PNG, Timor-Leste and Cook Islands are three of the fifteen Pacific ACP countries where the €12 million EU funded Intra-ACP GCCA+ Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) proposes to scale up adaptation/ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) pilots and to deliver better regional and national adaptation and mitigation responses to climate change challenges. The PNG and Timor-Leste component under KRA 3 of the project will be jointly implemented by SPREP, SPC and USP. Cook Islands component under KRA 2 is delivered by SPREP.
In PNG, SPREP is undertaking the “Building Resilience to Climate Change and Natural Disasters in Karama and nearby communities, Malalaua District,” project. Five actions were selected for implementation to match the value of funding. Implementation was completed in February and June 2023, which included Installation of three new rainwater tanks.
- Refresher training on mangrove nursery maintenance and planting
- Support in reviewing a suitable flood-free location for a single nursery, to be built by the local community using readily available materials.
- A rapid agricultural assessment to support new food cultivars.
- Completion of a flood, food and water security focussed Disaster Management Plan
Remaining activities include the scaling up of rainwater catchment project in Keapara to include Karawa and Alukuni villages, Rigo District, Central Province. Contractor has been awarded and currently implementing installation of rainwater tanks and solar streetlights. These works are expected to be completed by 30 November 2023.
The SPREP component of the project is entitled ‘Enhancing water security project at Larisula and Haupu.’ The project implements activities for the installation of water supply system network in the rural communities of Larisula, Baucau Municipality and Haupu, Ermera Municipality as well as carrying out capacity building for communities to ensure sustainability of the systems and to be completed by end December 2023.
Regional efforts led by SPREP to scale up support for the review and development of climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster resilience strategies and policies includes Cook Islands. Support has been provided to develop guiding documents to the development of the Cook Islands Climate Change Act.