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Palau Climate Change Policy

For Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development

2015

Government of Palau

Support for the preparation of this policy was provided by the:

European Union funded Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States Project, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community;

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funded Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region Program (CCCPIR)

implemented in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The contents of the policy in no way reflect the views of the above listed development partners.

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Acronyms

Mastigias Papua Jellyfish © Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock

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BoBP CO2 DRR EIA

FGC ANZEC

GDP GHG INDC IPCC IPP JNAP LEAP LED LEDS NAMA

NAP NCD NDRMF

NEC NEMO

NEP NIE OERC PAN PPUC SLM UN

UNFCCC USAID

Bureau of Budget & Planning Carbon Dioxide

Disaster Risk Reduction Environmental Impact Assessment

New Zealand based international development consulting firm Gross Domestic Product

Greenhouse gas

Intended Nationally Determined Contributions Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Independent power producer

Joint National Action Plan Local Early Action Plan Light-emitting Diode

Low-Emission Development Strategies and Plans National Appropriate Mitigation Actions National Adaptation Plan

Non-communicable disease

National Disaster Risk Management Framework National Energy Committee

National Emergency Management Office National Energy Policy

National Implementing Entity

Office of Environmental Response and Coordination Protected Areas Network

Palau Public Utilities Corporation Sustainable Land Management United Nations

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change United States Agency for International Development

Table of Contents

Palau Climate Change Policy

6               Executive Summary

 Section 1 – Introduction

8               Context

8               Vision and Objectives

10              Principles and Process

12              Evidence and Impacts

 Section 2 – Climate Change Adaptation

14              Risk and Existing Activities

16              Strategic Priorities

 Section 3 – Disaster Risk Management

18              Risks and Existing Activities

20              Strategic Priorities

 Section 4 – Mitigation and Low Emission Development

22              Background

24              Strategic Priorities

 Section 5 – Institutional Mechanisms for Effective Policy Implementation

26              Background and Strategic Priorities

29                              Monitoring and Evaluation

Section 6 – Financing Needs for Policy Implementation

30                              Indicative Budget and Financing Plan

Annexes

32 Acronyms used in the Annexes

34               Annex 1. Costed Action Plan (Sections A through P)

48               Annex 2. References

50               Annex 3. Background and Process to develop the Policy

51               Annex 4. Causes and Mechanisms of Climate Change

54 Annex 5. Elaboration of certain sector risks from climate change impacts and disasters

Executive Summary

Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges ever to face the world and the island nation of Palau. Caused primarily by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption, current changes to climate are being driven by a global temperature rise of at least 0.6°C since

pre-industrial times. Climate is expected to change more. Small Island States such as Palau have called for a lower limit of below 1.5°C and many industrialized countries have agreed to limit the rise in temperature to 2.0°C.

Palau, with its long history of close ties to its natural environment, is already feeling the acute impacts of climate change.

Communities and researchers have confirmed impacts and risks such as rising sea levels

and increased incidences of extreme weather. Palau, in proactively preparing for the expected changes in climate, as well as anticipating the unexpected such as disasters, has developed this Palau Climate Change Policy and Action Plan for Climate & Disaster Resilient Low Emission Development. This Policy outlines Palau’s strategic priorities

for adapting to impacts of climate change, preparing for and responding to disasters, and contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Because climate change and disasters – whether directly caused by or exacerbated by climate change

– affect all parts of society, this Policy addresses multiple sectors as well.

The vision of this Policy is “Happy, healthy, sustainable and resilient Palauan communities in a changing world,” or “A Belau a kldmokl, mesisiich, moduades, e klekar.” To make this vision a reality, this Policy lays out objectives to 1) enhance adaptation and resilience, 2) manage

disasters and minimize disaster risk, and 3) mitigate global climate change by working towards low emission development. This Policy establishes a single integrated Government Policy with intervention

and financing priorities. This Policy was developed through a 2-year participatory process. It addresses ten sectors (Agriculture and Fisheries, Health, Finance/Commerce/ Economic Development, Biodiversity/ Conservation/Natural Resources, Critical Infrastructure, Utilities, Society and Culture; Good Governance, Education, and Tourism) and advises on both government and non- government action.

In Palau, direct impacts from climate change are expected to include sea level rise, more extreme weather events, changes in seasonal rainfall, temperature regime changes, and increasing ocean acidification. These direct impacts will have indirect and cumulative impacts on natural and human systems (including human health), and on Palau’s economy. Each sector is at risk of indirect and exacerbated impacts from climate change.

This Policy identifies the top three risks per sector and then identifies the Government’s priority interventions for addressing those top risks. Priorities are based on both need and on the existing adaptation activities already in place in country. The goal of these priority interventions is to build climate resilience within ecosystems, the economy, and society.

Beyond the expected impacts of climate change are unexpected events such as disasters. Disasters may be natural or human-induced. As global and local climate regimes change, many disasters are expected to worsen, either caused or exacerbated by climate change. Thus, this Policy takes a proactive approach to

preparing for disasters and reducing disaster risk. This Policy identifies the level of risk

for possible disasters and then identifies the Government’s priority interventions for addressing those risks, both in terms of

preparedness and risk reduction. The goal of these priority interventions is to build safe, resilient, and disaster-prepared communities.

Driftwood © Levent Konuk/Shutterstock

Climate change is caused by the release of global greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide, from their stored forms on earth in fossil fuels and biomass.

Palau, like other countries who are signatory countries who are signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has agreed to reduce

its greenhouse gas emissions. This Policy builds on existing efforts in Palau to protect carbon sinks, improve energy efficiency, and increase low emission development such as investments in renewable energy. It identifies the Government’s priority interventions for mitigating the causes

of climate change and expanding low emission development. The Mitigation and Low Emission Development section of this Policy is primarily focused on the energy sector, although there are overlaps among interventions for adaptation and

disaster risk management. The goal of these interventions is to sustainably manage carbon sinks and reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020. This Policy builds on existing commitments to increase renewable energy contributions by 20% and decrease electrical energy consumption by 30% by 2020.

To achieve the vision and objectives of this Policy, stakeholders in Palau identified needs to improve governance and the institutional mechanisms necessary for effective Policy implementation. This Policy identifies existing gaps in governance, namely

limited resourcing (human, technical, and financial), the lack of a centralized Climate

Change Office, and an inefficient legal and institutional framework. It identifies priority interventions for adopting and improving the institutional framework (including a new government organizational chart), and for creating and empowering a Climate Change Office.

The priority interventions for each objective have been made actionable with a 5-year Action Plan. The Action Plan outlines the activities needed for each intervention,

and includes stakeholders, timeframes, and resourcing needs, including cost projections. The 5-year Action Plan is intended to be evaluated on an ongoing basis.

