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The “Committing to Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific” referred to hereafter as SWAP project aims to improve sanitation, environmental, social, and economic conditions in Pacific Island countries and territories through proper waste management.
To achieve this, the overall work focuses on three streams of wastes: used oil, marine debris, disaster wastes and an overarching issue on sustainable financing mechanisms.
Six countries and territories benefit from this overall project which include Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
Marine litter is one of the main issues that the SWAP project tries to address as Pacific islands are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of marine debris, due to the particular value and sensitivity of their coastal environments. A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has revealed that there are now over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the oceans. That's about one tonne of plastics for every three tonnes of fish. If the trend continues, plastics will outweigh fish in the oceans by 2050.
As behaviour change is a priority in order to address this problem of marine litter in a sustainable way, the SWAP project has produced a video to raise awareness of the problem of marine litter: ‘PLASTIC PARADISE’. This video is available in English and French as well as Fijian, Samoan, Pidgin, Tongan and Bislama.
This video is the intellectual property of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and therefore may be used for educational or non-profit services without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. SPREP would appreciate receiving information on the use of the video: audience, purpose, etc. by completing this ‘SPREP/SWAP Marine Litter Awareness Video Use Request Form’.
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IUCN Marine & Coastal Biodiversity in Pacific Islands Countries & Atolls Project (MACBIO) is supporting the Vanuatu Government achieve sustainable management of ecosystems and marine resources in country. Natural resources in marine and coastal areas are of high importance for Vanuatu and sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. However, the need to use marine resources sustainably is not well reflected in national planning processes, due in part to insufficient information regarding their economic value and lack of concerted marine spatial planning.
MACBIO project 2013-2018 aims to help Vanuatu to meet their commitments under the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 and the relevant Aichi targets, including the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA) and the Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity (POWIB) Specifically, the project aims to enhance ecosystem-based management and support more effectively managed marine resources which should lead to more resilient coastal and marine economies, more sustainable use of marine biodiversity, and will contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as securing and strengthening local livelihoods. Tried and tested concepts and instruments will be adopted in Vanuatu.
The MACBIO project is being implemented by GIZ with technical support from IUCN-Oceania in close collaboration with SPREP.
. The IUCN components of the project aim to achieve the following outcome and outputs:
Outputs (specific project goals):
An ocean-wide policy and spatial planning framework
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PEBACC is a five year project funded by the German Government, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to explore and promote ecosystem-based options for adapting to climate change. The overall intended outcome of the project is: EbA is integrated into development, climate change adaptation responses, and natural resource management policy and planning processes in three Pacific island countries (Vanuatu, Fiji and Solomon Islands) providing replicable models for other countries in the region.
Overall Goal:
· Natural adaptation solutions are fully integrated into development, climate change adaptation and NRM policy and planning processes in four ecologically and geographically diverse Pacific island countries, also providing replicable models for other countries in the region, and is successfully demonstrated through implementation at national, provincial and local levels.The project will employ staff in Vanuatu; In addition to a SPREP Officer who will be the Vanuatu component project leader for this project and may be based in Vanuatu; One or two locally hired positions will directly support the project implementation and develop linkages to other projects and programmes, it is proposed that a locally hired position will be located within the SPC-GIZ CCCPIR.
Relevant projects and strategy to avoid duplication:
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This edition covers the period from July to December 2017. The PEBACC Project has progressed from baseline studies called Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) to Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Options Assessments and Implementation Plans for each project site. We are pleased to share with you brief updates from our sites in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as we move to implementation of demonstration projects over the next 2.5 years.
We value your support and partnership and we look forward to a closer working relationship in 2018.
The highlights in this issue include:
Taveuni equipped with masterplan to guide EbA projects in 2018
PEBACC and CEFAS support Solomon Is Government with water quality assessment
PEBACC hands-over ESRAM reports to Vanuatu Government
Committee in place to support Queen Elizabeth nature park, Solomon Is
PEBACC supports exchange visit for Fiji traditional leader
Ecosystem-based Adaptation projects for Port Vila
Mapping of important marine areas on Taveuni island, Fiji
Tanna community vote for marine protected area
PEBACC presents ESRAM reports at regional meetings
PEBACC partnered with Fiji Government and international organisations in hosting regional dialogue
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The National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy was spearheaded by the Environment Unit (now the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation) in 1999. English and Bislama versions are provided in a single PDF.
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The Government of Vanuatu has decided to develop an oceans policy, which aligns with recommendations from theCommonwealth Secretariat.This report summarises the main findings1 of an analysis and assessment of 69 instruments of legislation andsubordinate policies and plans that are relevant to management and use of Vanuatu’s territorial waters and thereforerelevant to the development of the national oceans policy. The review of Vanuatu’s legislation, policies, strategies andplans relating to oceans management is part of the Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific IslandCountries (MACBIO) project.The approach to the review involved an analytical framework comprising three components:1. Individual analysis of legislation, policies, strategies and plans;2. Integration of individual analyses into an assessment table for comparative analysis and assessment; and3. A report which provides an assessment narrative based on the individual analyses and the information from theassessment table.
