Over the past decade since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio, there has been only modest progress in the Asia-Pacific Region towards sustainable development. Since 1992, environmental quality in the Region has deteriorated. In advance of the September, 2002, World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), a number of agencies active in the Asia-Pacific Region, including ADB, ESCAP, UNDP, and UNEP, agreed to co-ordinate a series of subregional and regional preparatory meetings.
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have committed themselves to considering the special needs and concerns of developing countries resulting from the adverse effects of climate change in the area of insurance. The needs of small island states have been are highlighted for attention, due to their unique geographic features and exposure, and thus unique vulnerability.1
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 49 p.
This paper suggests that this terrestrial and marine biodiversity inheritance constitutes the foundation upon which rests the survival of the relatively benign and peaceful ways of life in the Pacific ("Peaceful") Ocean. It is stressed that this inheritance, including traditional knowledge concerning it, is endangered by modem development and education, and that if it is not maintained or strengthened, the cultures, economies and rich biodiversity inheritances of Pacific societies WILL NOT SURVIVE.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
This thesis applies an approach of political ecology to analyze environmental change in the Cook Islands in the context of the fiscal crisis of the state in the 1990's. Questions and methods from both human and physical geography are brought to the empirical case. Corruption and financial management surrounding a hotel development on Rarotonga, Cook Islands presents a case of "criminal ecology" This research finds that the Pacific
The guidelines provide advice on watching whales and dolphins in the wild, including observations from the land, water or air as well as activities such as swimming and diving, feeding, touching, and making noise. They are relevant to all Australian
waters (Commonwealth, State and Territory) and cover all people watching whales and dolphins including both commercial operators and the general public.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 20 p.
Estimates vary but Nauru has probably been occupied for at least 3000 years. Although the people are considered Micronesians. the island was probably discovered by different ethnic groups at different times - there are indications of both Melanesian and Polynesian influences - and their descendents combined to form today's ethnic Nauruans. The language of Nauru is unique and gives few hints of its origins. Traditional Nauru society
is matrilineal and is based on 12 tribal grouping.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
This report presents the results of field studies of the National Forest Inventory. Details of the survey methodology and coverage are provided and summaries of results are presented.
We found coral diversity to be relatively high, especially at both tips of the island. Here we estimated the hard coral coverage to be about 30-40% and soft coral coverage about 25%. However, dead Pocillopora and Acropora colonies, already
overgrown by algae, were scattered throughout the reef. On the northwest windward side of the island we encountered vast areas of bare rock with nibble filling the crevasses. Even in deeper zones live hard coral coverage was estimated to be only
This is an Environmental Impact Assessment report on Tonga Power Limiteds proposed biomass power
generation plant at Eua. This is off the eastern coast of Tongatapu Island, the capital island of the Kingdom of
Tonga. The principal objective is to improve energy supply with an increasing use of renewable energy.
Prepared for Tonga Power Limited
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 45p. : ill. (col.) ; 29cm.
This draft model law has been designed specifically for countries which have already enacted
comprehensive marine pollution legislation, and in particular the model Marine Pollution
Prevention Act prepared by SPC and SPREP, and last revised in 2002. For countries that have not
enacted marine pollution legislation of that nature, it is recommended that instead of using this
draft model law, consideration be given to enacting comprehensive marine pollution legislation
This document is aligned with the Terms of Reference (TOR) issued by National
Environment Services (NES) for guidance and advice in the preparation of
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Installation of Tanker Moorings and
Construction of a Sub-sea Pipeline.
The TOR identifies all issues that need to be addressed by the EIA.
Both facilities are for the purpose of conveying petroleum fuels into onshore storage
facilities.
Tanker mooring facilities are located offshore at Areanu Tapere, Avarua District.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for a proposed coastal reclamation
by Terra Holdings Limited at Kawenu Cove, Fatumaru Bay was prepared by BECON in
September 2011. The EIA Report was submitted to DEPC in October 2011. The Review
Committee met on 4 November 2011 as per section 22 subsections (1) and (2) of the
Environmental Management and Conservation (Amendment) Act No 28 of 2010 and
section 12 (b) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Order No of 2011.
Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are heavily dependent on natural resources and likely to remain so for the near future, making resource management an issue of critical importance for economic development. This chapter employs a simple neoclassical
growth model to diagnose deficiencies in current policy regimes and suggest possible alternatives. Current practices in the exploitation of the regions mineral, tuna, and forest resources are used to illustrate problems and suggest possible policy interventions.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
The Guidelines for the Assessment of Wastes or Other Matter that May be Considered for Dumping, referred to in short as the "Generic Guidelines'; as well as the Specific Guidelines for
Assessment of Bulky items primarily comprising steel, etc., addressed in this document are intended for use by national authorities responsible for regulating dumping of wastes and
embody a mechanism to guide national authorities in evaluating applications for dumping of wastes in a manner consistent with the provisions of the London Convention 1972 or the 1996
Integrated waste management systems should possess elements of reduction, collection, recycling, and disposal. One of the significant challenges for waste managers is prioritising
and apportioning their budget between these elements to get the best outcome.
Constitution - The constitution of a country usually mentions the environment in the preamble, but not in the substance of the
constitution. E.g. Soloman Islands took into account the importance of the environment and that the resources belonged to the people. Resources are usually under common law and under the power of the state, so this was a paradigm shift. Unfortunately, the new government will not include this proposal that the environment belongs to the people.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Economic instruments are market-based incentives or disincentives that aim to change behaviour or consumption patterns. Incentives will reward desirable changes whereas charges can be placed on goods or services to attempt to include the environmental and / or economic costs of waste management in the ultimate price the consumer pays at purchase (polluter pays).
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 2 Pages
Because of increasing service demand, government subsidies and foreign aids are not enough for PIF countries to cover its SWM service cost.
Efficient and equitable user fee collection is essential for the
sustainable SWM service delivery.
Many countries piggy-back user fee on electricity bill or water bill.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 Pages
Mangroves are very special and unique trees.Mangroves are among the few trees that can grow in sea water as well as in places where the saltwater mixes with the fresh water from the land.
Mangroves grow in places with muddy soil and a protected shoreline. They live in large groups called "mangrove forests".
The mangrove forest is home to many different types of plants and trees.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 Pages
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have committed themselves to considering the special needs and concerns of developing countries resulting from the adverse effects of climate change in the area of insurance. The needs of small island states have been are highlighted for attention, due to their unique geographic features and exposure, and thus unique vulnerability.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 49 p.