1.0 INTRODUCTION 

1.1      CLIMATECHANGE AND GLOBALENVIRONMENTALCHANGE

Climate change and its accompanying impacts is one of the most challenging and complex environmental problems now confronting the global environment and humanity. Scientific evidence and the work of the global scientific authority on climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007), has shown that concentrations of Green House Gases (GHG) in the earth’s atmosphere have increased significantly since the industrial revolution. Moreover, there is a growing scientific consensus that the window for limiting temperature rise to 2˚C is past, and that the slow international response to limiting emissions, combined with the growing catalogue of feedback mechanisms will now inevitably lead to a mean global temperature rise of 3˚C, or more, by century’s end.  There is overwhelming evidence to show that this is caused by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, removal of carbon from forests and soils and increasing emissions from waste and industrial processes. As a result of this the earth’s atmosphere is getting hotter, weather patterns are changing and sea level is rising due to warming and expansion of the oceans as well as the melting of glaciers and ice in the colder regions of the world. GHG emission levels are strongly linked to economic development energy demand which is showing no signs of slowing down. The International Energy Agency (IEA), energy Technology Perspectives 2008 report has estimated that global energy demand will double from present levels by around 2030 (IEA, 2008). 

The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the IPCC in 2007,  states that GHG concentration in the atmosphere would need to stay below the level of 450 parts per million (ppm) in order to prevent average global temperature from rising by more than 2˚C above pre-industrial levels. This is widely considered the maximum temperature increase to avoid irreversible damage to global climate and ecosystems (IPCC, 2007). A more recent and gravely disturbing finding is that the latest scientific knowledge on climate change is showing a rising trend in GHG emissions that will give rise to impacts that are worse than the IPCC worst case scenario and is posing serious risk of severe disruption of the climate system as well as posing a real threat to sustainable development and endangering efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 

1.2      GLOBAL AND PACIFICREGIONCLIMATECHANGEPROJECTIONS

The IPCC  AR4 has re-affirmed its earlier conclusions that all countries and regions of the world will be affected in various ways by climate change. The report also indicates that the impacts will vary between and within regions of the world but will hit hardest on the poorest regions and the poorest people who have the least resources for facing the changes brought about by climate related extreme events. The  AR4 on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability chapter on small islands confirms the following future impacts (IPCC, 2007); 

• Small islands will be very vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme events; 
• Sea level will increase rates of inundation, storm surges, erosion and other coastal; hazards and will threaten infrastructure, settlement, coastal food stock and facilities supporting livelihoods; 
• Water resources are likely to be seriously affected; 
• Coral reefs, fisheries and marine-based resources will be heavily impacted; 
• Species is starting to be lost or replaced due to warming in higher altitudes; 
• Subsistence and commercial agriculture will be adversely affected; 
• Effects on tourism are likely to be direct and indirect and largely negative; and 
• There is growing concern that human health will be impacted, mostly in adverse ways. 

The location and diverse geography of islands in the Pacific means that each island or island group will experience variations in weather events and overall climate change. 

2.0 NATIONAL CONTEXT 

2.1      SUMMARY NATIONAL CONTEXT

2.2      CLIMATE DRIVERS AND TRENDS

2.2.1 EL NINO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION

One of the drivers of inter-annual climate variability affecting Solomon Islands is the El NinoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) events which are known to have distinct oceanographic, temperature, rainfall and cyclonic conditions (Figure 2.2.1). There are usually two phases: El Nino and La Nina. During an El Nino ocean surface waters are warmer than normal and the equatorial divergence is located well to the east of the Pacific. A La Nina event is when the temperatures are cooler and equatorial divergence occurs across much of the region. Cyclones and high rainfall events are associated with the La Nina periods. The future of ENSO events is still not clear but it is expected that it will continue to be an important driver of Solomon Islands climate into the future. 

Figure 2.2.1:The average positions of the major climate features in November to April. Source: PCCSP Project 2011.  

2.2.2 CONVERGENCE ZONES AND MONSOON

Solomon Islands is also affected by the seasonal movement of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). These are bands of cloud systems that normally brings heavy rainfall over the islands during their occurrences. These cloud bands are closely associated with rising warm air over waters where winds converge.  

