SPC Introduces New Approaches To Climate Change

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SPC Introduces New Approaches To Climate Change

Tuesday 13 November 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea, New Caledonia

Regional government delegates meeting in Noumea this week at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community will discuss the new approaches to climate change adaptation that the organisation is using to assist Pacific Island countries and territories tackle the 21st century challenge.

‘Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and affect infrastructure, transport, marine ecosystems, agricultural food production and health, as well as access to safe drinking water,’ says Dr Jimmie Rodgers, SPC Director-General.

SPC is taking a cross-cutting approach to climate change adaptation, recognising that tackling just one aspect of an issue is unlikely to lead to long-term sustainable solutions.

For example, a ‘ridge-to-reef’ approach being trialled in Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands, combines work across several sectors, including agriculture, forestry, water, infrastructure, fisheries and health, together with the efforts of landowning communities, the government, other development partners and regional agencies.

Another project the organisation is implementing in Vava’u, Tonga, integrates land-based water management elements with coastal zone management and near-shore fisheries.

To work effectively, this approach needs commitment from national-level stakeholders and willingness on the part of government ministries and communities to work together. The organisation is also working with countries and development partners to design and implement integrated, ‘one team’ methods.

The 42nd Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA), the annual meeting of SPC’s governing body, is being held from 12 to 16 November 2012 at its headquarters in Noumea.

SPC is a Pacific-based international intergovernmental organisation that assists Pacific Islands countries and territories by delivering a wide range of technical, research, educational and planning services. It has 26 members comprising 22 Pacific Islands countries and territories and four metropolitan members, Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America.

CRGA is a committee of SPC’s governing body, the Conference of the Pacific Community, which meets every two years. In years that the Conference does not meet, CRGA is empowered to make decisions on SPC’s work programme and governance issues.

This annual event allows representatives of SPC’s 26 member countries to meet, exchange ideas and make decisions about the future of the organisation.

The 42nd session of CRGA will focus on strengthening relations across SPC’s divisions, the organisation’s new strategic plan for the 2013–2017 period, and its response to the recommendations made by the recent independent external review.

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