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Government of the Republic of Kiribati
Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy
Vision Statement: -“The People of Kiribati continue to enjoy a safe and healthy environment that is resilient to the impacts of global climate change and supports livelihoods, human health, and sustainable development”
Coordinated by Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) June 2013
FOREWORD
The Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy (KIEP) is a key strategic policy document that marks an important milestone for the Government of Kiribati. It sets a solid policy platform for long term planning and action to respond to priority environmental issues, in particular the impacts of global climate change on our islands. It is a statement of intent and a document providing guidance and direction for government, local communities, development partners and all other stakeholders. This document is particularly relevant for 2012 the year of Rio+20 as we take stock of what we have done since the Earth Summit in 1992 and look to the future.
The KIEP is formulated through a 3 year broad based consultation process with government, private sector, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Community Support Organizations (CSO), outer islands and regional organizations like the Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP). The consultation process proved to be a challenge due to the broad coverage of the environment sector.
The Government of Kiribati recognizes the environment as one of the three important pillars of sustainable development. The environment, its goods and its services is the foundation of livelihoods, human health and economy in Kiribati. It formed our culture and heritage and shapes the unique custom, traditions and way of living of the Kiribati people. This harmonious interaction with our atoll environment has sustained our people since time immemorial and needs to continue to do so.
People will always rely heavily on the environment to service their needs. Protecting, managing and utilizing the environment sustainable basis are vital, especially in a low-lying nation like Kiribati. Like many other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDC), Kiribati has suffered heavily the impacts of globalization in particular global climate change. The transition from a traditional subsistence lifestyle to a contemporary market-based economy, has brought with it key environmental challenges that adversely affect the overall health of the environment. Some of these key environmental challenges like the loss of island biodiversity, waste and pollution and the unsustainable use of natural resources are further magnified by the impacts of global climate change.
These challenges are most apparent in the heavily populated urban centres of Betio, South Tarawa and increasingly on Kiritimati Island. Increased human population, urbanization at alarming levels, degradation of the natural environment due to increased generation of nonbiodegradable wastes and pollution put both the environment and economy under tremendous strain.
The KIEP recognizes and is intended to support and complement all other government strategic policy documents. It integrates all the thematic plans and strategies within the Environment and Conservation Division’s mandate into a single strategic framework document. It will facilitate ‘on the ground’ implementation of the environment key policy area of the Kiribati Development Plan 2012 – 2015. Thus, the KIEP will enhance the Government’s effort to mainstream the environment into the national development planning as well as assisting to provide a framework that would assist line Ministries, development partners, communities and other stakeholders to effectively contribute to our collective actions to address environmental problems. This initiative is the first of its kind in the Pacific Islands region that also assists to set the scene by SPREP to replicate in other Pacific Islands as relevant.
We have learnt a lot during the formulation of the KIEP. The main lesson is the need to work together and as the National Political Focal Point for the environment, I invite and challenge you to join me in using the KIEP to make this implementation practical, concrete and a reality to fulfil the KIEP’s Vision:
“The People of Kiribati continue to enjoy a safe and healthy environment that is resilient to the impacts of global climate change and supports livelihoods, human health, and sustainable development”
Ami bwai Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa.
Kam bati n rabwa.
______________
Honourable Minister – Tiarite Kwong
Minister for Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The development of the Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy (KIEP) is a notable national initiative on mainstreaming environment in the national development planning and this could not be accomplished without the contributions of many people.
An acknowledgement of the contributions of national key stakeholders during the three broad based consultations undertaken in August and December (2011) and January (2012) and thematic working groups meetings, which led to the formulation of the KIEP draft and finalization. These national stakeholders made up the various environment project committees including the Climate Change Study Team (CCST), Sustainable Land Management (SLM), National Biodiversity Planning Committee (NBPC), National Chemical Coordinating Committee (NCCC) and Waste Management Committee. These stakeholders include;
- Office of Te Beretitenti (OB)
- Ministry of Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MCTTD)
- Ministry of Commerce Industry and Cooperatives (MCIC)
- Ministry of Education (MoE)
- Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD)
- Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED)
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development (MFMRD)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI)
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)
- Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs (MISA)
- Ministry of Public Works and Utilities (MPWU)
- Ministry of Labour and Human Resources Development (MLHRD)
- Ministry of Line & Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID)
Acknowledging the contributions of the State Own Enterprises (KOIL and PUB), NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs) which include the University of the South Pacific (USP), United Nations Development Programme, Kiribati Association of Non-Government Organizations (KANGO), Councils and Churches. Also appreciating the inputs received from the Outer Islands consultations undertaken during 2009 to 2011 including but not limited to Butaritari, Marakei, Abaiang, North Tarawa, Maiana, Aranuka, Abemama, Tabiteuea North and Onotoa
The support by the Secretaries in releasing their respective Officers to attend the series of consultations during the initial stage of the development of the KIEP and the subsequent submission of critical comments on the draft is acknowledged.
The support and guidance provided by the MELAD present and former admin officers throughout the whole process is recognized.
The inspiration of the former Director of the Environment and Conservation Division, Mrs. Tererei Abete-Reema, her leadership in securing the approval for the development of the KIEP and for galvanizing a strong support from staff in undertaking this national important work. Also recognizing the perseverance and unwavering support and determination by the present and former Environment and Conservation Division staff in the whole process in undertaking the ground work including the contribution in the drafting.
A special acknowledgement of the invaluable technical assistance provided by the Environmental Monitoring and Governance Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP): Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra (Director), Dr. Jill Key (Capacity Development Adviser), Mr. Tepa Suaesi (Environment Officer) and Ms. Easter Galuvao (Biodiversity Advisor) are all gratefully acknowledged.
We would like to acknowledge the kind financial support provided by the Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) project for the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) funded by the European Union (EU), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed in the Pacific by SPREP; the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA) implemented through UNOPs, the Climate Change Second National Communications (SNC), and the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) both Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded projects implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
LIST OF ACRONYMS
ALD | Agriculture and Livestock Division |
AusAID | Australian Assistance for International Development |
BTC | Betio Town Council |
CBPA | Community-based Protected Area |
CDRC | Curriculum Development and Resources Centre |
CI | Conservation International |
CMNPHS | College of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health Sciences |
CSO | Civil Society Organizations |
EC | European Commission |
ECD | Environment and Conservation Division |
EHU | Environment Health Unit |
EPU | Economic Planning Unit |
ESAT | Environmentally Safe Aggregates Tarawa |
EU | European Union |
EHU | Environmental Health Unit |
FFA | Forum Fisheries Agency |
FNU | Fiji National University |
IUCN | International Union of Conservation Nations |
ITPGFRA | Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture |
JICA | Japan International Cooperation Agency |
KANGO | Kiribati Association of Non-governmental Organisations |
KCCI | Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
KDP | Kiribati Development Plan |
KiriCAN | Kiribati Climate Action Network |
KIEP | Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy |
KPA | Kiribati Ports Authority |
KHC | Kiribati Housing Corporation |
KPS | Kiribati Police Services |
KMS | Kiribati Meteorological Station |
KNTO | Kiribati National Tourism Office |
KUC | Kiritimati Urban Council |
LMD | Lands Management Division |
MEA Multi Environment Agreement
MCTTD Ministry of Communication, Tourism and Transport Development
MCIC Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives
MELAD Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development
MFAI Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
MFED Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
MFMRD Ministry of Fisheries, Mineral and Resources Development
MHMS Ministry of Health and Medical Services
MISA Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs
MLHRD Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development
MOE Ministry of Education
MOP Ministry Operational Plan
MPWU Ministry of Public Works and Utilities
NEPO National Economic Planning Office
NGO Non-Government Organization
NSO National Statistics Office
NZAID New Zealand Assistance for International Development
OAG Office of the Attorney General
OB Office of Te-Beretitenti
PET Polyethylene terephthalate
PNA Party to the Nauru Agreement
PSO Public Service Office
PUB Public Utilities Board
SLM Sustainable Land Management
SOPAC Pacific Islands Applied Geosciences Commission
SPC Secretary of the Pacific Community
SPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme
TUC Teinainano Urban Council
WEU Water Engineering Unit
UDP Urban Development Project
UNCBD United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Land
Degradation and Droughts
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
USP University of the South Pacific
TABLE OF CONTENT FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1
POLICY FRAMEWORK
1.1 Environment and Development Context
1.2 Rationale for a Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy
1.3 Process of KIEP Formulation
1.4 Vision Statement
1.5 Mandate and Scope of the Policy
1.6 Policy Goal and Objectives
1.7 Roles and Responsibilities
1.8 Consultation and Coordination
1.9 Regional and Global Environment Frameworks
2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
2.1 Leadership and Good Governance
2.2 Collective Responsibility for the Environment
2.3 Indigenous Knowledge, Practices and Innovations
2.4 Integration of the Environment and Development
3 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT PLAN 2012-2015
3.1 Climate Change
3.2 Island Biodiversity Conservation and Management
3.3 Waste Management and Pollution Control
3.4 Resource Management
3.5 Environmental Governance
4 HUMAN RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
5 IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEWING SCHEDULE 6 REFERENCES
1 POLICY FRAMEWORK
1.1 Environment and Development Context
The Republic of Kiribati is a small island nation consisting of 32 atolls and one raised coral island with a total land area of 800 square kilometres spread over an oceanic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 3.5 million square kilometres.Kiribati lies close to the equator, located between latitude 4 degrees north and 11 degrees south; and longitude 170 degrees east and150 degrees west.There are three island chains with the Gilbert Islands in the west, the Phoenix Islands in the centre and the Line Islands in the east. Kiribati was part of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and gained its independence in 1979. In the 2010 census Kiribati had a population of 103,000.
The island atolls of Kiribati support a rich culture that relies heavily on a diverse and healthy marine environment for its survival. As self-contained systems, islands are living laboratories for evolution– each one holds an irreplaceable piece of Kiribati’s natural inheritance. Because of their isolation these islands support more rare and endangered species per capita than most other places in the world. Kiribati’s ocean waters are amongst the most productive and least polluted on earth, it has one of the largest stocks of tuna and related pelagic species that underpins its national economy.
Since it was first settled, the people of Kiribati have relied on their natural resources for survival. They still do with an estimated 80% of the population primarily living a subsistence life style. The marine environment sustains them and they depend on it for food, transport, traditional practices and economic opportunity. On atolls the terrestrial environment is more limited but it is essential for water, food and shelter.
The transition from a traditional subsistence lifestyle to a contemporary market-based economy has brought with it key environmental challenges. These challenges are most apparent in the heavily populated urban centres of Betio, South Tarawa and to a certain extent Kiritimati Island. South Tarawa is also where over 50% of the population live. Kiribati is one of the countries’ most vulnerable to global climate change and addressing the impacts of global climate change dominates the national environment and development agenda. However, Kiribati needs to address climate change in an integrated and holistic manner considering the other key areas of biodiversity conservation, waste and pollution management and sustainable use of natural resources, in particular marine and water resources. Eco-system based approaches need to be adopted to ensure that development aspirations are sustained by natural systems. The need for behavioural change to address environmental problems, in particular waste management and the critical need for pollution control on South Tarawa as the capital island to some extent, Kiritimati Island, is most readily apparent not only on heavily populated urban centres but also on other Islands.
Since independence Kiribati has managed its development through a 4 year development planning cycle. The current Kiribati Development Plan (KDP) 2008 -2011 had for the first time Environment as one of its Key Policy Areas (KPA 4) amongst its 6 Key Policy Areas. The Kiribati government is currently in the process of reviewing this development plan and formulating the KDP 2012-2015. This Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy (KIEP) is intended to contribute to the review and revised targets and activities of the KDP 2012-2015. It also sets the direction towards long-term preparations and planning towards building and enhancing the resilience of Kiribati, its local communities and people to respond to the impacts of global climate change.