The Western Pacific Monsoon (WPM) also has some influence on the climate and rainfall of Solomon. This however, is driven by the large differences in ocean and land temperatures and during its occurrence, a very dry condition could turn very wet. 

2.2.3 TEMPERATURE

Records of temperature across the country over the past decades show an increasing trend (Figure 2.2.3). This is in line with the global and regional projections and corroborated by the experiences provided by women and farmers consulted in various parts of the country.  

Figure 2.23:  Annual average temperature for Honiara. Light blue bars indicate El Nino years. Dark blue bars indicate La Nina years and the grey bars indicate neutral years. Source: PCCSP Project.

 2.2.4 RAINFALL

Data analysed to date shows no clear indication on what the tendency of the annual rainfall for the whole country will be like, as there are large gaps in certain data sets rendering it difficult to construct a rational relationship reasonable for all stations. Records from weather stations around the country reveal that some areas showed a decline in their annual rainfall (Auki), while others (Munda and Lata, in Santa Cruz) displayed an increase in rainfall trend (Figure 

2.2.4. 

Figure 2.2.4: Annual rainfall (above) and mean temperature (below) for Honiara. Source: Solomon Islands Meteorological Services. 

2.2.5 CYCLONES

The recent review of international literature by the World Fish report (Brokovich et al., 2012) on trends of cyclones in the Pacific has the following summary: 

• The dissipation force of a cyclone is correlated to sea surface temperature.  
• Number of high intensity cyclones (categories 4 and 5) in the north-western Pacific has gone up in the last 30 years.  
• A recent study has shown that for the South Pacific region, there is no significant trend in cyclone frequency nor intensity.  
• Records of cyclones compiled by the NDMO indicate a gradual shift in the location of cyclones from Northern parts of the country (i.e. North of the capital city of Honiara) towards the South-eastern parts of the country. This is consistent with the modelled and observed southerly drift of sea-surface temperatures in excess of 27˚C. Cyclones in the early 1900’s to the 1950’s caused destructive winds and damages to sites at Ontong Java atoll, the northernmost part of the country.  

Figure 2.2.5: Number of Tropical Cyclones passing within 400km of Honiara. 11-year moving average in purple. Source: PCCSP Project. 

2.2.6 DROUGHT

Solomon Islands is vulnerable to droughts and many parts of the country have been affected many times over the past years. Droughts are usually associated with the El Nino phenomenon. The 1997/98 El Nino caused severe drought in many parts of the country. 

2.2.7 SEA LEVEL RISE

Honiara tide gauge (1994 – 2009) shows an increase of ≈7.7 mm/yr while Satellite data shows an increase of 8mm/yr since 1993. The global average rise is 2.8-3.6mm/yr. From records obtained so far the rate in sea level rise for Honiara is higher than the global average. 

Figure 2.2.7Map of region showing net relative sea level trends (in mm/year) after subtracting the effects of the vertical movement of the platform and the inverse barometer pressure effect. Utilizing all the data collected since the start of the project up to the end of December 2009. 

2.3            FUTURE CLIMATE OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

A recent report by the Pacific Climate Change Science Programme (PCCSP) funded by the Australian Government has analysed up to 24 different global models of future climate based on three IPCC scenarios: Low (B1), Medium (A1B) and High (A2). The scenarios are linked to trends in global green house gas emissions and potential global mitigation actions. 

2.3.1 SEA LEVEL

Source: PCCSP Project

 Source: PCCSP Project

2.3.2 RAINFALL

 Source:Solomon Islands Meteorological Services 

2.3.3 TROPICAL CYCLONES

Source: NDMO                                                                                    Source: PCCSP Project 

2.3.4 SUMMARY OF THE PREDICTED FUTURECLIMATE OF SOLOMONISLANDS

Source: SPCCSP Project. 

2.4            VULNERABLE,DISASTER RISK CONTEXT AND RESPONSEMEASURES

The first formal description of Solomon Islands vulnerability to climate change was presented in the country’s Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC in 2004. The report recognized the limited understanding on the vulnerability of the country to climate change and sea level rise and the need to put in place ‘suitable plans, policies and measures’. Priority vulnerable areas identified included; 1) Subsistence and commercial agriculture, 2) Human health, 4) Coastal environments and systems, 4) Water resources, 5) Marine resources 

In 2008 Solomon Islands developed a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) with funding assistance from the GEF and UNDP. The NAPA presents Solomon Islands immediate and urgent adaptation needs based on rapid V&A assessment in selected parts of the country. The NAPA describes and prioritizes the country’s vulnerable sectors together with project profiles. The main vulnerable sectors include: 1) Agriculture and food security, 2) Water supply and sanitation, 3) Human health, 4) Human settlements, 5) Fisheries and marine resources, 6) Coastal Protection, 7) Infrastructure, 8) Waste management, and; 9) Tourism. 

