Climate Change Cook Islands (CCCI)

Kia Orana. This is the first of a future monthly newsletter for the CCCI division to keep you all updated on what is happening within and surrounding climate change related activities.
December 2011 saw Pasha Caruthers, Ana Tiraa, Linda Siegele, Sandra Tisam, Ewan Cameron and Ulamila Wragg make up the Cook Islands delegation to COP 17 in Durban. The team’s report is available upon request.
During December and January Nanette Woonton from SPREP alongside Ana developed a communication outreach guide. The guide is to help steer those involved in climate change communication to work together in achieving common goals.
Diane McFadzien from SPREP, during January and February, was in the Cook Islands to work with the OPM/CCCI, NES and CCCT. She reviewed the JNAP, assisted planning for the vulnerability assessments, reviewed the 2nd National Communication Report and assisted with the Climate Change Country team meeting in January. The JNAP (Joint National Adaptation Plan) and the 2nd National Communication Report is at the printers.
February saw a Risk Assessment exercise meeting take place for the CCCT. Documentation on Risk Assessment is available upon request.
Consultant, George de Romilly worked with NES and CCCI to finalise a small grant’s application to ADB to support Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments on five islands. He also worked with NES to draft a Green Paper which will help towards developing a climate change policy. Furthermore, he assisted the risk assessment exercise (as mentioned above).
In March, Charlie Carlson from EMCI attended the Asian Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) which was organised by SPREP in Samoa.
Climate Change Co-ordinator Rerekura Teaurere started with the CCCI division based at OPM.
Steve Barratt attended the informal dialogue on Loss and Damage in Frankfurt in March. Based on the Loss and Damage decision from COP 17, the meeting provided an informal space for exchange among countries to exchange views about possible decisions on loss and damage at COP 18
Earth Hour for the Cook Islands will be Friday 30th March from 12 to 1pm. NES is leading this event. It is encouraged everyone participate. We would be interested to know how you participated...flick us an email and let us know.
Rerekura attended the Marine Park (MP) meetings. Although the MP is still in its early stages of development it was great to see environmental passion spark amongst the attendees. Conflict is a way to resolution.
The Adaptation Fund project proposal entitled Akamatutu’anga i te iti tangata no te tuatau manakokore ia e te taui’anga reva Strengthening the Resilience of our Islands and our Communities to Climate Change (SRIC - CC) has been approved. However, the formalities of channelling the funds at the regional and international level through the Aid Management Division are still in the process of being finalised.
Lavina Tama from MFEM and Vanessa Jenner from AMD will be attending a workshop to familiarize Parties with the process and the requirements for the accreditation of National Implementing Entities for access under the Adaptation Fund for the Pacific. The workshop will be held in Samoa towards the end of April.
The Australia government funded Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Programme (PASAP) activities are steadily moving along. The status is as follows: The institutional establishment of CCCI is well underway. Planning is underway for the integration of community vulnerability mapping and adaptation planning into the development of a national disaster risk management and climate change policy project. We will be seeking a short term consultant to assist paper work required for the Avarua coastal needs assessment. Copies of the above project proposals can be obtained from us.
We are aware of two new projects. They are the Promoting Energy Efficiency Energy in the Pacific (PEEP) and the USP EU Global Climate Change Adaptation Project. Summaries of these projects can be provided on request.
Ana attended the following meetings in Bangkok recently: Culminating Workshop of RETA 6420: Promoting Climate Change Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific and the ADAPT -Asia-Pacific 2nd Annual Forum.
From the friendly CCCI team Ana and Rerekura.

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