1.2 Rationale for a Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy
The environment has emerged as a Key Policy Area (KPA) of the KDP since 2008. This is a huge ‘break through success’ for the environment sector considering for the first time, the appearance of the environment on the development agenda for Kiribati at national level. Building on this, the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development (MELAD) seizes the opportunity to enhance the mainstreaming of the environment into the national development agenda, through the development of the KIEP. The KIEP bridges the gap in fulfilling and advancing the objectives of the Kiribati National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS) that was developed in 1993. One of the objectives of the NEMS is to coordinate the various environmental activities. In the absence of a review to bring the NEMS in line with Kiribati’s current and emerging environmental issues there has been an evolution of various key environment thematic area plans and action strategies. The complexity of issues surrounding the implementation of these plans and action strategies and the supporting roles of the various stakeholders from other line Ministries and civil society prompted the need for effective mechanisms. Such mechanisms would strengthen the coordination and collaboration between MELAD and the various Government Ministries and civil society in order to enhance their collective impact and effectiveness in addressing current and emergent environmental problems and issues in a holistic manner.
Hence, the KIEP is aimed at strengthening the coordination, collaboration and coherent implementation of the existing thematic environmental area plans and activities. It helps clarify the roles and responsibilities of the different networks of relevant and key sectors and stakeholders in a rapidly expanding national environmental planning regime and to develop mechanisms that will increase effective stakeholder consultation, interaction and cooperation.
The KIEP will serve as the framework document through which, activities carried out under the Environment KPA will be guided. It does not replace the existing thematic area plans and action strategies but rather provides an integrated framework for their effective implementation. The KIEP will be tied into the term of the KDP and seeks to strengthen the environment pillar and, in that way effectively contributes towards the sustainable development of the Republic of Kiribati. It will follow the KDP’s monitoring and review cycle.
The KIEP is also structured in a way that reflects the important roles of other Line Ministries outside MELAD that have direct or indirect roles to supporting environment protection and management from their respective portfolios. The KIEP is a blueprint document that will provide direct technical support towards achieving expected outputs under the relevant strategies of this key priority area, especially in areas concerning environment protection and management. The KIEP also provides a comprehensive roadmap towards addressing national priority problems that affect the overall health of the environment, as well as affecting the environment protection and management at the national level. As a roadmap, the KIEP also serves as a guide to the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of MELAD as the Environment Authority in Kiribati, towards long term preparations and planning to respond to the impacts of global climate change and subsequently enhance the resilience of the environment.
1.3 Process of KIEP Formulation
The outcome of a series of outer islands and national consultations undertaken throughout Kiribati from 2009 – 2011 have been instrumental in identifying national priority areas that affect environmental protection and management in Kiribati. These have also contributed to the KIEP formulation. The KIEP has been formulated through participatory consultative processes where the initial stakeholder consultations were undertaken with various outer islands. This was followed by in depth discussions by thematic working groups on the outcomes of the consultations to come up with the first draft. The first draft was circulated to members of the thematic area working groups for comments. A second round of consultations was then undertaken to 9 outer islands - Butaritari, Marakei, Abaiang, North Tarawa, Beru, Tabiteuea South, Beru, and Onotoa were visited to do participatory consultations with stakeholders at the island, village and local community levels. This is to solicit views on the first draft and raise new issues. The findings of the inter-island consultation, together with stakeholder comments on the first draft and further discussions by the thematic groups were used to consolidate into a draft that was presented and discussed with stakeholders in a half day workshop on 2ndDecember, 2011. The outcome of this second round of consultations makes up the 2nddraft which was circulated to stakeholders for their comment on the 6thDecember, 2011. Stakeholders were requested to submit comments by Friday 16thDecember, 2011.
In early January 2012, a final round of consultation was undertaken again in the form of a workshop. Stakeholders, especially those who have provided comments and feedbacks on the second draft of the KIEP were invited. This provided an opportunity for the stakeholders to be updated on the latest development of the KIEP and the next stage to consider within a specified and agreed timeframe, in working towards finalizing this KIEP. From these consultative processes, it was agreed that ECD would work with its various KIEP working group in finalizing inputs and feedbacks for the final round. The outcome of which, will form the basis of the final KIEP, to be considered for the secretaries and Cabinet levels through clearance and the submission of MELAD administration.
1.4 Vision Statement
“The people of Kiribati continue to enjoy a safe and healthy environment that is resilient to the impacts of global climate change and supports livelihoods, human health and sustainable development”
1.5 Mandate and Scope of the Policy
The Environment Unit was first established in 1992 within the then Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Development. In 1999 it was upgraded into the ECD of the Ministry of Environment and Social Development. In 2003, as a result of a ministerial reshuffle, the ECD came under MELAD. The main powers, roles and responsibilities of the ECD are under the Environment Act 1999 and its amendment of 2007. It also has supporting responsibilities to a number of Acts and Ordnances such as:
- Wildlife Ordnance 1977
- Quarantine Ordnance 1977
- Native Land Ordnance 1977
- Foreshore and Land Reclamation Ordnance 1977
- Land Planning Ordnance 1977
- National Disaster Act 1993
- Recreation Reserves Act 1996
- Minerals Development Licensing 1998 CAP 58
- Public Utilities Act 1999
- State Lands Act 2001
- Squatters Act 2005
- Phoenix Island Protected Areas (PIPA) Regulations 2008
- Fisheries Act 2010
Kiribati is also a Party to a number of regional and global multilateral environment and related agreements (MEAs) including the:
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Kyoto Protocol
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (UNCCD)
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
- Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- International Whaling Convention (IWC)
- Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean
- Pacific Tuna Fisheries
- World Heritage Convention (WHC)
- Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
- Montreal Protocol to the Vienna Convention (Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) and its Amendments
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal
- Waigani Convention
- London Convention
- International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection
with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, (1996): Marine Pollution: UNCLOS (Chapters 1 & 12) – A
- MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto) Annexes I, II, III, IV, V and VI
- CLC Protocol 92
- Fund Protocol 92
- Bunkers Convention 2001
- Anti Fouling Convention 2001
- Ballast Water Management Convention 2004
- SPREP Pollution Emergency (Protocol concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution Emergencies in the South Pacific Region)
- SPREP Dumping Protocol
In the early1990s, Kiribati with the assistance of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) formulated its NEMS. The scope of work carried out by ECD has expanded in the last two decades to address key environmental thematic areas:
- climate change;
- biodiversity conservation and management;
- waste management and pollution control;
- resource management; and
- environmental governance.
A number of key policy and strategic actions documents exist for each thematic area:
Climate Change:
- First National Communication 1999;
- National Implementation Strategy (NIS) 2001;
- National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA);
- Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2005; •Draft Climate Change Framework;
- National Energy Policy.
Biodiversity Conservation and Management:
- Kiribati Country Report;
- Second National Report;
- Fourth National Report 2010;
- 2ndNational Report to the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety 2011;
- National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2011;
- Key Biodiversity Area Report;
- Invasive Alien Species Strategic Action Plans;
- PIPA Management Plan 2010-2014;
- National Bio-Safety Framework 2010.
Waste Management and Pollution Control:
- Draft National Waste Management Strategy;
- National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan;
- National Chemical Profile;
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) National Implementation Plan (NIP);
- Capacity Assessment for the Sound Management of Chemicals and National Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) Implementation;
- Electrical and Electronic Waste Baseline Study;
- Draft Landfill Operational Guidelines;
- National Programme of Action (NPA) to protect the marine environment from land based pollution activities;
- National HCFC Phase-out Management Plan.
Resource Management:
- Building Code;
- Tarawa Water Master Plan;
- National Water Resources Policy 2008;
- National Sanitation Policy;
- National Action Plan (NAP) to address Land Degradation and Droughts 2007;
- Tarawa Lagoon Management Plan.
Environmental Governance:
- Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Process;
- National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS) 1994;
- State of Environment Report (SoE) 1993;
- State of Environment Report (SoE) 2004;
- National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) 2011;
- Kiribati Development Plan 2008-2011;
- MELAD Ministry Operational Plan (MOP);
- Environment Legislative Review 1993;
- Draft National Environment Communication Strategy;
- Memorandum of Understanding for PIPA.
As stated earlier, the KIEP does not replace these policies and strategic action documents and the work of their supporting stakeholder networks. Rather, it provides an integrated framework for their implementation.
1.6 Policy Goal and Objectives
The goals of this policy are key stages to be achieved within the next ten years in the planning and management of Kiribati’s environment. These goals are set for the abovementioned five thematic areas: climate change; island biodiversity conservation and management; waste management and pollution control; resource management; and environmental governance.
The table below sets out the thematic policy goals and strategic objectives. These directions form the basis of the priority strategies and targets for the policy implementation in the next four years and beyond that are presented in Section 3.
ENVIRONMENT POLICY GOAL STRATEGIC POLICY THEME OBJECTIVES |
Climate Change To strengthen national • To improve knowledge, capacity for effective information and national response and adaptation to adaptive capacity for responding climate change, with a and adapting to climate change particular focus on • To build on existing adaptation environmental protection measures and continue with and management implementation of concrete and practical adaptation measures aimed at protecting and sustaining environment services - To implement mitigation measures and strengthen synergies between climate change mitigation and
environment sustainability - To facilitate long-term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through coherent climate change programs undertaken at national level through MELAD
|
Island To strengthen national • To enhance the storage, Biodiversity capacity and institutional protection and dissemination of Conservation& frameworks for the effective knowledge, and information to Management conservation, management the general public on the and sustainable use of conservation, sustainable use, Kiribati’s terrestrial and and management of island marine biodiversity biodiversity - To improve and strengthen
national coordination, collaboration and cooperation between national stakeholders - To build on and strengthen national capacity and mechanisms to effectively manage, conserve and sustainably utilize the island
|
| | biodiversity at all levels of society |
| • | To strengthen national capacity to effectively respond to the impacts of climate change on the island biodiversity |
| • | To facilitate long-term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through coherent biodiversity conservation and management programs undertaken at national level through MELAD |
Waste Management and Pollution Control | To strengthen national •capacity to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the people of Kiribati through effective and sound management of chemical and waste | To foster behavioural changes through education, awareness raising campaigns, enforcement of regulations, and capacity building that minimise waste generation and promote best waste management and pollution prevention practices |
| • | To ensure that the management of waste and control of pollution are financially self-sustaining. |
| • | To mainstream chemical and waste management into national development programmes |
| • | To facilitate long-term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through integrated waste management and pollution control programs undertaken at a national level through MELAD |
Resource Management | To promote the sustainable •use and development of Kiribati’s non-living land, water, coastal and mineral • resources | To support the implementation of effective sustainable landuse management plans To support the protection and conservation of limited and vulnerable water resources |
| • | To combat the degradation and erosion of all islands’ foreshores |
| | | and coastal areas |
| | • | To promote sustainable agriculture and soil conservation practices |
| | • | To support the sustainable use and development of mineral resources |
| | • | To improve education and awareness through communication and dissemination of information |
| | • | To facilitate long-term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through ECD overall programs undertaken at national level through MELAD |
Environmental Governance | To advance the development of capacities and systems for implementing effective environmental governance | • | To enhance capacities and engagement of stakeholders for effective environmental management and sustainable development at the individual, institutional and systemic levels |
| | • | To strengthen awareness and enforcement of environmental policies and legislations |
| | • | To improve monitoring and management of data for MEAs and state of the environment reporting and make this available for national development policy and planning processes |
| | • | To facilitate long-term planning and preparations to respond to the impacts of global climate change in order to build the resilience of the environment through ECD overall programs undertaken at national level through MELAD |
1.7 Roles and Responsibilities
MELAD, through ECD, is the national environment authority in Kiribati. ECD is mandated under the Environment Act 1999 (amended in 2007) as the responsible authority for the implementation of the KIEP. ECD will be responsible for undertaking and coordinating its implementation with MELAD Administration, providing the high level support and oversight role.