The costs of the priority interventions as captured in the 5-year Action Plan is expected to be around US$500 million for the first five years. These costs are indicative of the scale of costs for both

government actions and sector priorities. The Government of Palau will explore both domestic and international financing arrangements.

By establishing this Policy, Palau is taking necessary steps to make its own National plans a reality and meet its obligations under the UNFCCC and other regional and international agreements. More importantly, though, by following the priorities in this Policy, Palau’s government and sector leaders will contribute to a global effort to minimize the impacts of climate change,

and will build a more resilient and prepared nation that can thrive even in a changing world.

Palau Climate Change Policy    7

Introduction | Context and Objectives

Top: Napoleon Wrasse © Frantise K Hojdysz/Shutterstock.

Bottom: Flower © Holm & Kitalong and PCS.

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Global Context

Climate change is the greatest challenge facing humankind, according to leaders from the United Nations and nations across the globe. A 2015 Global Risks Report by The World Economic Forum identified climate- related issues, particularly extreme weather and failure to adapt to climate change, among the top global risks the world will face in the next ten years, both in likelihood and impact. Industrialised and developing countries have

agreed, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to levels that will limit the global rise in temperature to 2°C (3.6°F), thus minimizing

the most dangerous impacts from climate change. To reach this global temperature goal, the United States and China, the world’s leading sources of GHG emissions, have agreed to a scale of GHG reductions that ranges from 20% to 28%. Islands around the world, already suffering from the negative consequences of the current global temperature rise of 0.6°C (1.1°F) and associated shifts in climate, have called for even greater GHG reductions. The Alliance of Small Island States, of which Palau is a member, has called to limit the temperature rise to below 1.5°C (2.7°F). In adopting this Palau Climate Change Policy and Action Plan for Climate & Disaster Resilient Low Emission Development (hereafter referred to as this Policy), Palau is joining the world in addressing both the causes of climate change and its impacts and risks on daily life and during disasters.

Country Context

The people of Palau, closely tied to and reliant on their natural resources and environment, have been increasingly concerned about the changes they are experiencing, from storms to rising seas to disasters that worsen with time. Community concerns have been reinforced by scientific findings from local research institutions such as the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and global groups such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change (IPCC), showing real and immediate impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities

–  in both daily life and during disasters – from climate change.

Palau is a leader among Small Island Developing States in taking action to preserve its natural resources and improve the quality of life for its people. This Policy is part of Palau’s proactive effort to protect itself from the expected impacts of climate change and the unexpected – but anticipated

–  risks of worsening disasters. It is also part of Palau’s contribution to global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and mitigate climate change. Using the best available information, from traditional knowledge to local and international research on effective responses, this Policy furthers efforts towards achieving the strategic vision of Palau’s National Master Development Plan to “Substantially enhance the quality of life of Palauans and future generations of Palauans.”

The impacts from climate change affect every sector and every level of society and government, as do the risks from and consequences of disasters, whether caused directly by or exacerbated in some way by climate change. Similarly, the responses to climate change and disasters cut across every sector. There is overlap among the impacts, risks, and responses to climate change, disasters, and mitigation. Thus, this Policy serves the purpose of reducing Palau’s vulnerability to climate change by enhancing national coordination in addressing new and additional challenges posed by climate change and its wide-reaching impacts.

This Policy also demonstrates solidarity with global and regional efforts to manage the causes and impacts of climate change. By developing and

implementing this Policy, Palau is keeping its commitments to the UNFCCC, the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006-2015, the Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005–2015, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and the Pacific

Island Forum-mandated Regional Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific. It establishes a framework that will guide

and inform action in accordance with Palau’s Medium Term Development Strategy - Action for Palau’s Future 2009–2014 and the National Master Development Plan – Palau 2020.

Policy Objectives

The main objective of this Policy is to build the resilience of Palau to climate change and disasters. Additional sub-objectives of the Palau Climate Change Policy are to:

• Enhance adaptation and resilience to the expected impacts of global climate change across all sectors,
• Improve Palau’s ability to manage unexpected disasters and minimize disaster risk, and
• Mitigate global climate change by working towards low carbon emission development, maximizing energy efficiency, protecting carbon sinks, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

This Policy establishes, at the highest political level, a single integrated Government Policy with priorities and interventions to establish appropriate institutional frameworks and guide and inform actions that will meet the stated objectives. This Policy articulates Palau’s priority interventions on climate change across all sectors, at all levels (community, state, national, and international). This Policy informs national budgeting and government spending in relation to climate change and in synergy with ongoing economic development and environmental and climate change initiatives.

This Policy and Action Plan form the basis for Palau’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and National Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) that will also inform and facilitate access to international climate change financing under the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund.

Introduction | Principles and Process

Organization of This Policy

This Policy is organized around each sub-objective. Section 1 introduces this Policy, including its Vision and Objectives. Section 2 addresses the

inevitable expected changes to climate by encouraging proactive adaptation. Section 3 addresses the unexpected – whether directly caused by or simply exacerbated by climate change – by institutionalizing preparation and risk reduction for disasters. Section 4 lays out Palau’s priorities for mitigating and minimizing GHG emissions. Section 5 prioritizes cross-sector institutional actions necessary to achieve the three objectives. Section 6 includes an indicative financing budget for implementing the first 5-year Action Plan.

Because climate change and disasters touch every sector and every part of society, there are cross-cutting impacts and responses for all three

objectives. Rather than repeat interventions that are applicable to multiple objectives, this Policy streamlines actions by placing them in the objective where they will have the most impact.

Each section lays out anticipated changes, such as expected changes to climate or probable risks from disasters, and then describes the foundation of existing initiatives on which this Policy is built. It lays out a strategic goal for achieving each objective, and then summarizes priority interventions.

A 5-year Costed Action Plan (Annex 1) describes the actions necessary to achieve the objectives in detail. The Action Plans are designed to be evaluated and updated in 5-year increments (and are equivalent to

regional Joint National Action Plans for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP)).

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Guiding Principles

This Palau Climate Change Policy:

• Establishes a “No Regrets” approach to national development priorities. “No Regrets” is defined as an approach that achieves benefits under all possible future climate change and disaster scenarios, including both low emission and high emission (e.g. low impact and high impact) cases and worst case disaster scenarios;
• Subscribes to the IPCC definition of climate change, which refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity;
• Clarifies and links the roles, powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of stakeholders within national and state governments, the private sector, civil society, communities, and Traditional Leadership;
• Guides national budgeting and fiscal year spending, informs sector (including private stakeholder) spending priorities, and facilitates domestic and international fundraising.

Top: Light through the water © Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock. Bottom: Partners in Palau observe and adapt to climate change in Palau. Far left photo © PCC. Right three photos © Carol Emaurois/PICRC.

Introduction | Evidence and Impacts

Evidence of Global Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading international scientific body for the assessment of climate change, operates under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).

It reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical, and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis. Membership in the IPCC is open to all UN Member Countries, and Palau is a member of the IPCC along with 21 other South-

West Pacific nations. Annex 4 includes more information on the mechanisms and causes of climate change.

In its 2014 Fifth Assessment Report, the IPCC reported that:

• Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history;
• Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850;
• Warming of the climate system due to human-induced greenhouse gases is unequivocal.

Global Impacts from Climate Change

• Changes in climate have impacted natural and human systems on all continents and oceans;
• Oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide has resulted in acidification of the ocean;
• Melting of ice sheets, snow, and glaciers, reduced snow cover, and changing precipitation are altering hydrological systems, affecting water quantity and quality;
• Many terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species have shifted their geographic ranges, seasonal activities, migration patterns, abundances, and species interactions;
• Climate change has negatively impacted crop yields and marine organisms;
• There has been increased frequency and variability in extreme weather and climate events;
• An increase in extreme high sea levels has been observed;
• Climate change will amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and human systems.

A coastal road following Typhoon Bopha in 2012 © Carol Emaurois/PICRC.

Impacts in Palau from Climate Change

As an island nation, Palau is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, principally from sea level rise and the increase in extreme weather events. Palau is vulnerable to both human-induced and natural disasters, which may be exacerbated by climate change. Many of these impacts have already

been felt in Palau and will continue to affect all sectors and geographic areas. So far, annual and seasonal maximum temperatures have increased since 1953 at a rate of 0.11°C (0.2°F), per decade, sea level has risen by about

0.35  inches per year since 1993, faster than the global average, and levels of ocean acidification have been rising since the 18th century. 2014 analysis by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization projects future impacts under the low emissions scenario to include:

Direct Impacts to Natural Systems (relative to 1995; most projections are medium to very high confidence)

• Sea-level rise of 3.0 to 6.3 inches by 2030 and 11.2 to 25 inches by 2090;
• Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events (particularly rain events), with increasing numbers of extreme rainfall days and rainfall intensity;
• Changes in seasonal and annual rainfall, with projected increases in rainfall during the wet season;
• Temperature regime changes, with projected increases in mean air temperatures of 0.5°C (0.9°F) to 1.0°C (1.8°F) by 2030 and an increase in the frequency of very hot days;
• Increasing ocean acidification;
• Decline in frequency of droughts and decline in typhoons (noting only medium to low confidence in these two specific projections).

Indirect/Exacerbated Impacts to Natural Systems

• Increased inundation, storm surges, erosion, and other coastal hazards;
• Changes to quantity, quality, and variability in seasonal and annual flows of surface and underground water;
• Increased coral bleaching events and increased coral mortality;
• Declining fisheries and other marine resources;
• Reduced ecosystem functionality, particularly mangroves as coastal defences and nurseries;
• Overall loss of marine and terrestrial biodiversity and productivity;
• Increasing population, diversity, and range of invasive species.

Indirect/Exacerbated Impacts to Economic Systems

• Negative impacts to the economy in the order of 4 to 20% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), at between US$9.88 to $49.4 million/year;
• Adverse effects to subsistence and commercial agriculture and fisheries;
• Direct and indirect declines in income from tourism;
• Economic losses in households and other sectors, particularly from extreme weather.

Indirect/Exacerbated Impacts to Health Systems

• Reduced food security due to extreme weather events and changes in seasonal weather patterns;
• Human stress and mortality from extreme weather events;
• Increases in the incidences and range of water-borne and vector-borne

Examples of impacts in Palau. Top to Bottom: Salt water intrusion into a taro patch, sea level rise, and destruction and damage after

a Typhoon. All © Carol Emaurois/PICRC.

Adaptation | Risks and Existing Activities

Risks to Sectors from Direct Impacts of Climate Change

Ten sectors identified by the Ad Hoc Climate Change Committee identified priority risks from impacts from climate change. Priority risks were defined based on probability, frequency, and severity of impacts (social, environmental, economic) associated with climate change and disaster events, based on accepted methods used in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Assessments also evaluated capacity constraints and identified technically viable risk management options that constitute the basis for the Action Plan in this Policy. Table 1 lists the top three priority risks for assessed sectors.

Table 1. Priority Risks by Sector and Impact. Numbers indicate priority of risk.

14  Government of Palau 2015

Existing adaptation activities

Even without a formal Climate Change Policy, Palau and its development partners have undertaken a number of initiatives to address risks from and adapt to the expected impacts of climate change. Because climate change has such wide-reaching impacts, many of these existing activities also address the risks from disasters, and are not exclusive to adaptation. Similarly, many of the existing activities undertaken to address disasters also contribute to climate change adaptation. These activities include completed and ongoing projects.

Planning

• Development of Community Local Early Action Plans (LEAP).
• Water security planning within watershed Conservation Action Plans.
• Development of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) policies to build ecosystem resilience.

Research

• Vulnerability assessments in Koror, Kayangel, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, and Melekeok States.
• Testing of salt tolerant varieties of taro and other crops.

Education and Capacity Building

• Community programs to teach children local practices and knowledge to sustain local resources.
• Capacity building and increased training to fill skills gaps in the green sector.
• Improved national capacity for coordination of climate change financing with donors.

Field Interventions

• Integrated partner and community development and promotion of home gardens, local food production, income opportunities, and clean energy projects.
• Demonstration projects in agriculture and aquaculture to increase local food production.
• Improving access to health care, healthy productive ecosystems, employment, and clean water.
• Disaster Risk Management measures as part of the recovery from Super Typhoon Bopha and Haiyan.

After assessing impacts and risks from climate change and identifying existing efforts to adapt, the Working Groups of the Ad Hoc Climate Change Committee identified and prioritized gaps to develop strategic priorities.

An adaptation project in Palau: Construction of a dike system in a taro patch to reduce the impacts of sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, and salt water intrusion © PCC.

Adaptation | Strategic Priorities

Overview

The Palau Climate Change Policy takes a “no regrets” and precautionary approach to prioritisation of interventions, meaning that the interventions will be beneficial across sectors in all anticipated

scenarios of climate change – whether low likelihood or worst case scenarios. Focus is on addressing near term, rather than longer-term environmental, social, and economic climate change impacts due to the five year time frame envisioned for the policy and action plan implementation, as well as the review against indicators in 4 years.

Strategic Priorities

To achieve the strategic goal of climate resilience, priorities include identifying and protecting existing healthy and functioning natural and human systems, assessing and understanding vulnerabilities across sectors and geographic areas, and strengthening and improving the state of natural and human systems, including through initial planning steps. Table 2 defines high-level government visions, objectives, and priority interventions to proactively adapt to climate change and increase resilience. These high level directives form the basis of the first 5-year Action Plan (Annex 1), with associated targets for protection, knowledge, and improvements.

