driven and housed bysectorsWhile climate change is identified as part of overallgovernment budgetary policies, budgetary support to Ministriesare generally lacking or get considered as afterthought.

Ministries pick and choose which issue to tackle, based on thehow the issue relates to their functions thus leading to gaps indelivery.Government resource to operationalize and mainstreamclimate change in government programs

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Financial SupportThe government of Cook Islands, as part of its developmentprograms, has funded a number projects which complementclimate change initiatives.

Donors and partners have also provided financial support toclimate change initiatives for:Technical support and capacity building;Establishment of weather monitoring stations and datagathering;Disaster preparedness and management; andCommunity consultations and engagement.However, MORE SUPPORT is REQUIRED.

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Climate Change ProjectsPacific Islands Climate Prediction ProjectSea Level and Climate Monitoring ProjectPacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC)

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)Others:

CLIMAPCPDAMPIC

CEAL/CRRP

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3. Assistance and SupportTechnical assistance

Capacity to develop project proposals to meetdonor requirements

Access to technical institutions for climatechange research activities, especially on:Infrastructure designs for climate proofinginitiativesModelling of adaptation work on the ground

Livelihood support

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Assistance and Support (continued)Better, easier and quicker access to financialresources

Financial resources are generally tied up withnumerous donor processes.

Donor harmonizationDirect donor-to-government financing for :Infrastructure improvement projectsEnvironment protectionFood security

Agriculture

Marine ResourcesWater Supply

Community protection through disaster response andrecovery activities