EU-GIZ partnership to benefit island communities

EU-GIZ partnership to benefit island communities and schools through improved supply of clean water, access to solar-powered electricity and fuel from biogas
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October 4, 2016. Suva, Fiji. Fourteen Pacific island countries and Timor Leste are working on 22 projects to increase resilience and improve access to fresh water and energy for island communities.

The projects are funded by the European Union, through their EDF10 Pacific Regional Programme (PRIP). The specific programme ‘Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE)’ costs €35.5 million (FJD 80.7 million) and is administered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), while the PRIP is coordinated by the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, which acts as the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) for the overall programme.

Many small island countries face a shortage of clean water and the changing climate is expected to make the situation worse. In light of this, the EU-GIZ ACSE projects in the Cook Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste are implementing improved rainwater harvesting systems and installing water tanks in schools and communities.

These Islands also rely on the import of different types of fuel. To curb this expensive and environmentally unsustainable practise, ACSE projects in the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, will install solar hybrid power generators, biogas digesters, and support improved legislation and education programmes for sustainable energy.

Palau, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Vanuatu will combine these measures with activities to improve food security in the areas of aquaculture, meat and vegetable production, and fishing.
Other measures, implemented in two countries, will strengthen the resilience against disaster risks and climate change impacts in coastal areas through a range of coastal protection measures including mangrove rehabilitation. The projects will also support the relocation of homes and school buildings affected by the intrusion of sea water.

Representatives of the countries participating in the EU-GIZ ACSE Programme are currently in Suva, Fiji as part of the annual Steering Committee Meeting.
The EU Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Corrado Pampaloni said ''Pacific countries and other small island developing states are on the front line in the battle against climate change and the European Union stands shoulder to shoulder with its Pacific partners in this fight.'' The EU is proud to support sustainable energy and climate change adaption- something that has identified by governments as top priorities in the region.''

EU-GIZ ACSE Programme Director, Dr Wulf Killmann said “Pacific Islanders are particularly affected by the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. The EU-GIZ ACSE programme, hand – in hand with other efforts undertaken by the European Union, the German Government and other donors, will assist Pacific Islanders to strengthen their resilience against these impacts. We are all aware, however, that much more has to be done.”

The Programme has projects in Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, and Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

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