Table 2. High-level government visions, objectives, and priority initiatives for adaptation.

16  Government of Palau 2015

Table 2. (continued)

Disaster Risk Management

| Risks and Existing Activities

Disaster Risks

The Palau National Disaster Risk Management Framework 2010 (NDRMF) highlights that Palau is vulnerable to a number of human-induced and natural disasters. Over the past forty years, Palau has experienced disasters such as typhoons, droughts, and the collapse of the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge. While disasters in Palau have been mostly “natural” events, human-induced or technological disasters are expected to increase in the future and may be exacerbated by climate change, if national development is not regulated or managed in a sustainable manner. Table 3 lists natural and human-induced disasters. They have been rated in terms of their risk potential as high, medium or low.

Table 3. Natural and human-induced disasters and their level of risk.

Electrical Systems, including this power pole, are a priority for disaster risk management © Carol Emaurois/PICRC.

Existing Activities to Manage Disaster Risks

Trash on shore after a storm

© Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock.

Among other disaster-related documents, Palau developed the NDRMF 2010, mandated by Executive

Order No.287, which outlined priorities and processes for managing disasters and disaster risk. Existing actions to manage disaster risks include:

Infrastructure

• Establishment of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) as the central coordinating agency for Disaster Management.
• Maintenance by NEMO of resources and systems to monitor, evaluate, warn, and cope with the effects of a disaster.
• Construction of a NEMO Emergency Operation Centre with Communication Room, Training Room/Briefing Room, Resting Area, and office spaces for personnel.
• Palau National Weather Office weather tracking systems which are linked to international weather tracking systems.
• Emergency communication, early warning, and alerting systems using multiple media.
• Tools and technologies in place such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, computer modelling software, and long-term climate predictions.
• Identification of evacuation shelters in each community.
• Improved solid waste management and recycling.

Education and Capacity Building

• Delivery of training programs through national, regional, or international training providers.
• Formal and informal disaster risk management education and awareness programs offered by the National Weather Office and Palau Red Cross Society, among others.
• Promotion of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle).

Planning and Evaluation

• Development of response plans by government departments, private sectors, and media organisations to coordinate national disaster management.
• Evaluation and reporting by NEMO on levels of disaster preparedness within departments, sectors, agencies, and communities.
• Disaster risk assessment processes within agencies tasked with permitting development and major capital investments.
• Development of a NDRMF and a Recovery Plan for Super Typhoon Bopha and Haiyan.
• Participation in the Pacific Island Emergency Management Alliance and activities and capacity building to improve interoperability and cohesiveness between key response agencies.

After assessing impacts and risks from climate change and identifying existing efforts to adapt, the Working Groups of the Ad Hoc Climate Change Committee identified and prioritized gaps to develop strategic priorities.

Disaster Risk Management

| Strategic Priorities

Overview

This Policy reiterates and supports the strategic priorities in the National Disaster Risk Management Framework 2010 (NDRMF). As with Palau’s approach to adaptation, disaster risk management also takes a proactive “No Regrets” approach that achieves benefits under even the worst case disaster scenario.

Strategic Priorities

To achieve the goal of safe, resilient, and disaster-prepared communities in Palau, overall priorities include preparing for disasters and reducing

disaster risk. Directives in this Policy include implementing the NDRMF, with particular emphasis on strengthening of national disaster risk management structures and mechanisms, including budgetary allocation processes.

Objectives of this Policy reiterate and expand on those in the NDRMF:

• Strengthening mechanisms for control, coordination, decision- making, accountability, and organizational arrangements for disaster management and disaster risk reduction
• Implementing organizational arrangements to maximize available resources
• Promoting integrated planning and collaboration for disaster management and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) across sectors

Priority interventions to meet these objectives are outlined in Table 4.

20  Government of Palau 2015

A resort in Palau © Blue Orange Studio/Shutterstock

Table 4. High level government visions and priority interventions for disaster risk management.

Evidence of coastal erosion and sea level rise on a beach in Palau © Carol Emaurois/PICRC.

Mitigation and Low Emission Development | Background

Causes of Climate Change

Earth’s atmosphere is composed of a “transparent blanket” of gasses, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, with trace amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapor. These gasses reflect, absorb, and re-radiate energy. The sun is the source of all of earth’s energy. The sun’s energy enters earth as light, which is absorbed and then released as heat. Gasses in the atmosphere act as a “natural” greenhouse, trapping just enough heat to make life as we know it possible on Earth. More information on the mechanisms of climate change are in Annex 4.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution in about 1750, human activities have changed the composition of the atmosphere. In particular, burning of carbon-based fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, diesel, and oil, which produce carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct, has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Additionally, burning of forests (which store carbon) has contributed to increases in GHGs. As a result, the rate of heat-loss from the Earth has slowed, creating a warming effect.

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases result in global warming, which affects key elements of climate. Both winds and rainfall are directly influenced by temperature, and thus the increasing greenhouse effect is expected to change many of the basic weather patterns that make up our climate, including wind and rainfall patterns

and the incidence and intensity of extreme weather events. Global warming has significant consequences for the oceans, as more than 85 per cent of the additional heat in the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans.

Figure 1. Palau’s Emission Trends by Gas

Contribution by Palau to Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 from Palau were on the order of 216 kilo tonnes (Figure 1; according to World Bank estimates). Emissions from the energy sector represent the majority of emissions in Palau for all years measured, ranging from between 84% to 96% of total

emissions. Palau’s energy economy relies almost completely on fossil fuels and consists of an annual supply of approximately

14.5 million gallons of diesel fuel, and 15.8 million gallons of gasoline. Almost all of Palau’s diesel consumption is for power generation, with the rest being used for transport. Most of the diesel consumed for transport is used by fishing vessels and state- owned ferries, with little used for road transport.

Source: Palau Second National Communication to the UNFCCC (OERC, 2013), according to the World Bank

22  Government of Palau 2015

Existing activities to manage causes of climate change

In 2010, Palau endorsed the National Energy Policy (NEP) along with an Energy Sector Strategic Action Plan to implement the NEP. The NEP called for improved institutional arrangements, increased energy efficiency, and the promotion of renewable energy. The NEP set national targets to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2020 and to produce a minimum of 20% of electrical energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Activities in Palau to manage climate change have fallen into two categories:

1)   reducing fossil-fuel based energy consumption and emission of GHGs, and

2)   management of carbon sinks. Carbon sinks include terrestrial resources such as forests and marine resources such as coral reefs, which remove carbon from the atmosphere and convert it to biomass. Protecting forests from fires is one way Palau conserves its global carbon sinks. Methods to mitigate, manage, or reduce GHGs include:

Alternative Energy Production

• Approximately 2.2% of Palauan energy use comes from local renewable energy sources. Palau has high solar energy potential. Solar water heating is used in many houses and tourist facilities. Large solar energy systems have produced as much as 11.6% of peak demand. Users who connect their systems to the grid may receive credits for excess energy produced.
• Palau’s Bureau of Agriculture has experimented with a biogas pilot project for small pig farms.
• Testing of renewable energy projects for infrastructure.
• Wind monitoring stations have been established at three locations in Babeldaob. Other entities have found a notable potential for wind energy.

Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation

• A shift to propane gas for cooking is reducing GHG emissions in the residential sector.
• Conversion from two-stroke marine engines to more efficient engines is ongoing.
• Utility-based programs to minimize waste and encourage energy conservation.
• Subsidized funding for Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs for households.
• Provision of low interest loans for energy efficient homes and industries.
• Provision of loan subsidies for energy efficient retrofitting of residential and commercial buildings.

Planning and Research

• Development of an Energy Conservation Strategy.
• Funding is in place for Technical studies to examine potential renewable energy resources.

View from a canoe © Androver/Shutterstock

Mitigation and Low Emission Development | Strategic Priorities

Overview

This section of this Policy focuses on the mitigation of causes of global climate change by reducing Palau’s GHG emissions, achieved through a mixture of energy efficiency, low emission development, and management of carbon sinks. Priority risks and interventions for carbon sinks have been captured in Section 2 on Climate Change Adaptation, as Palau’s primary carbon sinks are coral reefs, marine resources, and forests. Thus this part of the Policy focuses on the energy sector, primarily energy efficiency. Low emissions development

– whether energy efficient or not – is a growth area within Palau. Many low emissions efforts have commenced, but are not advanced enough to be the focus of priority interventions beyond renewable energy.

This Policy reiterates and supports the priorities in the National Energy Policy 2010, which states the Government’s strategies for the planning and

management of the nation’s energy sector to 2020. The National Energy Policy 2010 set national targets of a 20% contribution of renewable energy to the electrical energy mix by 2020 and a 30% reduction in energy consumption.

Palau will use this Policy to inform its pre-2020 Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and its post-2020 Intended National Determined Contributions (INDCs) under the UNFCCC. Other options and new technologies for low emission development may be considered during reviews of this Policy if environmentally sound and locally appropriate and may contribute to Low- Emission Development Strategies and Plans (LEDS), which will again form the basis of Palau’s NAMAs and INDCs.

Strategic Priorities

To achieve the goals of sustainably managing carbon sinks and reducing GHG emissions by at least 20%, overall priorities include improving institutional arrangements for energy sector management, promoting and/or mandating energy efficiency and energy conservation, expanding renewable energy production and use, and diversification and improved security of the

existing electricity supply. Existing priorities for adaptation and disaster risk management will enable sustainable management of carbon sinks. Table 5 outlines priority interventions for achieving these goals.

24  Government of Palau 2015

Improving institutional arrangements includes development and enforcement of an Energy Act outlined in the National Energy Policy 2010, with associated Energy Administration and a National Energy Committee (NEC). Achieving a 30% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020 is feasible. This Policy recognizes that improving the efficiency of energy use will reduce energy consumption more than any other action and prioritizes actions that support adoption of high efficiency appliances and vehicles, energy efficient building standards, efficient modes of transport (including public), and smart planning. Government is also committed to energy efficient purchasing and construction.

Achieving a target of 20% renewable energy sourcing will require expansion into other forms of renewable energy such as wind, waste (landfill gas), hydropower, and/or marine energy (wave energy and currents). This

Policy recognizes the role that development partners play in closing the gap between supply costs for renewable energy and conventional energy.

Additional priorities include comprehensive assessments and analysis of options (including financing), data collection, improved capacity, and

development of renewable energy equipment standards. Renewable energy technologies shall be integrated in all outer island energy development by 2020.

To increase the security of Palau’s electricity supply, the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) will be allowed to recover all cost associated with the supply of electricity and encouraged to decentralize. Diversification includes encouraging private sector participation in electricity supply, increasing renewable energy sources (including financing), and increasing the number of products and services offered by PPUC.

Lush forest © PCS

Table 5. High-level government objectives and priorities for Mitigation and Low Emission Development.

Institutional Mechanisms for Effective Policy Implementation

| Background and Strategic Priorities

Overview

To achieve the three goals of increased adaptation and resilience, improved disaster management, and mitigation of global climate change through low carbon emission development, this Policy prioritizes dedicated resourcing (human, technical, and financial) for climate change within a supportive legal and institutional enabling framework, with

a centralized Climate Change Office. Priority interventions related to overall institutional management of this Policy are in Table 6.

Existing Governance

There is no central focal point for climate change within the Palau government. The Office of Environmental Response and Coordination (OERC) within the Office of the President has the role of coordination within the Environment Sector and houses a National Climate Change Coordinator position. The Palau Grants Office is the National Focal Point for both the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund under the UNFCCC. The Vice President’s Office houses NEMO. NEMO is also the Secretariat for the National Emergency Committee. The Ad Hoc Climate Change Committee will continue to serve as the National Climate Change Committee.

Gaps in Good Governance (Government- to Sector-level)

Engagement by communities in building climate change resilience has been limited by competing interests, minimal capacity and understanding, and confusion arising from ad hoc government and partner projects on climate change that have not been aligned or coordinated. The absence of a central focal point for climate change and disaster risk programming has resulted in a limited ability to keep key stakeholders engaged over a

sustained period of time, while the absence of core budget support from government for climate change programming has resulted in understaffed institutions with inadequate resourcing (human, technical, and financial) to effectively manage pressing climate change and disaster risk management priorities. Capacity assessments determined that within sectors:

• There is some understanding on vulnerabilities to risks from climate change or disasters.
• There is limited understanding of mechanisms/strategies to manage risks.
  • There is limited information on energy efficient or renewable energy technologies.
  • There is limited understanding of how to transition to energy efficient or renewable energy operations.
  • Mainstreaming of climate change and disaster risk management into sector planning, development, and operations has been limited.
  • There are limited institutions and tools at sector and site specific levels to manage risks.
  • There are limited resources (human, technical, financial) and social capital available.

26  Government of Palau 2015

Table 6. High-level priorities for good governance and institutional management of this Policy.

Figure 2. Institutional Framework for Effective Policy Implementation (Organizational Chart).

Monitoring and Evaluation

This Policy shall be reviewed annually by the Climate Change Office and the National Climate Change Committee against the Measurable Indicators in the Action Plan. Within 4 years

of the adoption of this Policy,  the National Climate Change Committee in collaboration with the Climate Change Office shall initiate a broad-based evaluation to determine the effectiveness of this Policy and implementation of the associated Action Plan and to develop the next 5-year Action Plan. Evaluation shall also consider the incorporation of social and gender safeguards as this Policy and its interventions are implemented. This Policy encourages exploration of

a National Planning and Accountability Office to monitor, at a high level, the adherence

of sectors to the “No Regrets” approach to ensure that interventions will be beneficial under all future scenarios.