MELAD Administration has a critical role in the approval for the implementation of the KIEP at national, outer islands and village levels. The Secretary for MELAD is the Senior Responsible Officer for the environment portfolio of MELAD. The Secretary for MELAD is also the National Focal Point for the environment, including all MEAs to which Kiribati is a Party to. The MELAD Honourable Minister is the political focal point for the environment at national government level in Kiribati.
Due to the cross-sectoral nature of the KIEP, a number of different Government agencies will play instrumental role in providing appropriate sectoral supports to ECD in sectoral areas that are directly relevant to fulfilling the overall environment portfolio of MELAD. This is especially so in specific sector areas that have overall support towards achieving environment protection and management and, subsequently contribute towards achieving a sustainable environment that is resilient to the impacts of global climate change. Hence, the KIEP, also outlines key activities of all relevant subsectors (in alignment with key sectors relevant plans under each thematic area) that these sectors are spearheading under their specific Ministries’ portfolios. This is with a view of promoting and enhancing collaboration and partnership between ECD and the key sectors concerned. Particularly in areas that need parallel and synergised implementation under this KIEP through the relevant portfolio of the Kiribati National Government, in order to address environmental problems and issues in a holistic manner.
These lead agencies are:
Thematic Area | Lead Agencies |
Climate Change: | |
- Science of climate change | ECD |
- Global climate change impacts on the overall health of the environment | ECD |
- Climate Change Policy Response and Coordination | OB |
Biodiversity: | |
- Marine Biodiversity | ECD |
- Terrestrial Biodiversity | ECD |
- Phoenix Islands Protected Area | PIPA |
- Recreational Areas | ECD/WCU |
- Invasive alien species | ECD/WCU |
Wastes and Chemicals: | |
- Waste & Pollution | ECD, TUC, BTC |
- Marine pollution | ECD, Marine |
| Division, MTC |
- Awareness raising, regulation and enforcement | ECD |
- Waste collection and management | BTC, TUC, KUC |
- Landfill operation and management | TUC & BTC |
- Sewerage management | MPWU & PUB |
- Hazardous waste | ECD |
- Recycling | ECD & Te Kaoki Mange |
- Ozone depleting substances | ECD, Customs |
Resource Management: | |
- SLM, awareness, gravel extraction and coordination | ECD, LMD, Mineral Unit – MFMRD & ESAT |
- Land issues | LMD |
- Water conservation and management | Water Engineering Unit |
- Deep sea minerals | Mineral Unit |
- Sustainable Agriculture | ALD |
- Coastal | ECD, Mineral Unit & OB –(KAP III) |
Environment Governance | |
- Prosecution | WCU, Police, & OAG |
- Mainstreaming | MFED |
The role of the lead agency is supported by other ministries through their relevant mandates and functions and through multi-stakeholder national steering or coordinating committees. These committees coordinate the planning and implementation of key strategic environmental thematic action plans.
Similarly, civil society has also instrumental role and responsibilities to assist in implementing the KIEP through exploring appropriate private sector partnership that enhances local communities’ involvement and participation at national, island and village levels.
1.8 Consultation and Coordination
The effective implementation of the policy will need consultation and coordination between the ECD and its stakeholders. The ECD will establish an Environment Advisory Committee to provide advice, consultation and coordination for the implementation, monitoring and review of the policy and its strategic plan at national level. The membership of the Environment Advisory Committee will be drawn from senior representatives of government agencies with representatives of other key stakeholders such as NGOs, churches and the private sector.
The key thematic areas of the policy will be supported by existing technical committees spearheaded and coordinated under each thematic areas and programs implemented by MELAD through ECD:
| Thematic area | Name of Committee |
• | Climate Change | • Climate Change Study Team / National Adaptation Steering Committee |
• | Biodiversity | • National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
• | Waste and pollution | - National Chemical Coordination Committee
- Proposed National Waste
Management Committee - National Marine Pollution
Advisory Committee - National Ozone Committee
- Kiribati Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician
Association Committee - Health-Care Waste Management Committee
- National E-waste Committee
|
• | Resource Management | - Central Land Planning Board/ Sustainable Land Management Planning Team
- National Water and Sanitation Steering Committee
- Foreshore Management
Committee Committee Monitoring Committee |
• | Environmental Governance | Committee - KDP Environment policy drafting committee
- Environment Enforcement
Advisory Group - KDP Environment Sector Group
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1.9 Regional and Global Environmental Frameworks
Kiribati is party to a number of regional and global conventions or multilateral environment agreements (MEAs) listed in section 1.4.This policy will provide the framework through which Kiribati will undertake activities towards meeting its national and international (as relevant only) obligations under these MEAs.
There are also a number of global and regional action frameworks towards which this policy will contribute. At the global level these include:
- Agenda 21
- The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
- Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Specifically for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- The Barbados Plan of Action
- The Mauritius Strategy for Implementation
And key regional planning frameworks include:
- The Pacific Plan
- SPREP Strategic Plan 2011-2015
- Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Pacific Region 2010 -2015
- Regional Asbestos Strategy 2011
- Regional E-waste Strategy 2012
- Regional Health Care Waste Management Strategy 2013
- Pacific Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme Strategy (PACPOL) Strategy
- Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Contingency Plan (PACPLAN)
- Waigani and Stockholm Conventions
- The Pacific Islands Framework of Action to Combat Climate Change 2006 -2015
- The Pacific Action Strategy for the Conservation of Nature 2008 - 2012
- The Pacific Islands Regional HCFC Phase-Out Management Plan
2.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The formulation and implementation of this policy is guided by the following four (4) key principles: leadership and good governance; collective responsibility for the environment; indigenous knowledge, practices and innovations; and integration of the environment and development.
2.1 Leadership and Good Governance
This principle generally means that the government of Kiribati will lead efforts to protect, manage and promote the sustainable use of the country’s environment and its natural resources. It implies upholding good governing practices of transparency, accountability, shared responsibility and equity in the consideration of environmental requirements in development practices. It respects everyone’s right to a clean and healthy environment. And it recognizes key principles for respecting the needs and capacities of the natural environment such as the precautionary, polluter pays and carrying capacity principles.
The Precautionary Principleis defined in the UN Agenda 21 Rio Declaration as “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation”.
The Polluter Pays Principlemeans that populations are justly responsible for the waste and pollution they generate either directly or through payments for the available mitigation and management services. The principle also extends to society’s responsibility to directly pay for the programs that help replenish, restore and rehabilitate natural resources and the environment that were exploited or degraded through extensive development activities.
The Carrying Capacity Principlemay be defined as the ability of the environment to sustain the needs of human development and its own natural requirements. As such development should respect and be maintained within the limits of the carrying capacities of its hosting environment if it is to achieve a more environmentally and socially sound and sustainable pathway.
2.2 Collective Responsibility for the Environment
Protecting, managing and sustainably using the environment and its goods and services are generally accepted as everyone’s responsibility. This responsibility is carried out both at the individual and collective levels. This principle recognises each individual as holding the key responsibility. It also recognises the relevant roles and influences that all sectors and institutions of the society have in contributing to the protection and management of Kiribati’s environment and its goods and services.
2.3 Indigenous Knowledge, Practices and Innovations
I-Kiribati people have developed valuable indigenous knowledge and practices that can contribute positively to the sustainable use and effective management of their natural resources and the environment. These traditions and practices are important elements of their culture and heritage that forms their national identity. These will be integrated into the implementation of this policy. ECD has a significant role in providing a conduit through protecting, managing and sustainably utilizing island biodiversity, to which indigenous knowledge, practices and innovations are dependent on.
2.4 Integration of the Environment and Development
This principle recognises the organic nature of environment and development in the sense that the environment underpins development. It recognises the challenges in reconciling and balancing the needs of the environment and the development needs of human society in Kiribati. It is vital that economic and/or physical development must be linked with environmental protection and, not degrading it to facilitate long-term sustainability. It emphasizes the critical importance of credible, relevant and legitimate scientific investigations and information to the integration and mainstreaming of the environment into development planning and implementation. It also recognises appropriate value systems of the people and society in Kiribati that promote and support the integrity of the environment as a system and its goods and services.
3.0 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT PLAN 2012 - 2016
The Strategic Environment Plan 2012-2015 outlines in details the strategic environment priorities of the five environmental policy thematic areas: climate change; biodiversity conservation and management; waste management and pollution control; resource management; and environmental governance. It sets in place a national strategy towards long-term preparations and planning to respond to the impacts of global climate change and subsequently enhance the resilience of the environment in Kiribati. This Strategic Environment Plan will also guide the formulation of MELAD’s annual MOP and contribute towards the KDP, where the environment portfolio is concerned. It will guide the development of annual implementation work-plans and budgets for MELAD’s ECD and those of its stakeholders as appropriate. It also provides performance indicators defined to track progress. This will be also the framework for monitoring and reviewing the progress of environment priorities indicated under the environment key policy area of the KDP. As such, this Plan will have instrumental role in providing information that would be useful in determining and updating on the state of the environment in Kiribati as and when needed.
The development of the strategic plan was guided by the experiences and lessons gained from the implementation of the national environmental programs in the last KDP 2008 – 2011, under the existing environment thematic action plans coordinated by ECD, and by other government and non-government organisations. Among the key environmental thematic action plans are the NAPA, NBSAP and NAP. There are a number of sectoral policies, programmes and plans whose implementation are crucial to achieving the policy objectives of the KIEP. These include, among others, the National Energy Policy, the National Water Resources Policy and Implementation Plan 2008 coordinated by the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities (MPWU); relevant environmental health programs that are coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS); relevant environment education programs by the Ministry of Education (MoE); eco-tourism programs of the Ministry of Communication, Transport and Tourism Development (MCTTD) and the outer island development and cultural preservation programmes of the Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs (MISA).
3.1 Climate Change
Goal: Strengthen national capacity to effectively respond and adapt to climate change, with a particular focus on environmental protection and management
Background:
Kiribati is one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change. The atolls of Kiribati rise 3-4 meters above mean sea level and are on average, a few hundred meters wide. These atolls are the home of nearly 110,000 (2010 Census) I - Kiribati people with their distinct culture. Inundation and erosion destroy key areas of land within the already small land area of each atoll, and storm surges contaminate the fresh groundwater lens, which is vital for health and survival. Fresh groundwater lens is also the only main source of freshwater resources in Kiribati. An economic evaluation of the costs of climate change related risks has been estimated to be 35% of Kiribati GDP (NAPA 2007). The estimate takes into account only the potential impacts of climate change on coastal zone (US$7-$13 million a year) and water resources (US$1-$3 million a year). In 1998 the GDP was US$47 million (WB 2000).
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force as an international agreement on March 1994 and came into force specifically for Kiribati in May 1995, with an Initial National Communication to the Convention in 1999. The Convention sets out blueprints for the common but differentiated responsibilities of parties to address the global concern of climate change. Least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the countries that are considered most vulnerable to climate change. They are so, because in the case of the former, their special circumstances make them unable to meet the costs of adaptation needs, and the latter because of their physical susceptibility to the effects of climate change. Kiribati is in both of these groups.
