The environmental needs of small island developing countries were given special attention at the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 as was the need to determine "how the new global framework for sustainable development can be put into action in island countries" (Miles, 1993, p. 34). The environment is a vital resource for all island developing states. Its special
Human needs and desires demand economic development.
Natural resources provide the physical basis for that
development. But ever more evidence accumulates to show that
human actions, whether through carelessness or through the
necessity for development, are causing environmental
degradation and resource depletion. This deterioration makes
continued economic development more difficult both because
damage to resources makes them less productive of economic
goods and because funding and human effort must be diverted
Economic development activities in the South Pacific island countries have increased in momentum in recent years, often with
significant environmental effects on the limited resource base of island ecosystems.
Available in e-copy
Call Number: 363.707155 ONO [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 982-04-0081-3
Physical Description: iv, p.10 . ; 29 cm
The Maori language of the Cook Islands is derived from those of Eastern Polynesia, except for Pukapuka which has a Samoa-related language. Despite the Eastern Polynesia origin of plant and
A report for the Government of Niue|1 copy and also available online
Call Number: 333.715 ONO [EL]
Physical Description: 19 p. : ill. ; 29 cm
Environmental Impact Assessment is the assessment of the impact that a development project will have on the environment.
EIA is a management activity, like architecture, engineering design, economic assessment, and market, research. The goal of an EIA is to predict how a development project will effect the natural and human environment, and to minimize the effects.
Available online
Call Number: 333.714 SOU [EL]
Physical Description: 38 p. : ill. ; 29 cm
The Regional Seas Programme was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1974 in response to the selection of the oceans as a priority area by the UNEP Governing Council. It is a global programme implemented through regional
components under the guidance of the Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
Each regional action plan is formulated by the Governments concerned to respond to the needs of the region for a comprehensive approach to controlling both the consequences
The paramount policy objective of the Niuean Government is to work for the maintenance of a 'living community'. The promotion of economic development in Niue is essential to the maintenance of a living community because it provides a sense of purpose which can no longer be derived from traditional subsistence activities, or even from Public Service employment, unless there is a wider community to serve. This sense of purpose becomes
The Republic of Nauru is a single raised limestone island or makatea with a total area of only 22 km2 (Figure 1), but with jurisdiction over 320,000 km2 of ocean surrounding the island under the United Nations Law of the Sea convention. The island consists mainly of a flat plateau that descends to a narrow coastal fringe where most of the population dwell. The plateau interior contains extensive deposits of phosphate bearing rock which have been mined since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Until recently, pollution of the environment was considered a
serious problem only in the highly industralised and heavily
populated areas of the world. However, with the steady
increase in population, urban migration and an increase in
industrial development, the need to reduce pollution of the
air, water resources (both fresh and estuarine) and in some
cases of land in developing countries is becoming quite
critical. This, is particularly important in the South Pacific
in view of the geographical isolation and the ecological
The paramount policy objective of the Niuean Government is to work for the maintenance of a "living community" in Niue. This
resulted in the publication, in 1987, of the Niue Concerted Action Plan (NCAP) 1988-1990. This document continued to serve as the planning document until June '1991, due to Cyclone Of a in 1990, and it has been quoted extensively in this report.
The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) contracted
with SPREP's Climate Change Programme to act as an independent
regional consultant to determine likely environmental impacts of locating and operating an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) in the Republic of Nauru. In particular, ARM is concerned with the appropriate improvement of the seawall at the proposed ARCS site.
Call Number: 333.7109685 ONO [EL],VF 0783
ISBN/ISSN: 982-04-0175-5
The Strategy and Work Programme states that there is little information available on the level of shipping activities operating through, into, and within the region, and on the types of cargoes involved. Accordingly, the document proposes that a study of shipping activities in the region be carried out. Recent information suggests that the study may be funded through SPKEP in the foreseeable future.
6 copies
Call Number: 363.1236 PRE,341.762,[EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 982-04-0156-9
The American Samoa Government (ASG) is now in receipt of the
Economic Development Plan 1979-1984 (EDP). It anticipates receipt in the
near future of a companion document, the Quality of Life Plan (QLP). The
recently complied Coastal Zone Management^. (CZMP) has been authorized
by the ASG with effect from 1 September 1980 but has yet to receive
(tne anticipated) Federal endorsement. The EDP and the QLP together form
the comprehensive Development Plan for American Samoa, while the CZMP is a
The fifteen Cook Islands are distinguished by being vastly separated from
each other and varying greatly in terms of their population numbers and
resource endowments. The necessity therefore arises in this Country Report
to make a distinction, geographically, between environmental concerns on
the larger, more densely and more technologically developed Rarotonga;
the other southern Cook high islands with their mixed volcanic and limestone
soils, balanced populations and reasonably harmonious development? and
French Polynesia comprises approximately 130 islands,
including one hundred of which are atolls and thirty high islands
somewhat larger.
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1172 [EL],VF 1268
Physical Description: 12 p. ; 29 cm
The Government of Kiribati in th eNational Development Plan 1979-82 statedthat it would introduce measures "to protect the environment from pollution and irresponsible commercial depredation".
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1174 [EL]
Physical Description: 12 Pages
The Niue Government is in receipt of its first National Development
Plan (NNDP 1980-1985) which contains chapters on social development
(4 1Macroplan') and social services (Chapters 19 to 23); comprehen-
sive physical or regional plans for land and coastal resource use
are hampered mainly due to the existing tenure system.
The major resource utilisation activities are agriculture and
inshore fishing. There is no physical plan co-ordinating these
activities. Government priorities in the Development Plan are
The Government of Papua New Guinea passed an environment and
conservation policy statement in September 1975, following the
adoption of an explicit reference to environmental matters in
the Five National Goals and Directive Principles of the
Constitution.
Kept in the Vertical File|available online
Call Number: VF 1177 [EL] VF 1297
Physical Description: 33 p. ; 29 cm
Tokelau has not commited itself to any international environmental convention or treaties as the New Zealand Government acts and safeguards the rights of Tokelau's political development, New Zealand declared Tokelau's Exclusive Economic Zone on April 1, 1980, which then, introduces Tokelau to international laws.
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1179 [EL]
Physical Description: 5 Pages