Schools of fish on a reef © Kristina Vackova/Shutterstock

Palau Climate Change Policy     29

Financing Needs for Policy Implementation

Table 7. Costs for implementing priority interventions (first 5 years).

The cost to implement the priority interventions during the first 5-year Action Plan (Annex 1) is on the scale of US$500 million dollars. This includes both government and sector costs. Costs were developed within sectors using expert judgement from professionals within each sector. The costs were then aligned and streamlined across the sectors to provide an overall assessment of financing needs. Costs are indicative of the scale of financing needed, and would require further elaboration within sectors before budgets are fully committed.

The Government of Palau will explore options for innovative and coordinated financing to implement this Policy, from varied sources such as multilateral and bilateral donors and regional and national funding mechanisms and using tools such as the Pacific Climate Change Finance Assessment Framework. The Government of Palau has strengthened its budgetary systems and will seek accreditation as a National Implementing Entity to both

the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund. Sector agencies will need to undertake detailed climate change and disaster risk planning and budgeting. Innovative financing approaches and operations will be explored, including options such as microfinance, levies, subsidies, soft loans, emergency funds, sovereign insurance, contingent credit, catastrophe bonds, and intergovernmental risk pooling.

30  Government of Palau 2015

“For it is only by taking control of our territory and our sovereignty that we can ensure that generations more of Palauans can preserve their heritage and enjoy the natural bounty provided to us.”

PAlAU PreSidenttOmmy e. remengeSAU Jr.United nAtiOnS, 2014

By establishing this Policy Palau is taking the necessary steps to make its own National plans a reality and meet its obligations under the UNFCCC and other regional and international agreements.

More importantly, by following the priorities in this Policy, Palau’s government and sector leaders will contribute to a global effort to minimize the impacts of climate change, and will build a more resilient and prepared nation that can thrive even in

a changing world.

A Mechas in a taro patch © PCS

“Palau is an inspiring example of a small island nation courageously addressing the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss through a blue-green economy transition…

“We should look upon small island nations like Palau as microcosms of our larger society, and not stand back and leave them to grapple with threats - such as climate change.”

UnUnder-SecretAry-

generAl AndUneP execUtiVe directOrAchim Steiner, 2014

Palau Climate Change Policy  31

Acronyms | Used in the Annexes

ACCC Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean ADB    Asian Developent Bank

AG    Attorney General

AIPVAA An Integrative Planning and Vulnerability Assessment Approach BCI    Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction

BEEA Belau Educators and Employers Alliance BFSCA    Belau Family School Community Association

BLS Bureau of Lands and Survey BMR    Bureau of Marine Resources

BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BOA    Bureau of Agriculture

BPW    Bureau of Public Works BTA Belau Tourism Association CC    Climate Change

CCCPIR Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region CIP    Capital Improvement Program

CO2    Carbon Dioxide

CROP Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific CRRF    Coral Reef Research Foundation

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Australia) DRM    Disaster Risk Management

DRR     Disaster Risk Reduction ECO    Energy Conservation Officer

EQPB Environmental Quality Protection Board ESSAP    Energy Sector Strategic Action Plan

FSM Federated States of Micronesia GCCA    Global Climate Change Alliance

GIS    Geographical Information System

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit IPCC    Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change

IPP    Independent power producer

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management JICA    Japan International Cooperation Agency

KSPLA Koror State Public Lands Authority kW    Kilowatt

LED    Light-emitting diode

MCCA    Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs

MNRET Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Tourism MOE    Ministry of Education

MOF Ministry of Finance MOH Ministry of Health MOJ Ministry of Justice MOS    Ministry of State

MPA     Marine Protected Area

MPIIC Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries, and Commerce MSC    Micronesian Shipping Commission

Mw    Megawatt

NAP  National Adaptation Plan NCD    Non-communicable disease

32  Government of Palau 2015

Nudibranch © J’nel/Shutterstock

NDBP    National Development Bank of Palau

NDRMF    National Disaster Risk Management Framework

NEC National Energy Committee (in Mitigation and Low Emission Development) NEMO    National Emergency Management Office

NEP    National Energy Policy

NEPC National Environmental Protection Council NGO    Nongovernmental Organization

NIE     National Implementing Entity NISS    National Invasive Species Strategy

OEK    Olbiil Era Kelulau (Palau National Congress)

OERC Office of Environmental Response and Coordination OP    Office of the President

OPS Office of Planning and Statistics OGTF    Oil & Gas Task Force

PALARIS Palau Automated Land and Resource Information System PAN     Protected Areas Network

PAT      Palau Achievement Test

PCAA Palau Community Action Agency PCC    Palau Community College

PCC-CRE Palau Community College Cooperative Research Extension PCS    Palau Conservation Society

PEO    Palau Energy Office

PHA    Palau Housing Authority

PICRC    Palau International Coral Reef Center

PNCC Palau National Communications Corporation PPA     Pacific Power Association

PPLA Palau Public Lands Authority PPP    Public Private Partnership

PPUC Palau Public Utilities Corporation PSIS    Pacific Small Islands States

PVA     Palau Visitor’s Authority

RMI Republic of the Marshall Islands ROP    Republic of Palau

SAP    Strategic Action Plan

SBDC Small Business Development Center SGP    Small Grants Program

SLM    Sustainable Land Management

SOPAC Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission SPC    Secretariat of the Pacific Community

SPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme TNC    The Nature Conservancy

UAK Ulkerreuil A Klengar UN    United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme US DoE    United States Department of Education

USAID United States Agency for International Development USDA    United States Department of Agriculture

WEF    World Economic Forum

WMO World Meteorological Organization WSC    Water Science Center

Palau Climate Change Policy     33

Annex 1 – 5-Year Costed Action Plan, SECTION A through P.*

*Costs indicative of scale of financing necessary. Costs derived through expert judgement and aligned across sectors. The total sum of $500 million is derived from the sum of interventions only. Sectors will assign costs to blank interventions and actions as they are determined.

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Annex 2 | References and Additional Resources

Annex 2. References and Additional Resources.

1. Relevant or Referenced Palau Specific Plans or Frameworks

Asian Development Bank Project: An Integrated Planning and Vulnerability Assessment Approach (AIPVAA) conducted in Melekeok State. Unpublished.

BOA. National Policy, Institutional Framework and Strategy for Resilient Agriculture & Aquaculture. Unpublished.

European Union. 2008. Republic of Palau Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Assistance to the Energy Sector in Five ACP Pacific Islands (REP-5) http://www.globalislands.net/userfiles/Palau-1.pdf

MNRET (2011). Working Document: Sustainable Land Management and Sustainable Finance – Draft. Unpublished. Koror, Palau.