The Government of Kiribati has embarked in the process of mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in its national development processes through a series of initiatives: the launch of the Kiribati Adaptation Program (KAP) in 2003, the adoption of a Climate Change Adaptation Policy Note and a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in 2005, the consultation process and consequent adoption of a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) in 2007 and the ongoing implementation phase of KAP. In addition, the Kiribati Development Plan (KDP) which covers the period 2007-2011 recognizes the potentially high cost and effects of climate change on economic growth and social development. The KDP also recognizes the central importance of environment sustainability within the development processes by allocating environment as one of its key Policy areas, within which climate change is reflected. The recently adopted National Water Resource Policy (2008) defines the priority issues in the water sector taking into account climate change adaptation. Priority issues in the energy sector, given in the Kiribati National Energy Policy, also takes into consideration climate change mitigation and environment safeguards.
Legislation and policies
- Disaster Act 1993
- Climate Change Adaptation Policy Statement and Strategy 2004
- National Water Resource Policy and National Water Resource Implementation Plan 2008
- (National Sanitation Policy and National Sanitation Implementation Plan 2008)
- Kiribati National Energy Policy 2009
- Government Policy Statement for 2007-2011
- Draft National Framework on Climate Change 2010
Contextual Notes:
- Disaster risk reduction is a separate but similar strategy
- Vulnerability of outer islands need to be completed and well documented to inform decisions for future adaptation options
- The context of this Policy should focus on priorities that are oriented to environmental management in support of the National Climate Change Framework and the overall Kiribati Development Plan
Sources used to framework:
- NAPA 2007
- Climate Change information page in the Environment and Conservation Division website http://www.environment.gov.ki/
- KAPII various outcome documents 2006 - 2010
- MELAD Ministry Operational Plan (MOP) 2009 – 2011
- Kiribati Development Plan 2008 – 2011
- Kiribati Energy Policy 2009
- Kiribati National Capacity Self- Assessment to the Rio Convention Report 2009
- Draft Kiribati Meteorological Service Strategic Plan 2012-2018
- Kiribati government climate change portal http://www.climate.gov.ki/
- Initial national communication 1999 (second to be presented in Durban 2011)
Based on the above information and national consultations, climate change was recognized as a prominent threat on the environment and therefore need to be integrated as one of the key policy areas of the Strategic Environment Policy and its Plan for the period 2012-2015. This climate change area has an overall goal and three main thematic operational goals which are set out in the matrix below. The table outlines strategies, targets, indicators and potential implementing partners distinctive to each goal. These objectives include:
- Improving knowledge, information and national adaptive capacity to respond and adapt to climate change.
- To build on existing adaptation measures and continue with implementation of concrete adaptation measures aimed at protecting the environment as a whole system and its services.
- To implement mitigation measures and strengthen synergies between climate change mitigation and environment sustainability.
Climate Change Policy Area | Strategies (20122016) | Targets | Performance Indicators | Key Implementing Agencies/Part ners |
CC1: To improve knowledge, information and national adaptive capacity for responding and adapting to climate change |
a) Research, Knowledge and Information | 1. Conduct Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments (V&A) on the other sectors and the rest of islands of Kiribati | Documentati on of the vulnerability of more sectors on South Tarawa and rest of islands in Kiribati | - Number of specific sector
V&A and Number of V&A in other islands of Kiribati V&A studies in each sector/islands | ECD, SOPAC-SPC, SPREP, USP, Line Ministries, NGOs |
2. Setting up the Environmenta l Data and Information Centre incorporating climate change information | Completion and operationalis ation of Environment Information Centre and its various outputs | • Number of data sharing events among agencies inputting to the Environme nt Information Centre Number of climate data and analysis on climate trends/projectio ns archived and accessible to public | ECD, KMS, WEU, OB, LMD, Mineral Unit, NSO, SOPAC-SPC, SPREP, USP, Line Ministries, NGOs |
3. Encouraging mechanisms to promote research on emerging | Documentati on and enhanced public understandin | • Number of research undertaken on climate change | ECD, PSO, MoE, Line Ministries NSO, SPREP, USP, SPC, |
| climate change areas and exchange of information on status of environment | g on new climate change information and its linkages with the environment Outputs of research on climate change and environment used to guide national adaptation or informs decision making on adaptation | • • | Number of reviewed research papers on climate change Number of exchange public forums on climate change | USP, College of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health Sciences (CMNPHS), Fiji National University (FNU) |
b) Education, Awareness and Training | 1. Encouraging mechanisms to incorporate climate change in school curriculum at all levels | Enhanced awareness and knowledge on climate change at Primary, Secondary Schools | • • | Number of supports/ini tiatives provided to encourage incorporatio n of climate change into school curricula Number of school curricula incorporatin g climate change | MoE, ECD, USP, SPREP, SOPAC-SPC, other relevant institutions |
2. Update and implement National communicatio n strategies to include climate change and its relation to environment | Enhanced awareness and knowledge on climate change at Policymakers level, civil servants and general | • | Number of events recorded as implementi ng Communica tion Strategy provisions related to | ECD, EPU, WEU, LMD, OB, KNTO, EHU, SPREP, SPC-SOPAC |
| sustainability | public | | climate change | |
3. Build the diversity of communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change and environment challenges | Up-skilled population on other environmentbased areas e.g. training on traditional agricultural practices and methodologie s conducive to climate change, mangrove replanting, implementin g conservation methods | • • | Number of initiatives on technical and vocational and community level trainings Number of trainings on agricultural methods conducive to climate change, conservatio n, mangrove planting to communitie s – aimed at building adaptive capacity of communitie s | ECD, MoE, OB, SPREP, MLHRD, PSO, Agriculture, Fisheries |
c) Implementin g MEAs (Multi- Environment Agreements) related to Climate Change | 1. Advocacy of national issues at international forums | Recognition and integration of Kiribati issues on climate change at international and regional fora and their outcomes | • • | Number of decisions from UNFCCC favourable to Kiribati Number of reports and websites quoting Kiribati | ECD, Foreign Affairs, OB,SPREP, SPC - SOPAC, Line Ministries |
| | | issues with climate change | |
2. Encouraging mechanisms to implement commitments/ decisions of agreements and build synergies with national goals and priorities | Enhanced knowledge and effective national response to implementin g commitments from Climate Change commitments | • Increase number of local support/part icipation in programs related to implementi ng Climate Change regimes | ECD, Foreign Affairs, OB, Environmental Health Unit (EHU) – MHMS, Line Ministries, SPREP, SPCSOPAC |
3. Contributions of national initiatives to global sustainability (e.g. PIPA, Oceanscape) | Demonstrate leadership and commitment to global community on effort to respond to the effect of climate change | • Number of initiatives that add value to global environmen tal benefits and sustainabilit y | MELAD, OB, SPREP, CI, SOPAC -SPC, USP, Line Ministries |
CC2. To build on existing adaptation measures and continue with implementation of concrete interventions aimed at protecting the environment and its goods and services |
a) Adaptati on | 1. Revalidation and continue to implement National Adaptation Program Priorities to reflect the National Climate Change Framework and Disaster risk reduction | Implementati on of tangible resilience building adaptation measures at national level | of NAPA revalidation d NAPA Priorities | Line Ministries, OB, SOPAC SPC, SPREP, USP |
| 2. Support communitybased adaptation | Implementati on of tangible community- | • Number of community based adaptation | GEF SGP-KI, KiriCAN, ECD, OB, KANGO,SPR |
| initiatives | based adaptation measures at community level | initiatives | EP, SOPACSPC, USP |
b) Climate Change Financin g | 1. Support mechanisms to strengthen fiduciary/fina ncial arrangements to improve access to climate and MEAs funds | Establishmen t of a robust financial system and relevant capacities on managing and coordinating international climate/MEA funds | • Increase flow of funds accessed from climate change funds or MEA funds | NEPO. OB, ECD, Foreign Affairs, SPREP, SOPAC-SPC, PIF |
2. Explore financing initiatives resulting from positive spins of climate change | Number of opportunities to harness additional resources to meet challenges impacted negatively by climate change are established and maximised in a sustainable manner | • Number of different types of initiatives that harness financing benefits from positive impacts of climate change | ECD, MFMRD,KN TO-MCTTD, MCIC, NEPO, FFA, SPREP, SOPAC-SPC, USP |
3. Increase external assistance and national budgetary contributions to the national climate change institutions | Appreciation by Policy Makers of the need for budgetary contribution to the national climate change institutions | • Increase in national budgetary allocations to climate change institutions | ECD, NEPO, OB |
CC3. To implement mitigation measures and strengthen synergies between climate change mitigation and environment sustainability |
a) Mitigatio n | 1. Support the implementatio n of the Kiribati Energy Policy and its Implementati on Plan 2009 | Contribute to achieving the overall vision of the Kiribati Energy Policy with its contributions to climate change mitigation and environmenta l compatibility | • | Inventory of implemente d mitigation related projects emanated from the Kiribati Energy Policy | EPU, ECD, OB, Line Ministries, SOPAC_SPC, SPREP, USP |
| 2. Support the investigation of opportunities for energy conservation and explore additional energy efficient, clean technologies linking to Green Growth | Documentati on of feasible and applicable efficient and clean technologies Contribution to environment sustainability and energy security | • • | Number of new efficient and clean technologie s investigated and implemente d Emission reduction rates resulting from renewable/c lean energy programs | EPU, ECD, OB, Line Ministries, SPC-SOPAC, SPREP |
| 3. Explore and increase participation and involvement in climate change mitigation actions through enhanced ecosystem functioning | Implementin g different types of carbon sinkbased mitigation initiatives and enhancement of ecosystem services | • | Inventory of registered carbonsink-based mitigation measures | ECD, OB, MFMRD, LMD, Line Ministries, SPC-SOPAC, SPREP |
| (e.g. Mangrove Replanting, Conservation Areas – PIPA, Blue Carbon concept, Green Growth etc) 4. Promote small scale private sector and local communities’ mitigation actions | Implementati on of applicable mitigation measures at the private sector and local community level | • | Number of communitybased and small scale private sector mitigation projects at the national level | EPU, ECD, OB, Line Ministries, SOPAC-SPC, SPREP |
3.2 Island Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Goal: Strengthen national capacity and institutional frameworks for effective conservation, management and sustainable use of Kiribati’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
Background:
Island biodiversity in this context means all terrestrial and marine ecosystems, all plants and animal species and varieties found in these ecosystems including the knowledge, uses, beliefs and language that the people of Kiribati have in relation to their ecosystems and species. Biodiversity conservation and management promotes the concept of sustainable use and supports sustainable development. Based on various national, outer islands and household surveys undertaken as part of the formulation of the Kiribati National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plan from 1996 – 2004, it was confirmed that the current state of biodiversity in Kiribati is being degraded physically, socially, economically, politically and even judicially.
As a low-lying nation, Kiribati cannot afford to sit back and let this degradation continue. If the biodiversity is not conserved or used sustainably, and if appropriate traditional sustainable natural resources management practices are not revived, and if the traditional knowledge and language are not maintained or strengthened, then future development would not be able to sustain and support the people and the liveability of the atoll islands, in the long-term. The main key in the whole process is the resource owners and users at the island and village levels, who hold the long-lasting key to effective biodiversity conservation and management.
The government of Kiribati recognizes the importance of conserving biological diversity and has become a State Party by ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 16thAugust 1994 and the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture (ITPGFRA) on 13thDecember 2005. The ITPGFRA focuses specifically on conservation and utilization of food crop species to sustain food security and improve health. As a Party, Kiribati has obligations to meet the objectives of the CBD and ITPGFRA at the national and international levels.
For the CBD this is being provided for through the formulation and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the National Reports submitted to the CBD Secretariat. Further, the Government of Kiribati is also a State Party to the World Heritage Convention and is in the process of accession to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These are all biodiversity related MEAs that recognize the importance of biodiversity conservation, management and its sustainable use for the benefits of Kiribati and her people.