Building on the NAPA, the Solomon Islands Second National Communication (SNC) to the UNFCCC has summarised a range of vulnerable locations in the country based on their level of exposure, sensitivity and limited coping capacity of people. On-going scientific and socioeconomic assessments are needed to identify and determine the level of vulnerability of communities, infrastructure and geographic areas in the country to guide future adaptation actions.  

Disaster risk assessments have also been undertaken at the macro and community level scales in the country and provide very useful information on historic disaster events that can guide adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures. These include studies undertaken for Solomon Islands by the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative and past disaster management reports and disaster risk assessments by the NDMO. 

3.0 POLICY RATIONALE

In its efforts to pursue social and economic development objectives the people and government of Solomon Islands have been relying heavily on the nation’s natural resources base and the support from development partners. Additionally, and despite its limited capacity, the government has taken significant steps in the past ten years to begin implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation actions including the development of the National Adaptation Program of Action, National Disaster Management Strategy, Renewable Energy Framework and establishing a government agency to oversee climate change. Civil society organizations are building capacity to support communities adapt to climate change and the private sector has made steady progress with renewable energy technologies. 

The government recognizes that climate change is a sustainable development issue that brings challenges as well as opportunities. Achieving the optimum level of economic growth to support the rapidly growing population will require a scaling up of economic activities and utilization of natural capital that will also give rise to increasing environmental impacts and emissions of green house gases in the future. Climate change will also threaten the successful implementation and achievement of Solomon Islands National Development Strategy into the future and place added burden on government resources.  

The global community recognizes that an important solution to climate change is the protection and sustainable management of forests. In Solomon Islands annual timber extraction rates are currently significantly higher than established sustainable levels and it is predicted that merchantable forest areas will be depleted within the next five years. Unsustainable management of forests increases the vulnerability of people, biodiversity and the economy and contributes to global warming. The country’s low human development and low per capita income highlights the country’s high level of social vulnerability which will be exacerbated by climate change.  

Building on the progress to date and recognizing the need to enhance adaptive capacity while pursuing a low carbon development pathway, this policy provides a national strategic framework for the country to address the challenges and benefit from the opportunities that climate change brings. The policy links government, civil society and development partners in a strategic and coordinated approach to addressing climate change.  It seeks to find a balance between socio-economic development and sustainable utilization of natural resources as a climate change adaptation and mitigation measure. The policy is framed to take advantage of the dual benefits of adaptation through mitigation and to position the country to benefit from the growing range of global innovative financing opportunities such as the Adaptation Fund,  the Green Climate Fund, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Further information on these financing opportunities is provided in the Annex 1. 

4.0 POLICY CONTEXT AND LINKAGES 

The Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy is guided by and linked to a framework of national, regional and international policies and strategies. It aligns with the NDS, complements with other national policies and strategies and is an expression of the country’s commitment to international and regional multi-lateral environment agreements (MEA) to which the country is formally committed to.  

On the international front Solomon Islands is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)and its Kyoto Protocolwhich together make up the core of the international policy response to climate change. Solomon Islands is also a signatory to the Hyogo Framework on Disaster Risk Managementand has been involved in the  European Union- Global Climate Change Alliance programmes . The country continues to benefit from funding by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which is the financing mechanism for the UNFCCC made available through Implementing Agencies such as the UNDP, UNEP, FAO and World Bank. 

Within the Pacific regional level, Solomon Islands is a signatory to the ^[1]Pacific Plan, Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC)and the Regional Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Managementthat have established climate change and disaster risk management related objectives and actions. Partnerships continue to be developed with a number of international and regional inter-governmental organizations, some of which have specific mandates to assist their member countries address climate change, disaster risk management and related development issues.  