MNRET. 2012. Palau Water Policy. http://www.pacific-iwrm.org/community/attachment.php?s=0 39f9c946c3cb64197d5242e17d56b39&attachmentid=254&d=1336003327

MPIIC and PEO. 2010. National Energy Policy (NEP). http://www.palauenergyoffice.com/wp- content/uploads/2013/06/Palau-Energy-Policy.pdf

NEMO. 2010. Palau National Disaster Risk Management Framework 2010. http://www. pacificdisaster.net/pdnadmin/data/documents/8550.html

NEPC. 2004. National Invasive Species Strategy. https://www.cbd.int/doc/submissions/ias/ias-pw- strategy-2007-en.pdf

OEK. 2009. Net Metering Act. http://www.palauenergyoffice.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ Net-Metering-Act-RPPL-8-39-dat.pdf

OERC (2002). First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 2002. Office of Environmental Response and Coordination. Koror, Palau.

OERC. 2013. Palau Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

PALARIS (2012). Sustainable Land Management Policy. SLM Medium Sized Project. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Industries and Commerce. Koror, Palau.

Palau Energy Office (2009). Development of the Palau National Energy Policy: Energy Sector Review Final Report. NEPF/PAL5/NPE2. Koror, Palau.

Palau Energy Office. Complete Streets Policy. Unpublished.

Palau Energy Policy Development Working Group. 2009. Energy Sector Strategic Action Plan (ESSAP). http://www.palauenergyoffice.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2009-10-Palau- strategic-energy-plan-final-draft.pdf

PPUC, PEO, MOF, and Philippe McCracken, Peter Johnston, and Herbert Wade. Palau Energy Conservation Strategy. 2007 Interim Report on The Palau Energy Conservation Strategy: http://ict.sopac.org/VirLib/PI0074.pdf

Republic of Palau and ADB. 2009. Palau’s Medium Term Development Strategy - Action for Palau’s Future 2009–2014. http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/cobp-pal-2014- 2016-sd.pdf

Republic of Palau. 1996. National Master Development Plan – Palau 2020. http:// phtpacific.org/sites/default/files/arrgmts_plans_dev_frame/90/files/PLW_ NationalMasterDevelopmentPlan-2020_2010-06_Part1.pdf

ROP (2009). Actions for Palau’s Future: The Medium Term Development Strategy Explanatory Booklet. Government of Palau with the assistance of the Facility for Economic and Infrastructure Management and the support of the Asian Development Bank. Koror, Palau.

The Environment, Inc. and Sustainable Decisions (2013). Draft Climate Change Policy Review.

Unpublished, MNRET. Koror, Palau.

1. Relevant or Referenced Regional or International Plans and Frameworks

SOPAC. 2005. Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005–2015.      http://www.preventionweb.net/files/34617_mr06131.pdf

SPC. 2014. Strategy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Development in the Pacific (SRDP). http://www.spc.int/crga/sites/default/files/documents_uploads/CRGA44%20-%206.2%20 Strategy%20for%20Climate%20and%20Disaster%20Resilient%20Development%20in%20 the%20Pacific%20%28SRDP%29.pdf

48  Government of Palau 2015

SPREP. 2006. Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change 2006-2015. http://www. sprep.org/climate_change/pycc/documents/PIFACC.pdf

United Nations. 2005. Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015. http://www.unisdr.org/ files/1037_hyogoframeworkforactionenglish.pdf

United Nations. 2015. ISDR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. http://www. preventionweb.net/files/resolutions/N1514318.pdf

1. Relevant or Referenced Local and Global Scientific Information on Climate Change

Australian Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO. 2014. Climate Variability, Extremes and Change in the Western Tropical Pacific: New Science and Updated Country Reports. Pacific- Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program Technical Report. http://www.pacificclimatechangescience.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PACCSAP_ CountryReports2014_WEB_140710.pdf

Caribbean Community Secretariat. 2003. Caribbean risk management guidelines for climate change adaptation decision making. Adapting to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCU QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2F200.32.211.67%2FM-Files%2Fopenfile.aspx%3Fobjecttype%3D0

%26docid%3D2879&ei=O4-LVaCxC8zy-AGnp6GYCw&usg=AFQjCNH_djGMu7aUsjZmLxeqnTL_ S8c97w&bvm=bv.96782255,d.cWw&cad=rja

EQPB and Pacific IWRM. 2012. Ngerikiil Watershed Restoration for Improved Water Quality. https://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/document/Pacific-IWRM- Results-Note-Palau-Final-cp%20%281%29.pdf

IPCC. 2014: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Field, C.B.,

V.R. Barros, D.J. Dokken, K.J. Mach, M.D. Mastrandrea, T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. Genova, B. Girma, E.S. Kissel, A.N. Levy, S. MacCracken, P.R. Mastrandrea, and

L.L. White (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA,    pp.   1-32.  https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf

McLeod, Elizabeth, Jeffrey Maynard, Ruben Van Hooidonk, Yimnang Golbuu, Annick Cros, Rodney

1. Salm, Edward M. Warner, Lindsey Harriman, and Gabriella Ahmadia (2012). Integrating reef resilience and climate change vulnerability into protected area design and management in Palau and greater Micronesia. Western Pacific Coral Reef Institute, University of Guam. Mangilao, Guam.

Mcleod, Elizabeth, Kenneth RN Anthony, Andreas Andersson, Roger Beeden, Yimnang Golbuu, Joanie Kleypas, Kristy Kroeker, Derek Manzello, Rod V Salm, Heidi Schuttenberg, and Jennifer E Smith (2012). Preparing to manage coral reefs for ocean acidification: lessons from coral bleaching. Front Ecol Environ 2012; doi:10.1890/110240.

Palau National Weather Service Office and the Pacific Climate Change Science Program. 2011.

Current and future climate of Palau. http://www.pacificclimatechangescience.org/wp- content/uploads/2013/06/2_PCCSP_Palau_8pp.pdf

van Woesik, Robert, Peter Houk, Adelle L. Isechal, Jacques W. Idechong, Steven Victor, and Yimnang Golbuu (2012). Climate-change refugia in the sheltered bays of Palau: analogs of future reefs. Ecology and Evolution: doi: 10.1002/ece3.363.