A number of reports were instrumental in the formulation of this strategic action framework which includes, among others, the Kiribati NBSAP; 4thNational Report to CBD; MELAD Operational Plan and the KDP 2008 – 2011. The issues reflected in the
matrix below could further be expanded to address the emerging and new issues associated with recent and future researches and explorations.
Island Biodiversity Conservation Policy Area | Strategies (2012 – 2016) | Targets | Performanc e Indicators | Key Implementing Agencies/Part ners |
BC 1: To improve and enhance the storage, protection, management and dissemination of the knowledge and information on the sustainable use, conservation and management of biodiversity to the general public |
1) Communicat ion, education and public awareness | 1. Improve the formal and informal education system to support biodiversity conservation and management concept | Integration of biodiversity conservation into the national education curriculum at primary and junior secondary school levels | Biodiversity is adopted as a new curriculum for primary, junior and secondary schools | ECD, MoE (CDRC), SPREP |
| 2. Enhance public awareness at all levels of society to improve decisionmaking and participatory approach in biodiversity conservation and management | Implement(in collaboration with other Government agencies/NGOs and relevant projects) national awareness campaigns with emphasis on 2 conservation issues: 1) Replanting scheme campaign (on plant and tree species that are decreasing in availability for cultural uses in South Tarawa) ii) | of campaig ns undertak en of replantin g program mes impleme nted spaces on South Tarawa managed and maintain ed | ECD, EYC, Lands, OAG, ALD, EHU – MHMS, Aid Donors and relevant Projects |
| | Management and protection of public open spaces in South Tarawa) with Environmental Youths Club | | |
| 3. Implement practical and costeffective national campaigns on biodiversity related celebrations | National celebrations are implemented in collaboration with national and regional partners i.e. MELAD week, World Food Day, Agriculture Day, International Day for Biodiversity, Environment Day etc. | The number of events celebrated nationally The number of communities engaged in the celebrations | ECD, SPREP, ALD, Fisheries Division, TTM, Lands, |
2) Information and knowledge management | 1. Expand and make available accurate and reliable data and information on national biodiversity to inform policy and decision making at all levels | Develop and update the national Clearing House Mechanism to host information and data that reflect the status of biological diversity and natural environment in Kiribati | CHM developed , updated and fully operational | ECD, SPREP |
| 2. Assessing the Ecological Gap for Kiribati | Complete Ecological Gap Analysis for Kiribati | A complete report of Ecological gap analysis | ECD, SPREP, CI, Fisheries, Lands, ALD |
| 3. Identify, establish and strengthen biodiversity conservation networks, initiatives and partnerships between national and local government, communities and groups, and the private sector | MOU to facilitate biodiversity information sharing agreed to and signed by key partners | The number of signed agreements and key partners. | ECD, SPREP, Fisheries, ALD, Lands, MISA, NGOs, Private Sector |
4. Traditional knowledge and practices | 1. Identify, revive and integrate appropriate customary rights into biodiversity conservation and management | Customary rights identified and integrated into biodiversity conservation and management plans | Number of customary rights identified and integrated | Culture, MISA, ECD, ALD, Fisheries |
| 2. Identify, revive and integrate traditional knowledge systems and practices that support biodiversity conservation, management and sustainable utilization at all levels of society | Traditional knowledge systems identified, revived and integrated into biodiversity conservation and management plans | Number of identified, revived and integrated traditional knowledge systems into local and national strategies. | Culture, MISA, ECD, ALD, Fisheries |
| 3. Identify and support initiatives that promote traditional preparation skills requiring the continuous planting and planting of Kiribati food crops and trees that are declining | Traditional food preparation and storage for future use are supported through provision of financial support to women and other relevant local groups/NGOs. | Number of women and other relevant local groups/NGO s engaged in training of youth; Increased in number of local food crops and trees in at least 3 outer islands | MISA, ECD, Councils, Women and other relevant groups/NGOs |
BC2: To improve and strengthen national coordination, collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders at all levels of society |
a) Institutional capacity | 1. Improve coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders (national and local) | Mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation into the sector’s strategic plans and KDP | Biodiversity conservation mainstreame d and integrated in at least 2 sectoral plans | ECD, NEPO, SPREP, National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
| | Improve and define the mandate and role of the National Biodiversity Planning Committee members | Agreement defining roles and mandate developed for National Biodiversity Planning committee members | ECD, National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
b) Community empowerme nt | Empower local government and communities to lead and sustainably manage their biodiversity resources | Biodiversit y conservation priorities are integrated into local government strategic action plan | Number of local government strategic action plan that integrates biodiversity conservation | MISA, ECD, FSP-K, OAG |
BC3:To build on and strengthen national capacity and mechanisms to effectively |
conserve and manage island biodiversity |
a) Sustainable use of island biodiversity resources | 1. Improve and enhance the sustainable use of island biodiversity resources that are in line with customary land and marine tenure systems | Identify the destructive fishing methods and gears and impose legislations to regulate these destructive fishing methods and gears Increased awareness of the impact of fire on biodiversity | of studies undertak en to address destructi ve fishing methods of Commun ity bylaws and regulatio ns in place Number of fire awareness activities carried out | Fisheries Division, OAG, MISA, ECD, SPREP |
| 2. Integrate the concept/prin ciples of biodiversity conservation in organic farming | Organic farmers are aware on the concept of biodiversity conservation through trainings offered that integrate the concept of biodiversity conservation into organic farming | of organic farming trainings offered of farmers exercisin g organic methodol ogies | ALD, ECD, KOFA, FSP-K, SPC |
| 3. Develop integrated coastal management plan for the Gilberts Islands | Coastal management plan developed and implemented | • Number of plans and activities impleme nted | Mineral Unit, ECD, Lands, Fisheries Division - MFMRD, ALD, MPWU |
| Group | | | |
b) Biodiversity conservation | 1. Enhance and improve biologica l resources to maintain biologica l diversity in the short and long term run | Advocate the concept of communitybased protected areas (CBPAs) and community based protected species | Number of community agreements developed and signed for the establishmen t of conservation areas | ECD, Fisheries, ALD, Tourism, SPREP, CI, MISA, ThEcoCare Small Grant Program |
| | Increase the number of terrestrial and marine Protected areas under effective management and planning | Number of new protected areas established | ECD, Fisheries, ALD, Tourism, SPREP, CI, AOG |
| | Formalize the designation of the proposed Ramsar site in North Tarawa at national level | Policy approved to declare Ramsar sites | ECD, AOG, SPREP, MISA |
| 1. Protect species, viable populati ons and associate d habitats of ecologic al, natural heritage and | Develop and initiate actions to protect and restore at least 2 threatened species in each of the Gilberts, Line and Phoenix Groups | - List of national threatene d species and ecosyste ms
identifie d and validated - At least threatene d species restored
| ECD, SPREP, Linnix, Fisheries, ALD, SPREP, CI – Pacific Programme |
| cultural significa nce | Develop and initiate actions to protect and restore at least 2 threaten ecosystems in each of the Gilberts, Line and Phoenix Groups | Action plans for threatened species developed, endorsed and implemented | ECD, SPREP, Linnix, Fisheries, ALD, SPREP, CI – Pacific Programme |
c) Invasive Species | 1. Eradicate , control and manage invasive species that may adversely impact on Kiribati’s biodivers ity and livelihoo ds | Endorse at the Cabinet level, the Draft National Strategy and Action plan on IAS for the Gilberts, Line and Phoenix Groups | National IAS Strategic Action Plan of invasive species initiative s impleme nted | ECD, Linnix, ALD, SPREP, National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
d) Bio-safety | Establish enabling environment to support implementation of the National Bio-safety Framework (NBF) Enforce the biosafety regulation upon its endorsement | - Establish and formalize the National
Competent Authority tion of the NBF and Bio-safety Regulation - Enforceme nt of the bio-safety regulation
- Number
| of National Compete nt meetings impleme ntation endorse ment and impleme ntation of the Biosafety regulatio n | ECD, OAG, NCA, National Biodiversity Planning Committee, ALD, Fisheries |
e) Financial resources | 1. Create incentives and | Identify and develop | • Feasibilit y study report on | SPREP, CI, ECD, Fisheries, |
| mechanisms for the establishment of effective community based biodiversity protection and management | incentives that would generate income to local communitie s, while carrying out terrestrial and marine community based biodiversity protection and managemen t (e.g. community -based ecotourism) | • | financial incentive s complete d Number of income generatin g activities impleme nted | ALD, Tourism, Commerce |
| | Develop means of engaging government and private businesses in undertaking environment friendly practices that support the protection, management and sustainable utilization of island biodiversity | • | Number of governm ent and CSOs that have adopted environ mentally friendly codes of practice or have environ ment manage ment plans in place | KANGO, FSP- K, ECD, Private Sector |
| 2. Create sustainable financial mechanism for the protection and management of biodiversity | Increase budgetary allocation by 5% (yearly) to fund the protection | • | Number of governm ent ministrie s that have | Finance, PSO, MELAD, ECD, |
| | and managemen t of biodiversity | budgetar y allocatio ns for biodivers ity related initiative s • At least 1 biodivers ity permane nt post establish ed within MELAD | |
| | • Undertake feasibility studies on the viability of establishing Environme nt Trust Fund in Kiribati | • Draft feasibilit y study report produced and consider ed by stakehol ders | Finance, ECD, National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
| | • Secure new and additional funds to support implementa tion of the revised NBSAP | • Number of GEF5 project proposal s develope d and approved | ECD, Finance, National Biodiversity Planning Committee |
BC4. To strengthen national capacity to effectively respond to the impacts of global climate change on island biodiversity |
a) Ecosystem based adaptation | 1. Promote and impleme nt the ecosyste m based adaptatio n to | Develop and implement ecosystem based adaptation initiatives to enhance the resilience of | Number of ecosystem based adaptation initiatives developed and implemented | Fisheries, ECD, OB, |
| response to climate change impacts that threatens island biodivers ity | the environment against global climate change impacts | | | |
b) Food security | 1. Diversify and broaden genetic food base (species/ varieties that are tolerant to atoll environm ent and projected impacts of climate change (high salinity, prolonge d drought, brackish water) | Mass produce and distribute local food crop species | • | The number of local species produced and distribute d | ALD, SPC, FAO, TTM |
| | Introduced food crop species are screened and distributed | • | Number of species screened and distribute d | ALD, SPC, FAO |
3.3 Waste Management and Pollution Control
Goal: To strengthen national capacity to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the people of Kiribati through effective and sound management of chemical and waste
Background:
The main types of wastes and pollutants threatening biodiversity and human health within Kiribati are those typically associated with urbanised communities (e.g. solid wastes and sewage discharges) and from agricultural activities and port areas (including nutrients, sediments, pesticides and anti-foulants). Lack of integrated management of these pollutants is a key threat to Kiribati’s environment. The problem is exacerbated in an atoll nation like Kiribati due to its small size, high water table and rising sea levels and the lack of cover soil to bury wastes. Innovative approaches to waste management are necessary that not only minimise the waste generated, but also seek ways in which the waste can be usefully and, if possible, economically re-used.
Kiribati has adopted the Waste Hierarchy approach in its management of waste starting with avoidance and minimisation first then looking at the opportunities for reuse, recycling and recovery before finally considering safe disposal. The focus must be firmly on avoidance and minimisation, reuse, recycling and recovery because safe disposal options are very limited or non-existent on atolls.
The Kaoki Maange system of deposits and refunds on used aluminium cans, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and lead-acid batteries has proved spectacularly successful and provides an example to follow. It has created a new business, employed people, provided some unemployed with a small cash income, costs the government nothing and has removed used aluminium cans, PET plastic bottles, and car batteries from the atoll. Kiribati’s deposit refund system has received recognition across the Pacific and is widely seen as a “best practice” recycling system.
