The watersheds of the Cook Islands provide residents and visitors with a wide range of environmental services such as the supply of drinking water, natural filtration of freshwater run-off, recreational opportunities and scenery. Whilst important the value of these services is not readily apparent in economic terms. This means they can easily be overlooked in decision making and policy formulation. There is a pressing need to better understand the economic value of the nation's watersheds to raise awareness and inform investment and regulatory decisions.
Project monitoring is now a standard requirement in natural resource management programs, bringing opportunities for greater accountability, adaptive management and social learning. While
This report is the product of a consultative process that was initiated to share and discuss issues of sea turtle management in the Republic of Palau. The apparent decline of sea turtle populations in Palau has been a concern for many years. Several reviews conducted over the past decade make recommendations to improve Palau's turtle management regimes and to promote the recovery of locally existing turtle species.
Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the governments of the Asian and Pacific region have, within certain limitations and constraints, drawn up and implemented national strategies, action plans and programmes to attain the objectives of sustainable development. The international, regional and subregional organizations have developed their respective action programmes to assist the governments in their efforts. There were also some common problems and transboundary issues that lent themselves to action at the regional and subregional levels.
Climate change is one of the most serious threats to sustainable development and to the very survival of Pacific Island Countries and communities. In 2007 the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders reiterated their deep concern over this serious and growing threat to the economic, social and environmental well being of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs),their communities, peoples and cultures. They have been calling on the international community to take conceited action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere since 1990.
Water as a resource is limited and good quality water is insufficient to cater for the increase in demand with the continuing increase hi population and also for use in
development activities. There are critical management issues relating to the sustainable use and management of water resources in Samoa. These critical issues need to be fully addressed through a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders.
1st page kept in vertical file collection and click on "FL" field to access an e-copy
Call Number: VF 6510 (EL)
This NFRCP provides the framework for the protection, conservation, sustainable use and management of Samoa's forest resources. With deforestation having severe impacts on the
environment, sustainable management and development of forest resources is a target environmental area or growing concern for Samoa. This policy will ensure deforestation and utilization of forest resources are sustainably managed for now and the future.
Kept in vertical file collection
Call Number: VF 6511 (EL)
Physical Description: 30 p. ; 29 cm
Pacific Island communities are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters ranging from tropical cyclones, drought, floods, storm surges and tsunamis. Each year, these events result in significant loss of life, the destruction of homes, public infrastructure and livelihoods and the reversal of hard-won economic gains. Recently, deadly tsunami and earthquake events in the Indian Ocean region have focused the attention of the world community, particularly those living in small islands and coastal regions, to the need for greater vigilance in disaster prevention and preparedness.
Declining bird populations signal disturbing global changes.
Almost 1,200 speciesabout 12 percent of the world's
9800 bird speciesmay face extinction within the next cen-
tury. Although many face multiple threats and some bird
extinctions seem imminent, many can be avoided by a deep
commitment to bird conservation as part of a sustainable
development strategy.
full text available on ecopy "FL" field
Call Number: VF 6519,VF 3581,[EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 1-878071-68-8
The objective of this study is to provide decision makers in the European Commission and other partner countries with sufficient information to identify European Commission cooperation activities with specific environmental objectives and to establish environmental safeguards for other activities.
5 copies
Call Number: 333.7'9595 MOU,[EL]
Physical Description: 74 pages; 29 cm
Of the many stakeholders and actors in Fiji, those that might be identified as key will vary depending on the issue involved and the circumstances surrounding it. Those discussed in this study have been identified because of their importance in relation to the major issues of current concern.
Call Number: VF 6518 (EL)
Physical Description: 80 p. ; 29 cm
This paper seeks to explain the social and cultural characteristics of Samoa and to outline the ways in which they affect the course of Samoa's national development. It appears as a companion to the paper on Tonga in the series the two papers were prepared using a common conceptual framework, and readers interested in the contrasts between the two countries may wish
to read both papers.
A report of the World Bank
Call Number: VF 3308 (EL)
Physical Description: 59 p. ; 29 cm
The primary resources for tins project were the statutes of Fiji. Several dozen enacted laws govern the allocation and disposition of resources, or access to and use of the environment. Together, this legislation provides the framework for natural resources and environmental decision making. Three other relevant statutes exist in draft form. Much of the effort of this project was devoted to reviewing this legislation, to identify both its policy intention and substantive provisions. Governmental administrators were also approached to clarify
The International Waters Project (IWP) aims to strengthen the management and conservation of marine, coastal and freshwater resources in the Pacific Islands region. It is financed through
the International Waters Programme of the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), in conjunction with the governments of the 14 participating independent Pacific Island countries.
There is no shortage of provisions relating to waste management issues in the current laws of Kiribati. While it may be useful to consider the opportunities for recognising the role of the community in waste management under the laws of Kiribati, there would appear to be only limited scope for effective legislative action in this regard. The role of Local Government Councils is clear and this is effectively provided for the in the Local Government Act 1984.
The International Waters Programme is implementing the Strategic Action Plan for the countries of the South Pacific. Activities in Kiribati under the IWP are focused on waste management issues and the effects that waste disposal has on water supply and coastal waters. Pilot projects, particularly involving the
Bikenibeu West Community, are proposed to address the fundamental causes of terrestrial derived wastes at community level. At a national level it is proposed to review the structure, functions and operations of the waste management
Knowledge is critical for sound natural resource man-
agement. All phases of NRMplanning, implementation, monitoring, and decision makingare knowledge intensive. In many cases, knowledge, more than financial resources, is key to getting rural development going. There are new methods and tools for knowledge management that can increase the effectiveness
and efficiency of NRM.
Call Number: VF 6547 (EL)
Physical Description: 36 p. ; 29 cm
The Niue Village Councils Act is out dated and its effectiveness is affected by references to former offices and the previous colonial authority and administration. There are concerns about the means by which by-laws can be brought into force. Other aspects of this law mitigate against making use of it to
provide for the effective management of marine protected areas in villages.
1st page kept in vertical file collection but full e-copy can be accessed through "FL" field
Call Number: VF 6549 (EL)
The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was originally established as a result of a decision taken at the Conference on the Human Environment in the South Pacific held in Rarotonga in 1982. It was established as a separate entity within the South Pacific Commission (SPC - now the Secretariat of the Pacific Community) based in Noumea, New Caledonia; and formed part of the UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
Specific attention is given to laws that facilitate community involvement. This is because the ToR note that "the principal focus of the IW Programme is community-based activities
associated with the conservation and preservation of freshwater, community-based waste management and the sustainable use of coastal resources". The village inspired by-laws under
the Fisheries Act are an illustration of this approach being adopted in another context. The Internal Affairs Act and the Village Fono Act both make relevant provision in this regard.