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Vanuatu Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation SUMMARY & Final report
This study,conducted in 2015, aimed to determine the economic value of seven marine and coastal ecosystem services in Vanuatu. The study forms part of the broader MACBIO project (Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Island Countries and Atolls) that aims to strengthen the management of marine and coastal biodiversity in Pacific island countries.
The role that natural ecosystems, especially marine ecosystems, play in human wellbeing is often overlooked or taken for granted. The benefits humans receive from ecosystems, called ecosystem services, are often hidden because markets do not directly reveal their value – nature provides these benefits for free. Failure to recognize the role that marine ecosystems play in supporting livelihoods, economic activity, and human wellbeing has, in many instances, led to inequitable and unsustainable resource management decisions.
Coastal and marine resources provide Ni-Vanuatu businesses, households, and government many real and measurable benefits. The exclusive economic zone of Vanuatu, nearly 700,000 square kilometers of ocean, is more than 50 times larger than the country’s land area. This report, describes, quantifies and, where sufficient data is available, estimates the economic value of many of Vanuatu’s marine and coastal ecosystem services, in an effort to inform sustainable and equitable management decisions and support national marine spatial planning.
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The Vanuatu National Environment Policy and Implementation Plan 2016–2030 (NEPIP) is an illustration of the Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and meets the requirements of a national policy and plan set out in the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act [CAP 283]. The NEPIP sets a solid policy platform for long term planning and action to respond to priority environmental issues being addressed by the Government and its partners. In formulating this policy, the Government focussed on the sustainable management of its environmental assets and the protection of its people.
The NEPIP is also part of a wider policy framework and addresses those matters included in the environment pillar of the National Sustainable Development Plan. It is also an indication by the Government in keeping with its commitments on the SAMOA Pathway, Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Ecosystem and socio-economic resilience analysis and mapping (ESRAM) is the first phase of the Pacific Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to Climate Change project (PEBACC), a five-year initiative funded by the German Government and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). The intention of the project (2014 – 2019) is to promote ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) through the generation of new knowledge on local ecosystem services and its integration into development, climate change adaptation and natural resource management policy and planning processes in three Pacific island countries – Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
This technical summary document reports on the findings from the first phase ESRAM activity that was conducted in Greater Port Vila between January and June 2016. Whilst it was understood at the outset that both climate and non-climate drivers would be important influences on ecosystem quality (and the services they provide), local engagement - through household surveys and community workshops - also uncovered substantial detail on the range of contemporary issues facing these communities: urban development, pollution, access to water, overharvesting and poor management of resources, sand mining, and climate impacts (including ongoing recovery from Tropical Cyclone Pam, March 2015). It is clear that the ecosystem and socio-economic resilience challenges for these urban and peri-urban communities are already considerable but will be further amplified by continued urbanisation and future climate change in the years to come.
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The Project, Mangrove Ecosystems for Climate Change Adaptations and Livelihoods (MESCAL), coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Oceania Regional Office (ORO) is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). MESCAL involves five countries: Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The project is based at the IUCN ORO in Suva, Fiji within the Water and Wetlands Programme. It is managed by a Project Management Unit (PMU) currently consisting of one coordinator and three support staff. MESCAL started in December 2009 with the country component ending December 2013, although the IUCN component is extended to December 2014.
A mid-term review (MTR) was carried out from 22 January to 11 March, 2013 by Dr Kenneth T MacKay, an environmental consultant with considerable experience and familiarity with the Pacific Islands, mangrove projects, and monitoring and evaluation.
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There are about 30 species of mangroves in Solomon Islands, representing 40% of the world's mangrove species. They can be found on most islands ans it is estimated that mangroves here cover an area of about 50 000 hectares.
Mangroves are important resources for livelihoodof rural coastal communities. However there ias not an endleess supply.
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Climate change, resulting from both natural and anthropogenic factors, is expected to affect virtually every aspect of marine ecosystem structure and function from community composition and biogeochemical cycling, to the prevalence of diseases. Climate can affect all life-history stages through direct and indirect processes and the possible effects of climate change for marine populations include changes in population dynamics (body size, reproduction), community composition and geographical distributions. Climate change can be expected to affect populations, habitats, and ecosystems differently depending on their underlying characteristics (ICES 2011a, b). Although there are many uncertainties about the rates and spatial structure of future climate change, the probable and potential changes need to be considered in ecosystem management planning.