Organic matter comprises about 80% of the waste composition in Kiribati national waste stream. Unmanaged disposal of organic waste is an alarming issue. It rapidly fills the dumpsite, and breaks down to generate noxious leachate and methane gas. However, if managed well it can enhance the aesthetic value of the environment, and provide organic fertilizer for agricultural usage and monetary incentives for the local community who should know that waste is a resource not a burden to them. Addressing organic matter should be a high priority due to its high generation rate and volume.
The management of chemicals and hazardous wastes poses a special challenge. Safe handling, storage, transportation and disposal through the proper facilities, equipment and competent personnel are essential. This should include the control of pollution from industrial and commercial sites. Where safe disposal cannot be carried out in Kiribati, arrangements should be put in place for proper disposal outside Kiribati.
Kiribati is faced with the risk of a pollution incident through its use of chemicals, hazardous and noxious substances, and refined fossil fuels. Measures need to be put in place that addresses a pollution incident in the planning, preparedness and response capabilities. The National Marine Pollution Advisory Committee has drafted a national marine spill contingency plan (NATPLAN) that addresses the discharge of oils, chemical and HNS. The need to have proper equipment and competent personnel are essential.
Improvement on clean water supply for the increasing population on South Tarawa and Betio require additional sources beside Bonriki and Buota water reserves. Water desalination plants are currently being considered; however these plants would require a mechanism to safely dispose concentrated brine during low tide meaning they have to store this waste water for approximately two hours on average, meaning holding tanks are needed. However, there is no land available on which to place storage tanks and the waste water must be disposed of as it is produced. Its impact on the marine environment is not yet known. A similar case is waste water from a tuna loining factory that is currently under construction at the Betio wharf on South Tarawa. For this, some of the important questions, among others, to address are to what extent the coastal marine environment will be protected; and what are the mechanisms, measures and processes in place to address these issues in order to achieve the aim of managing and controlling waste and pollution.
The key to a cleaner Kiribati is public pride and a social attitude against waste and pollution. Government enforcement is expensive and can never be everywhere. The best option is to change public behaviour through increased community awareness backed with the enforcement of relevant legislations including the Environment Act 2007 where necessary. The public education work done by MELAD through the “Kiribati TeBoboto” and national clean-up campaigns, the very successful car wreck clean-up and the Green Bag Pre-paid System initiative have all begun the slow process of building an attitude of pride and care especially in the urban environment of South Tarawa. However, this work must be on-going and expanded if we want to achieve our goal of a cleaner and safer environment for all Kiribati people.
Relevant Principles and Approaches:
There are numerous, internationally recognized principles and approaches that guide chemicals and waste-related activities on-the-ground, in a country setting such as that of Kiribati. In significant part, many of those have arisen or evolved as governments have collaborated in framing chemicals and waste-related management in the context of common, international approaches, declarations and agreements. Those addressed here, among others, are relevant and underlie the Integrated Environmental Policy that Kiribati has adopted:
Agenda 21 as adopted in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 recognized the need for integration by recommending coordinated and integrated approaches for the sound management of chemicals and waste. Chapters 19 and 20 collectively recommended initiatives covering a variety of elements relevant to achieving such integration, including: international assessment of risks, harmonization of chemical classification and labelling, information exchange on chemicals and chemical risks, risk reduction, strengthening national capacities for chemicals and hazardous waste management, prevention and minimization of hazardous waste, and strengthening cooperation in the management of transboundary movements of hazardous waste.
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), as adopted in
Dubai in February 2006, also provides guidance consistent with the Waste Hierarchy. More specifically, SAICM’s objective is “to achieve sound management of chemicals throughout their life-cycle so that, by 2020, chemicals are used in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment,” in combination with issue-specific objectives involving risk reduction, knowledge and information, governance, and capacity building and technical cooperation, among other helpful strategies.
In the context of both Agenda 21 and SAICM, and existing MEAs, a number of principles and approaches that are relevant to achieving sustainable development include, among others:
Polluter Pays: Ensuring that persons and corporations responsible for pollution bear the full environmental and social costs of their activities, and that those costs are reflected in the market price for goods and services, this important principle will be implemented in applying it to waste management and pollution control measures so that those responsible pay for the prevention, mitigation and other management-related measures;
Precaution: As worded in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration: “In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by states according to their capabilities. Where there are serious threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation”;
Life Cycle: This approach addresses the entire life cycle of a product, process, or activity. Life cycle of a chemical means all stages of the life of a chemical with production of the chemical, mixtures, and articles containing the chemical, storage, transport, distribution, export, import, professional use, consumer use, recycling, and waste management of the chemical, mixtures, and articles containing the chemical. It can also serve as a tool for conducting systematic, cradle to grave (or cradle to cradle) analyses to estimate the environmental consequences of alternative materials, designs, manufacturing processes, product use and end-of-life alternatives.
Prevention: This principle addresses the issue of how harm to human health and the environment can be avoided, based on the recognition that the economic and social costs of avoiding harm and damages are almost always less than those needed to repair, treat, or compensate afterwards. Prevention can be achieved through measures such as bans, restrictions, and technology standards to reduce or eliminate releases from intentional and unintentional production and use;
Substitution: When a chemical product may cause risks to human health or the environment, it should be avoided if there are less dangerous products or processes that can reasonably be used instead, making use of the more dangerous substance unnecessary.
As such, it serves as an explicit component of integrated chemicals management that helps focus attention on informing, increasing awareness, and educating the public about alternatives and alternative processes; and
Transparency, Participation and Governance: As enunciated in Rio Principle 10, and elaborated comprehensively in the Aarhus Convention, these approaches define public participation as being based on three pillars – access to information (including “right to know”), access to decision making, and access to justice. Key elements of the first two pillars are embedded in most MEAs, while access to justice is mostly addressed in national law, although all three pillars are prominently embedded in the European crafted, international Aarhus Convention.
Waste Management and Pollution Control Policy Area | Strategies 20122016 | Targets | Performanc e Indicators | Key Implementing Agencies/Part ners |
WMPC1. To foster behaviour (behavioural change) through education, awareness raising and research that promote best waste management and pollution prevention practices including the 3Rs. |
a) Education and awareness raising | 1. Increase public awareness on waste and pollutions issues. | Public better understands waste and pollution issues. Public aware of proper waste disposal, sanitation and necessity/ways to minimize pollution. Enhanced public awareness on the ozone issues | No. of public awareness campaigns. No. of public complaints involving illegal dumping and poor sanitation. | ECD, Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), MWPU, NGOs, Churches, Environment Youth Club (EYC), MISA (Island Councils), PUB, UNICEF, MTC, Marine Division. |
2. Encourage incorporation of chemical and waste management into school | Teaching Institutions incorporate chemical and waste management | Number of teaching institutions having curricula on chemical | ECD, MOE (CDRC), MHMS, Ministry of Labour, MTD, Marine |
| curriculums at all teaching institutions. | and pollution control issues into its curriculums due to the recognition of its importance. Enhanced knowledge and awareness of trainees on chemical and waste management and pollution issues. Enhanced delivery on best practices on ozone products and their alternatives at Vocational institutions | and waste management . Number of students enrolled (and completing course) | Division. |
3. Conduct community consultations and awareness raising on waste minimization and pollution prevention practices. | Enhanced knowledge at the community level on environmental and health impact of poor chemical and waste management. | Number of community consultation s in Tarawa and number of participants Number of community consultation on outer islands Number of communities that put in place improved waste management | ECD, MHMS, MPWU, NGOs, Churches, EYC, Island Councils, KANGO. |
| | | | practices | |
b) Research information | and | - Establish the systematic collection and analysis of chemical and waste management
data - Conduct research and field studies to provide data and information needed for improving chemical and waste management.
- Encourage new research on GHG
emissions including landfills and biomass. - Establish a database on the quantity and type of waste disposed in landfills and exported for recycling.
- Establishing database on quantity of imported and
distributed ODS | Systematic collection and analysis of chemical and waste management data developed and used Data and information on chemical and waste management available and accessible to the public, researchers and policy makers. Data and information on GHG emissions from landfills established. Database on waste disposed in landfills and exported for recycling established. Database on products and gases imported for national consumption | Number of research projects funded. Number of databases established. Availability of data on recyclable waste items exported. Availability of data on waste disposed at landfills established. Chemical and waste management data reported annually. Number of imported ODS consumed at national level annually | Customs, Statistic, ECD, MISA, MHMS, KIT, USP, SPREP |
| | | | |
WCM2: To strengthen national capacity on sound chemical and waste management including the enforcement of waste and pollution regulations. |
a) Enforcement of pollution provisions at the national level | 1. Strengthen and expand the operation of the JET (Joint Enforcement Team) to cover marine pollution. | Improved coordination and collaboration with enforcement partners. | Number of pollution regulation issues enforced. Number of inspections/ patrols. Number of meetings. Number of environment cases issued with compliance notices, infringement notices and prosecuted. Number of enforcement training (to strengthen JET) | ECD, OAG, Kiribati Police Services, MISA (Councils), MHMS, MCTTD (Marine Division and MTC). |
2. Regulate Environment ally Significant Activities (ESA) focusing on polluting | Polluting premises issued with environment licences and regularly audited. | Number of environment licences issued. Number of compliance auditing | ECD, OAG, Kiribati Police Services, |
| premises under the Environment Act (as amended 2007). | | undertaken on environment licence issued. Number of auditing reports Number of auditing trainings. | |
- Strengthen relevant legislation and enactment of
draft regulations. - Strengthen the enforcement of licensing system for imports, handling and storage of products containing ODS
and refrigerants | Relevant legislations reviewed. Draft regulations enacted. Ozone Layer Protection Regulation enacted | Number of legislations reviewed. Number of regulations enacted. Number of pollution related prosecutions Number of permit applications | ECD, MFAI, OAG, SPREP, MHMS, MISA (Councils), MCTTD, MCIC, MFED (Customs), private sector |
b) 2. Training and capacity building. | Seek and participate in training opportunities locally and internationally on chemical and waste management and pollution control. Conduct trainings and | Staff trained in all key sectors on best practice in waste and chemicals management. Customs officers trained for ODS detections, technicians and | Number of trainings on waste management and pollution control held/attende d. Number of trained staff in chemical | ECD, MISA, MHMS, MCTTD, MoE, PSO, SPREP, SPC, JICA. OCO, APTC, MLHRD |
| refresher courses to technicians, trainers and Customs on proper handling, detection of contaminated and illegal trade of ODS | trainers on best practice and management of ODS | and waste management . Number of Customs trained, technicians and trainers Number of briefing reports submitted by trainees to respective directors | |
| Support and promote private sector-led initiatives and community based activities that are environmentally responsible and friendly. | Project advocating environmentally responsible and friendly concept implemented. | Number of projects related to waste and chemical management implemente d. Number of communities interested in similar projects. Number of publicprivate partnerships established. | ECD, NGO’s, Churches, EYC (Environmental Youth Club), MISA, KCCI, MFED, Chamber of Commerce. |