White House. 2014. U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change. https://www. whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/11/us-china-joint-announcement-climate-change

World Economic Forum (WEF). 2015. Global Risks Report. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ Global_Risks_2015_Report15.pdf

Palau Climate Change Policy  49

Annex 3 | Additional Background and Process

Annex 3. Additional Background and Processes to Develop this Policy

Palau has been addressing issues related to climate change in its private and public sector planning for many years. The formal process for developing this Policy in its current state began

in 2012 with an OEK House Resolution to develop a policy and action plan. That same year the Republic of Palau requested technical assistance and in 2013 a formal project to develop the Policy was initiated with funding support from the SPC and USAID. SPC funding was from the European Union-funded Global Climate Change Alliance Pacific Small Islands States Project (GCCA: PSIS) and the Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region program (CCCPIR) implemented

in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The OEK House Resolution called for the creation of a Climate Change Committee (called the Ad Hoc Climate Change Committee (AHCCC)) that would report to the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC). The AHCCC through its secretariat the Office of Environmental Response & Coordination (OERC) retained the services of local and international consultants, including the Palau-based Sustainable Decisions, The Environment Inc., and Palau Conservation Society, New Zealand-based FCG ANZDEC, and United States-based D&D Biodiversity Consulting. Additional development partners included SPREP and the University of the South Pacific.

The AHCCC established 10 working groups to represent the following sectors:

1. Agriculture and Fisheries
2. Health
3. Finance, Commerce, & Economic Development
4. Biodiversity, Conservation, and Natural Resources
5. Critical Infrastructure
6. Utilities
7. Society and Culture
8. Good Governance
9. Education
10. Tourism

The process to develop the Policy was built on existing initiatives through a sector-based consultation effort to provide a framework for

50  Government of Palau 2015

a coordinated approach to building resilience to climate change and disasters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process builds upon earlier work, and has been defined and developed through:

(a)        initial assessments of vulnerability and levels of greenhouse gas emissions conducted

to prepare the Palau Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;

(b)       initial risk assessments undertaken to develop the Palau National Disaster Risk Management Framework 2010;

(c)        energy assessments undertaken as part of the process to develop the National Energy

Policy (NEP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2010;

(d)       sector risk and capacity assessments undertaken by sector working groups

(e)       national capacity assessments and definition of priority risks, gaps, and needs by the Ad- Hoc Climate Change Committee and other stakeholders.

The process included national level planning and meetings as well as sector-level assessments and focus group interviews that included input from all levels of society: government, non-government, and private; national, local, and traditional, and multiple representatives from communities.

Sector assessment tools were standard and followed generally tested and accepted methods from around the region and the world. A key tool was the “Caribbean risk management guidelines for climate change adaptation decision making” tool (Caribbean Community Secretariat, 2003), which guided assessments. Steps in the process included:

• Priority Climate Change Risk Assessments
• Sector Adaptive Capacity Assessments
• Capacity Assessments for Mainstreaming Climate Change
• A National Adaptive Capacity Assessment
• Community Engagement Assessment
• Standardized action-plan matrix
• Plus/Delta Evaluation

Assessments occurred during facilitated focus group sessions and from at least 20 confidential Key Informant Interviews. Through the process over 150 individuals provided input to the priorities in this Policy.

Annex 4 | Causes and Mechanisms of Climate Change

Annex 4. Causes and Mechanisms of Climate Change

1. Evidence for Climate Change and its impacts

The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)1, the world’s leading international scientific body for the assessment of climate change, releases periodic reports on the causes and effects of climate change. In the Fifth Assessment Report released in 2014, the IPCC reported that:

atmosphere and oceans have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, and sea level has risen;

➢     Changes in climate have caused impacts on natural and human systems on all continents and across the oceans.

➢     Since the beginning of the industrial era, oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide has resulted in acidification of the ocean - the ocean has absorbed about 30% of

the emitted anthropogenic CO ;

➢     Human influence on the climate system is clear,

➢     Greenland and Antarctic ice

2

ts have been losing

and recent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases are the highest in history;

➢     Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850;

➢     Recent climate changes have had widespread

impacts on human and natural systems;

➢     Warming of the climate system due to human- induced greenhouse gases is unequivocal, and since the 1950s, many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia - the

shee

mass, glaciers have continued to shrink almost worldwide, while Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover has continued to decrease in extent;

➢     In many regions, changing precipitation or melting snow and ice are altering hydrological systems, affecting water resources in terms of quantity and quality;

➢     Many terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species have shifted their geographic ranges, seasonal activities, migration patterns, abundances, and

1. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological  Organization  (WMO) in 1988 to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.  The  IPCC  is  a scientific body under  the  auspices of the United Nations (UN). It reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic informa- tion produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change.  It does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate  related  data or parameters. Thousands of scientists from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC on a voluntary basis. The IPCC is an intergovernmental body. It is open to all member countries of the United Nations (UN) and WMO. Currently 195 countries are members of the IPCC. Governments participate  in the review process and the plenary Sessions, where main decisions about the IPCC work programme are taken and reports are accepted, adopted and approved. The IPCC Bureau Members, including the Chair, are also elected during the plenary Sessions. Because of its scientific and intergovernmental na- ture, the IPCC embodies a unique op- portunity to provide rigorous and bal- anced scientific information to decision makers. By endorsing the IPCC reports, governments acknowledge the author- ity of their scientific content. The work of the organization is therefore policy- relevant and yet policy-neutral, never policy-prescriptive.

Source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

Annex 4 | Causes and Mechanisms of Climate Change

species interactions in response to ongoing climate change;

➢     Negative impacts of climate change on crop yields and marine organisms have been observed;

➢     Changes in many extreme weather and climate events have been observed - including a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase in the number of heavy precipitation events in a number of regions;

➢     Climate change will amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and human systems.

2. Causes of Climate Change

➢      The ‘natural’ greenhouse effect makes life as we know it possible on Earth, without which the average global temperature would be about – 18°C rather than its current +14°C. Earth’s surface

temperature is determined by the radiative balance, the net difference between the energy gained from incoming energy from the sun and the amount

lost into space as infrared radiation. The Earth’s atmosphere acts like a transparent blanket (or

52  Government of Palau 2015

greenhouse), letting in light but trapping some of the heat it generates. Without an atmosphere, all of this energy would be lost to space. This natural effect relies on ‘greenhouse’ gases in our atmosphere allowing sunlight to pass through, and trapping some of the resulting heat energy that radiates back up from the Earth’s surface.

➢      Since the start of the Industrial Revolution in about 1750, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels including coal and oil which emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, have dramatically increased the concentration of

greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. As a result, the rate of heat-loss from the Earth has slowed, creating a warming effect. More than 85 per cent of the additional heat in our atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere in 2013 was approximately 395 parts per million, and is now at a level higher than

at any time over the past 800,000—and possibly 20 million—years.

➢      As levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases rise, the delicate chemical balance in the

Source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

atmosphere is affected, resulting in global warming that affects key elements of the climate. The enhanced greenhouse effect caused by increases in human- induced emissions of greenhouse

gases is expected to change many of the basic weather patterns that make up our climate, including wind and rainfall patterns and the incidence and intensity of storms.

Source: Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory/NOAA