Niue’s private sector has been the major driver of economic development in Niue in the last eight years and continues to be the largest component of Niue’s economy particularly in the tourism sector. However, climate change poses as a major threat to the continued development of the private sector given the projected increase in the frequency of high intensity climate-induced events such as cyclones and from emerging climate threats - increasing sea surface temperature, ocean acidification and subsequent impacts on the health of the ocean and marine resources that underpins development in the productive sectors (e.g. tourism, agriculture and fisheries) of Niue.
This led to the development of a private sector programme of reforms and interventions under the Niue Green Climate Fund National Designated Authority (GCF NDA) Readiness and Support Programme to address barriers and challenges currently constraining the private sector to effectively manage these risks. SPREP as the Delivery Partner for the project, engaged a consultant to support the implementation of this programme for the Niue Chamber of Commerce (NCOC) in collaboration with the Government of Niue. “It’s our responsibility to ensure our stakeholders, in this respect Chamber of Commerce, is prepared and equipped with the necessary means of accessing GCF resources. The Private Sector Facility under GCF aims to promote private sector climate action. This is what the NDA is wanting to establish with the development of the options paper, to promote climate action with our private sector” (Felicia Pihigia Talagi, Director of the Project Management Coordination Unit).
Stakeholder consultations started with a face-to-face consultation in April 2020 with further virtual consultations to inform the development of the private sector assessment and options report focusing on the tourism and agriculture as priority productive sectors, their adaptive capacity in light of the climate change risks and interventions to strengthen the resilience of these sectors. The report also provided key actions to enhance the capacity of NCOC to effectively execute its function as the focal point for private sector advocacy and coordination. “The Niue Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the private sector looks forward to continuing working to implement the Options Paper. The GCF Readiness programme in collaboration with PMCU & SPREP has been invaluable.” Lini Scott of the Niue Chamber of Commerce stated.