c) Facilities for Waste Management and Pollution Control. | Establish and improve waste management and pollution control facilities. Establish temporary ODS bank facilities for the unused | Improved landfills and establish adequate hazardous waste/chemical storage facilities. Temporary | Number of landfill sites improved. Number of adequate storage facilities established. | ECD, MISA (Councils), MCTTD, MPWU, KOIL, PUB, MHMS, ALD (Quarantine), KPA, JICA. ECD, Private |
| and reclaimed products | facility established for storing the reclaimed and unused refrigerants prior shipment for proper disposal overseas | Proportion of waste managed in an environment ally sound manner Number of recycling cylinders used. | Sectors, Quarantine, UNEP |
WMPC3: To strengthen the mainstreaming of waste management into national development programmes |
a) Mainstreaming Chemical and Waste Management into National/Sectoral Strategies, Plans and Policies. | - Integrate chemical and waste
management priorities into National and Sectoral Plans. - Implement relevant MEAs and
Global Voluntary mechanisms on waste minimization and sound chemical management and in an integrated manner. | Sound chemical and waste management integrated into National and Sectoral Plans. Legislations, Policies and Procedures to meet obligations under MEAs and Voluntary mechanisms implemented. | Number of entries addressing chemical and waste management in National and Sectoral management plans or policies. Number of projects implemente d. Number of relevant MEAs Kiribati is party to. Number of Conference of the Parties of the MEAs that Kiribati is Party to attended | ECD, MFED, OB, MISA (councils),MC TTD, MFMRD, UNDP, SPREP, UNEP, UNITAR, WHO, ILO, ECD, OB, MFAI, OAG, MCTTD, Kaoki Maange, KOIL, SPREP. |
| | | Number of national reports submitted Number of domestic legislations drafted and passed. Number of national coordinating committee meetings on MEAs | |
b) Sustainable Financial Mechanisms and Incentives. | 1. Explore funding from development partners to establish chemical and waste management systems that are selffinancing and environmenta lly friendly. | Self-financing and environmentally friendly projects promoted and implemented. | Number of selffinancing projects implemente d. Number of development partners providing financial support. Number of project proposals. | ECD, MFED, MISA, KCCI, Kaoki Mange, OAG |
| - Develop economic instruments and other innovative financial mechanisms
that are based on the polluter pays principle including the banning of certain imported products. - Promote and support environmenta
lly friendly initiatives including green businesses. | National policies developed to regulate and extends importers current accountability from selling and disposing of their products. Green businesses/initia tives on waste and chemical management established. | No of new financial mechanisms such as taxes, levies imposed etc. Number of certain products regulated. Number of policies on polluter pays principle. Number of green businesses registered. Number of green business awards. | ECD, MFED (Customs), KCCI, OAG, MISA, MCIC, SPREP, UNDP. ECD, MFED, MCIC, KCCI, NGO’s, SPREP, UNEP. |
WMPC 4: To effectively coordinate and oversee ongoing national chemical and waste management programmes. |
Cross sector coordination and governance. | 1. Establish the national waste managem ent committe e. | National waste management committee established and members identified. | Number of meetings. | ECD, MHMS, MPWU, MoE, MFED (Customs), MISA (Councils), OB. |
| 2. Strengthe n national coordinat ion mechanis ms including institutio nal set up. | National coordination of key stakeholders involved established and strengthened. | Number of e-forums created. Level of participation in e-forums. | ECD, MHMS, MFED, MFED (Customs), MoE, MISA , OB |
| 3. Impleme nt national chemical managem ent projects promotin g InterMinisteri al coordinat ion. | Cross sectoral projects implemented. | Number of projects implemente d promoting cross sectoral meetings. | ECD, MHMS, MFED (Customs), MFED, MoE, MISA and OB. |
| 4. Develop a national framewor k identifyin g roles and responsib ilities of waste and chemical stakehold ers. | Stakeholder roles and responsibilities well defined. | Mission, vision, work plan, and organization al charts of waste and chemical stakeholders | ECD, MISA (Councils), MHMS, MCIC, MFED, Kaoki Maange, OB. |
| 5. Support voluntary waste and chemical programs involving civil society (commun ities, NGO’s, youth). | Voluntary campaigns adequately supported | Number of voluntary initiatives. | MELAD, MISA, KANGO. |
3.4 Resources Management
Goal: To promote the sustainable use and development of Kiribati’s non-living resources (land, water, coastal and minerals)
Background
Key environmental issues for the management of lands, water and coastal resources of Kiribati are extensively documented in the various existing government policies and planning documents. These include, among others, the National Action Plan to Address Land Degradation and Droughts 2007, MELAD’s Ministry Operational Plan 2008-2011, the State of the Environment reports of 1994 and 2002, the National Water Resources Policy 2008 and the National Water Resources Implementation Plan 2008.
The environmental issues for resource management are acute in the nation’s capital, South Tarawa and Kiritimati Island where the narrow, vulnerable and highly populated low-lying atolls have experienced declining environmental quality through severe shoreline erosion, ground water contamination and coastal and lagoon pollution under the pressures of growing population and expanding urbanisation. Populations including illegal squatter settlements continue to increase in already over-crowded areas and close to designated water reserves such as in Bonriki, South Tarawa. Increasing solid wastes, sewage and liquid waste discharges overwhelm the capacities of disposal and management systems and continue to threaten lagoon ecosystems and the groundwater lens. Increasing domestic sand mining and land reclamation compounds the erosion and vulnerability of the shorelines and coastal areas to frequent storm surges and sea-level rise. Options are also under investigation for mineral mining including lagoon dredging of aggregate to replace domestic sand mining and the development of deep seabed mineral deposits.
In the last two decades, legislation, policies and plans of government have been developed in an effort to address these key resource management issues. These support efforts to control population, strengthen the resilience of the environment, in particular the foreshore, curb illegal sand mining and limit lagoon resources extraction, promote proper waste collection and disposal, improve soil quality and reverse land degradation and protect freshwater resources. Legislations that are directly relevant or with relevant provisions to resource management include, among others, the Environment Act 1999 (as amended 2007) and the approved EIA Regulations; the Lands Ordinance 1977; the State Lands Acquisition Ordinance 1977; the Native Land Ordnance 1977; the Foreshore and
Land Reclamation Ordinance 1977; the Land Planning Ordinance 1977; the State Lands Act 2001 and the Squatters Act 2005. Among the key planning frameworks that were recently developed to address resource management issues include, the NAP 2007, the National Water Resources Management Plan 2008, and the ESAT 2009.
The strategic environment priorities for resource management in the next four years will largely focus on strengthening the implementation of key environmental principles, regulations and relevant environment and development plans that support the sustainable development, protection and management of the non-living land, water, coastal and mineral resources of Kiribati.
Resource Strategies (2012- Targets Performance Management 2016) Indicators Policy Areas | Key Implementing Agencies/Partners |
RM1: To support the implementation of effective sustainable landuse management plans |
a) Sustainabl e Landuse Planning | 1. Strengthen capacities for the development and implementation of sustainable land use plans and practices | Support the review and revision of the existing national policies and plans with a view to identifying and addressing capacity needs for their effective implementation under relevant project funding – e.g. the NAP and GEF-funded Sustainable Landuse Management Projects | Number of plans and policies reviewed and under implementation | LMD, ECD, ALD, PWD, MISA (Local Government) |
Support and develop effective local landuse consultation and planning processes to strengthen the implementation of national sustainable landuse policies and plans at the local level | Number of landuse processes improved Number of island councils that have implemented sustainable landuse policies | LMD, ECD, ALD, MISA (Local Government) |
2. Improve the | Increase the | Number of | ECD, LMD,MISA |
| enforcement of relevant resource management policies and regulations | enforcement of relevant environmental legislations including EIA in the planning and management of land resources in highly populated areas | EIAs implemented Number of noncompliance cases resolved | (Councils), KPS, OAG |
Hold community awareness and education events on key principles and best practices that promote sustainable landuse | Number of local community awareness and education events on sustainable landuse principles and practices implemented | ECD, LMD, ALD, Churches, KANGO, Media MoE |
RM2: To support the protection and management of limited and vulnerable water resources |
a) National Water Reserves | 1. Strengthen the implementation of relevant environmental policies and legislations complimenting and supporting the protection of designated national water reserves | Implement national water reserve protection awareness campaigns in communities | Number of awareness activities undertaken in communities around the national water reserves Number of communities consulted | ECD, LMD,MISA (Councils), ALD, KPS, PUB, Water Engineering Unit- MPWU, MHMS |
Implement relevant environmental policies that support a joint multistakeholder implementation of plans to relocate squatter | Percentage of squatter populations around the Bonriki water reserve on South Tarawa that has been relocated | ECD, LMD,MISA (Councils), ALD, KPS, PUB, Water Engineering Unit - MPWU, MHMS |
| | populations away from the Bonriki water reserves on South Tarawa | | |
| | | Hold joint multistakeholder enforcement of relevant sector regulations for preventing activities that threatened water quality and the environments of the national water reserves | Number of existing environmental policies for relocation that has been successfully enforced Number of reports of joint enforcement monitoring of illegal activities in the Bonriki water reserve on South Tarawa Number of cases of illegal activities affecting the Bonriki water reserve on South Tarawa. reported and prosecuted | ECD, LMD,ALD,PUB, MWPU KPS, MISA (Island Councils), OAG |
b. Community Water Cistern Catchments | 1. Improve the implementation of plans for the effective rehabilitation and management of existing community water cistern catchments and the establishment of new ones | Complete the implementation of existing plans under the relevant projects (SLM project) for rehabilitating community water cistern catchments | Number of existing community water cistern catchments rehabilitation plans completed Number of community water cistern catchments | ECD, MPWU, Councils, PUB, , EU (EC), Kiribati Housing Corporation (KHC) |
| | | | | |
| | | rehabilitated | |
Extend the development of community cistern catchments to new communities and improve the management of existing ones | Number of rehabilitated community cisterns Number of new communities with cisterns Number of management plans for existing community cistern catchments formulated | ECD, MPWU, MISA (Councils), PUB |
RM3: To combat the degradation and erosion of the foreshores and coastal areas |
a) Building the resilience of foreshores and coastal areas | 1. Implement effective plans for rehabilitating and improving the resilience of the foreshore and coastal areas | Enforce relevant policies and legislations for the protection of the foreshores and coastal areas under the mangrove and coastal vegetation programs | Number of relevant policies and legislation successfully enforced Number of cases of illegal and coastal degrading activities reported and prosecuted | ECD,LMD, MFMRD, KPS, OAG, ESAT Project |
Extend where appropriate and possible the replanting mangroves and coastal vegetation to vulnerable | Number of new sites covered with the mangrove and coastal vegetation replanting programs | ECD, EYC, ALD, KAP, MISA, MoE, ISME, Churches |
| | foreshore and coastal sites | Number of mangroves and appropriate coastal vegetation seedlings planted Total length of the foreshore re-vegetated and restored | |
RM4: To promote sustainable agriculture and soil conservation practices |
a) Agricultur e & Soil Conservati on | 1. Support the implementation of existing agricultural and soil conservation policies and plans | Implement plans that support sustainable agriculture and soil conservation practices | Number of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation plans formulated and implemented Areas with improved agriculture and soil fertility | ALD, ECD, LMD |
Enforce policies and legislations to prevent slash and burn and other activities that increases the vulnerability of lands and decline in soil fertility | Number of policies and legislations for the protection and conservation of soil fertility that has been successfully enforced Number of slash and burn cases resolved by local island councils Number of Island Councils | ECD, ALD, OAG, KPS, LMD, MISA |
| | | with effective bylaws implementation | |
RM5: To support the sustainable use and development of mineral resources |
a) Aggregate mining | 1. Strengthen enforcement of licensing requirements for aggregate mining | Improve the regulatory processes and policies for addressing the impact of aggregate mining | Number of Environment License applications submitted and approved | LMD, ECD, Mineral Unit, KPS, OAG, , ESAT Project (MFMRD) |
| | Increase effective communities compliance and awareness programmes | Number of complaints received from communities | LMD, ECD, Mineral Unit, KPS, OAG |
| - Involve illegal miners in ESAT
Aggregate lagoon mining through the reselling of aggregate from the company; - Involve cement importers as conduits to public in accessing aggregate and their hardware products.