Ecosystems are complex, dynamic networks of interacting abiotic and biotic components, with a certain intrinsic capacity to adapt to perturbations such as climate change. Within ecosystems, it is individual organisms that perceive and respond to perturbations either directly through physical responses to abiotic factors or indirectly through interaction mechanisms such as predation and competition. When large numbers of individuals are affected, the response reverberates through higher levels of organization.
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The assessment of available remote sensing data indicates, that there is almost no potential foractivities reducing deforestation within the CCA/REDD site. Reducing forest degradation byeliminating invasive weeds might show some potential for emission reductions and removals, butrequires further research to assess the management options and their carbon dynamics.
The community areas of Penaoru and Petawata show a potential of 664 ha for enhancing forestcarbon stocks activities. However, 65% of the potential is located outside the CCA/REDD site inareas around the villages. Only one third of the potential (219 ha) relates to areas larger than 1ha.Given the spatial distribution of potential sites, the original concept of a combined CCA-REDD sitehas to be modified. The CCA area can be maintained as established, but its management plan shouldallow for A/R activities considering that some Sandalwood stands have already been establishedinside. In case the REDD+ activities will only encompass A/R activities, the boundaries of theREDD+ sites will become obsolete and can be replaced by the community boundaries. Within thisscenario, Penaoru, Petawata and other communities will register their A/R activities and sites in a(sub)national registry applying an approved protocol. The registry will operate a spatial databaseof all EFCS activities, and measure, report, and verify their GHG removals. In its mature state, theregistry will account for all eligible REDD+ activities across islands and community territories.Early movers willing to participate in piloting REDD+ on Santo Island would have to register theiractivities based on consolidated community territories.
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The first of the overall MESCAL project’s four outcomes is to produce national baseline information about climate change scenarios, use and values of mangroves and associated ecosystem.
This review aims to identify recent climate change projections (particularly sea level) and assess their likely impacts on mangroves and associated ecosystems and community livelihoods for the five MESCAL pilot countries.
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Le changement climatique est l'un des sujets dont on parle le plus dans le monde parce qu'll affecte le quotidien de tous les habitants de la planete, y compris ceux qui vivent dans les iles du pacifique. Les scientifiques disent que lechangement climatique pourrait rendre les saisons chaudes plus longues et amener beacoup de pluies durant la saison humide.
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Ocean warming may well turn out to be the greatest hidden challenge of our generation. This report represents the most comprehensive review to date on ocean warming. To build up the report, leading scientists from around the world were invited to join with colleagues to contribute individual chapters. It contains many recommendations from the scientists on capability gaps and research issues that need to be resolved if we are to tackle the impacts of ocean warming with greater confidence in the future. The focus of the report is on gathering facts and knowledge and communicating this to show what is now happening in and to the ocean. There is purposefully much less focus on political ramifications. We hope that this report will help stimulate further debate and action on such issues.
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Climate Adaptation Methodology for Protected Areas (CAMPA) Coastal and Marine is designed to build the resilience of protected areas and associated ecosystems based on a thorough understanding of their vulnerability to climate change and a participatory agreement on the best ways to respond to these threats. With minor adjustments the methodology could be adapted to terrestrial and freshwater protected areas.
CAMPA does two main things:
• It provides practical and scientifically sound guidance to facilitate climate change vulnerability assessments of coastal and marine protected areas (CMPAs).
• Based on an understanding of that vulnerability, it then facilitates decisionmaking on the most appropriate adaptation actions.
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The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)2013-2021 is designed to safeguard the Earth’s biologically rich and most threatened regions known as biodiversity hotspots. It is a joint initiative of Conservation International (CI), l’AgencieFrancaise de Developpment (AFD), the European Union (EU), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Governemnt of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. CEPF is a unique funding mechanism in that it focuses on high-priority biological areas rather than political boundaries, and examines conservation threats on a landscape scale. It is from this perspective that CEPF seeks to address conservation needs through coordinated regional efforts. Its fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. CEPF’s US$9 million investment in the East Melanesian Islands hotspot was launched in 2013 and will continue until 2021. As we near the mid-term phase of CEPF’s investment in EMI (2017)
Vanuatu has been identified to be within the East Melanesian Islands Hotspot The hotspot is one of the most biologically important regions in the planet in terms of species richness and especially endemism. CEPF’s investment will be targeted where it can make the greatest and most sustained contribution to the conservation of globally important biodiversity.
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Established in 2000, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a globalleader in enabling civil society to participate in and influence the conservation ofsome of the world’s most critical ecosystems. CEPF is a joint initiative of l’AgenceFrançaise de Développement (AFD), Conservation International, the EuropeanUnion, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Japan, theJohn D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. CEPF isunique among funding mechanisms in that it focuses on high-priority biologicalareas rather than political boundaries and examines conservation threats on alandscape scale. From this perspective, CEPF seeks to identify and support aregional, rather than a national, approach to achieving conservation outcomes andengages a wide range of public and private institutions to address conservationneeds through coordinated regional efforts.
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