| Illegal miners and suppliers buy and resell aggregate from company | Beach and land mining will slowly cease thus saving the foreshores of South Tarawa. | Mineral Unit (MFMRD), ECD, private sector |
b) Sea bed Mining | 1. Strengthen the communicatio n and mainstreamin g of environmental information, principles and | Implement consultation, awareness and research that investigate the impacts of mineral use and development | Number of reports of impact assessment studies of lagoon and sea bed mining activities | ECD, Mineral Unit, OAG, LMD |
| legislations into the development of mineral resources | projects including lagoon and deep sea bed aggregate and mineral mining projects | completed | |
Hold awareness and information events for communicating findings on the impacts of mineral mining on natural ecosystems | Number of awareness and information events on the impacts of mineral mining completed | ECD, Mineral Unit, Media |
| 2. Consult marine environment experts on the information on likely impact of sea bed mining and its likely impact on other marine resources, e.g. tuna resources and other marine species | More consultation with regional and international bodies and local communities | More information available | ECD, Mineral Unit (MFMRD), FFA, PNA, SPREP, SOPAC-SPC |
RM6: To improve education and awareness through communication and dissemination of information. |
a) Resources Monitoring and Reporting | 1. Strengthen systems for the effective monitoring and reporting of state and trends of lands, water, coastal and mineral resources | Establish a minimum set of indicators and dataset requirements for resource monitoring as part of an integrated national environment | A minimum set of resource monitoring indicators approved | ECD, LMD, ALD, MFMRD, PUB, Water Engineering Unit - MPWU, Environmental Health Unit |
| | monitoring system | | |
Conduct a trial monitoring and reporting of lands, water, coastal and mineral resources as part of an integrated national environment monitoring and reporting system | Trial monitoring and reporting of land, water, coastal and mineral resources as part of the integrated monitoring and reporting system | ECD, LMD, ALD, MFMRD, PUB, Water Engineering Unit - MPWU, Environmental Health Unit - MHMS |
3.5 Environmental Governance
Goal: To advance the development of capacities and systems for implementing effective environmental governance
Background
The modern governance and administration of Kiribati’s environment was formally commissioned with the establishment of an Environment Unit by the Government of Kiribati in 1994. In the last twenty years this Unit has grown into the Environment and Conservation Division that coordinate various environmental thematic programs that is supported by various multi-stakeholders committees and collaborating organisations.
Environmental governance involves not only this formal role of the government but also encompasses the ways non-governmental groups, community organisations and the private sector are involved in the development and management of the environment including the ecosystem goods and services. Effective environmental governance is necessary for communities to balance their development and environmental needs and respond effectively and creatively to the challenges and opportunities of environmental protection and management in Kiribati.
Key aspects of environmental governance that are considered under this section include the effective participation and involvement of stakeholders in the generation of knowledge and information and their application in decision making processes; awareness raising and implementation of environmental policies and legislations and the monitoring and communication and mainstreaming of environmental knowledge and information into national development planning processes.
Other related strategic priorities for environmental governance are also defined and supported under the thematic areas above. Therefore, the priorities in this section serve as core generic environmental governance measures to compliment and strengthen the integration of governance policy actions in the four thematic areas above.
Environmental Governance Policy Areas | Strategies (20122016) | Targets | Performan ce Indicators | Key Implementing Agencies/Part ners |
EM1: To enhance capacity and engagement of stakeholders for effective participation and involvement in environmental management and sustainable development activities |
a) Environment Education and Training | 1. Strengthe n environm ental | Implement a general revision of environment | Report of a general revision of environme | CDRC, ECD |
| education and training in all formal and informal systems of education in the country | al education curriculum and training in formal school systems to identify related capacity building needs and requirement s | ntal education and training curriculum in formal school system completed Number of environme ntal school curriculum lessons revised and disseminat ed | |
Increase learning resources and approaches to improve the teaching of environment al managemen t principles and practices in formal school systems | Number of environme ntal learning resources produced and disseminat ed to schools to support the teaching of environme nt manageme nt principles and practices | ECD, Mineral Unit, Fisheries Division – MFMRD, MHMS, MoE, USP, SPREP |
Increase the disseminatio n and mainstreami ng of environment al knowledge and information in informal | Number of environme ntal informatio n resources produced and disseminat ed to community developme | ECD, MISA, KANGO, Churches |
| | community developmen t training activities | nt training activities including workshops and informatio n events | |
b) Consultation and Coordination | 1. Increase and enhance systems of consultati on and coordinati on for stakehold er participati on and involvem ent in environm ental action including the convening of the Environm ent Advisory Committe e | Implement effective mechanisms to strengthen the coordination of stakeholders participation in multi- disciplinary committees and decisionmaking bodies for environment al managemen t | Number of effective coordinatin g mechanism s designed and implement ed Level of improveme nt in the coordinatio n of multistakeholder committees and decisionmaking bodies | ECD, KCCI, KANGO |
Implement public events such as seminars and forums to increase the participation of stakeholders in environment al managemen t and sustainable developmen t discourse | Number of relevant public environme ntal events that promotes discourse and sharing of knowledge and informatio n on environme ntal manageme nt and sustainable | MoE, ECD, Mineral Unit, MISA,KIT, Media, Churches, KANGO, USP |
| | | developme nt | |
| 2. Identify relevant programs and projects that supports environm ental protection and managem ent and are currently implemen ted, for coordinati on, cooperati on and collaborat ion purposes | Minimises duplicating and wasting funds that can be better used on other aspects of each projects concerned; Pooling of limited resources to achieve common but differentiate d purposes that support environment protection and managemen t at all levels of society in Kiribati | Enhanced and increased benefits to local communiti es | ECD, MISA, Island Councils, NGOs, relevant Projects implemented in Kiribati, Donors |
EM2: To strengthen and improve the awareness and implementation of environmental policies and legislations |
a) Legislation Awareness raising and Enforcement | 1. Increase public awareness , ownership and support of environm ental policies and legislation s at all levels of society | Implement national awareness campaigns especially in the outer islands on policies and laws of environment al managemen t and sustainable developmen | Number of national awareness campaigns on principles and laws of environme ntal manageme nt and sustainable developme nt implement | MoE, ECD, Mineral Unit, MISA, OAG, Kiribati Police Services (KPS), MHMS, KIT, Media, Churches, KANGO, USP |
| | t | ed Number of outer islands awareness campaign | |
2. Increase capacities within ECD for the enforcem ent of environm ent legislation and policies | Regulations, guidelines and codes of practice in place for environment al legislation and inspectors trained in their use | Number of guidelines in place Number of trained inspectors | ECD, Police, OAG |
3. Increase capacities of governme nt agencies and island councils for participati on and involvem ent in the enforcem ent of environm ental and related laws | Implement measures to strengthen the roles of government ministries and island councils in the enforcement of environment al laws with emphasis on impact assessment policies and regulations | Number of measures developed and implement ed to strengthen ministries’ support of environme ntal law enforceme nt Level of ministries active participatio n in the national EIA process | MISA, ECD, Police, OAG |
EM3: To improve and strengthen the generation, monitoring and management of data for MEA and state of the environment reporting for national development policy and planning processes |
a) Environment al Monitoring and Reporting | 1. Develop effective and functionin g national | Establish an appropriate set of indicators and | A set of indicators for monitoring the state of | ECD, Fisheries Division, Mineral Unit, ALD, MHMS, MFED |
| system for monitorin g and reporting on the state of the environm ent that integrates and streamline the monitorin g and reporting requireme nts of the governme nt including those for MEAs and MDGs | integrated assessment framework for regular monitoring and reviewing of the state of environment that incorporate the performance indicators of the KIEP and the MEA monitoring and reporting obligations of the country | the environme nt of the country A framework for integrated assessment of the national state of the environme nt Number of MEA monitoring and reporting requiremen ts incorporate d and mainstream ed into the national state of the environme nt monitoring system | |
Conduct a first trial of the integrated state of the environment monitoring and reporting system | A report of the national state of the environme nt integrated monitoring and review produced and launched | ECD |
b) Environment al Communicati on and Mainstreami | 1. Strengthe n capacities for effective | Increase the use of appropriate technologies and | Number of technologie s and social networks developed | MFED, MELAD, MFMRD, MCTTD |
ng | communi cation and mainstrea ming of the environm ent into developm ent planning processes | associated social network such as websites, GIS, multimedia and media in the communicat ion and mainstreami ng of environment al knowledge and information into developmen t planning policies and decisionmaking | and used to communica te environme ntal knowledge and informatio n to policy and decisionmaking institutions and leaders | |
4. HUMAN RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The effective implementation of the KIEP will require strengthening of the ECD and the wider network of partner agencies and stakeholders, whose portfolios overlap with enhancing and supporting the environment protection and management portfolio, as well as in the position to achieve the objectives of this KIEP from their respective sectors. This will include considerations for additional staff; a possible expansion of existing institutional arrangements especially to cater for the outer islands and an increase in financial resources to facilitate and implement policy actions on the ground.
The expansion of human resources and financial requirements for environmental administration to meet the implementation needs of this policy will also be guided on the direction and priority of the government’s public sector reform processes, including the streamlining of national agencies functions and operations and a potential decentralisation and strengthening of the administration at the island groups and local levels.
The KIEP will assist in identifying key areas where funding proposals can be made to donor partners. It will also serve as a useful guide through which donors, regional and United Nations organisations and other partners can design their contributions and assistance to protect and manage Kiribati’s environment to support livelihoods, human health and the economy through sustainable development.
5. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEWING SCHEDULE
The implementation of the KIEP will take effect from the time that it is approved by Cabinet. Its strategic priorities guide the ECD component of MELAD’s MOP and contribute to the KDP. It will be implemented through annual work-plans and budgets of the MELAD-ECD and is evaluated both at the operational performance levels and at the strategic impact levels during the duration of the KDP. Operational performance indicators are defined in the policy’s strategic priorities and are to be monitored and reviewed annually. Strategic impacts indicators will be defined as part of Kiribati’s State of the Environment monitoring and reviewing system. The SOE reviews will be carried out at the end of the KDP as the environment component of the KDP review and will furnish the comprehensive information for the formulation of the environmental policy priorities and targets for the new KDP. Strategic priorities have been defined in the policy for organising and building the capacities of MELAD-ECD to effectively monitor and evaluate KIEP at both the operational performance and strategic impact levels.
6. REFERENCES
The following are key sources of information and guidance that were used in the development of the policy and the strategic plan.
- MELAD 2007. NATIONAL ADAPTATION PROGRAM OF ACTION (NAPA).
South Tarawa, Kiribati. http://www.environment.gov.ki/
- GOK 2007. Republic of Kiribati: Kiribati Country Report to the Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). South Tarawa, Kiribati: Government of Kiribati: Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development.
- NBSAP 2005
- NAP 2007
- KAP 2 outcome documents 2006 - 2010
- MELAD Ministry Operational Plan 2009 – 2011
- GOK 2008. The Kiribati Development Plan 2008 - 2011: Enhancing economic growth for sustainable development. Bairiki, South Tarawa: Government of Kiribati: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
- Kiribati’s Energy Policy 2009
- Kiribati National Capacity Self- Assessment to the Rio Convention Report 2009
- Draft Kiribati Meteorological Service Strategic Plan 2012-2018
- Kiribati government climate change portal http://www.climate.gov.ki/
- Initial national communication 1999 (second to be presented in Durban 2011)
- Comments from the Review Template of the KDP 4 2008-2011 related to the Environmental Management component