At the national level the government’s overarching development planning framework is the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy: 2011-2020 (NDS).The NDS includes a range of Focus Areas and Objectives, Policies and Strategies that together can contribute to enhance adaptation, disaster risk management and mitigation capacity in Solomon Islands.  A summary of the NDS Focus Areas and Objectives is presented in Annex 7.  

Amongst the Strategy’s various themes and objectives, Theme 7 is targeted at ‘Creating and Maintaining the Enabling Environment’. Under this theme are two objectives including; 

Objective 7: Effectively Respond to Climate Change and Manage the Environment and Risks of Natural Disasters. 

Objective 8: Improve Governance and Order at National, Provincial and Community Levels and Strengthen Links at all levels. 

Under each of the above objectives are a range of policies and strategies which are also reflected in this climate change policy.

Solomon Islands has an armoury of national legislations and regulations together with a range of policies to support development planning and implementation. Many of the legislations and regulations still need to be effectively enforced through strengthened capacity of the government. 

5.0 POLICY VISION,MISSION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVE 

5.1      VISION

A resilient, secure and sustainable Solomon Islands responding to climate change. 

5.2      MISSION STATEMENT

To enhance adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation capacity throughout the Solomon Islands that contributes to increased resilience and achievement of sustainable development goals. 

5.3      OBJECTIVE

The objective of this Climate Change policy is to provide a guiding framework to;  

i)Integrate climate considerations and support the implementation and achievement of Solomon Islands National Development Strategy and other regional and international  policies and frameworks ii) To guide the government and its partners efforts in ensuring that; 

• The people, natural environment and economy of the country are resilient and able to adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change;  

• The country benefits from clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency and mitigation technologies that improves people’s livelihoods and the national economy, is environmentally sustainable and contributes to global efforts to reduce GHG emissions and global warming.   

6.0 BROAD POLICY COMMITMENTS 

The government of Solomon Islands: 

i)      Recognizes the authoritative scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in relation to the causes and predicted effects of climate change, and its guidance on adaptation and mitigation measures to be taken by countries, regions and the global community. 

ii)    Shall address and mainstream climate change as an integral part of its national sustainable development strategy and programs. 

iii)   Recognizes the key significance and applicability of local evidence based scientific monitoring. Accordingly the government will carry out its own instrumental and climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments, risk assessments and weather recordings and recognizes already that the people, natural environment and economy of Solomon Islands are very vulnerable to climate variability and the predicted impacts of climate change. 

iv)   Shall develop the capacity of its people, institutions and communities to reduce climate change disaster risks and adapt to the effects of climate change and shall implement measures to contribute to global efforts in mitigating the causes of climate change.  

v)    Maintains its commitments as a Party to the UNFCCC, the successor instrument to the Kyoto Protocol, the Hyogo Framework on Risk Management, the PIFACC and other international and regional sustainable development and environmental agreements and targets. 

vi)   Shall forge and maintain partnerships and seek the support of its development partners through programs, projects, budget support mechanisms and innovative financing mechanisms for the implementation of this national Climate Change Policy.  

7.0 POLICY GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

The Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy shall be guided by the following principles: 

1.1Alignment with and guidance from the Solomon Islands national constitution. This policy framework and its implementation modalities shall be guided by the constitution of the independent state of Solomon Islands.  

1.2         Stakeholder participation and collaboration 

Solomon Islanders across all levels cannot be spectators in the on-going efforts to address climate change. National, provincial and community mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs and activities shall promote and ensure the active participation of all. 

1.3      Holistic and multi-disciplinary approach  

Climate change impacts will be multi-dimensional therefore the planning and implementation of this policy shall be holistic and multi-disciplinary with special recognition to the important role of science and traditional knowledge.  

1.4      Precautionary principle and no regrets approach 

Given the limited certainty surrounding the predicted extent and dimensions of climate change impacts at the national, provincial and community levels for Solomon Islands, the precautionary principle and no regrets approach will be used in planning and implementing this policy.   

1.5      Respect for culture and rights of indigenous people 

Climate change will impact on natural resource utilization and people’s livelihoods. The culture and rights of indigenous communities shall be respected throughout the planning and implementation of climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs and activities.  

1.6Gender equity and involvement of youth, children and people with special needs. Climate change impacts will affect everyone in Solomon Islands and the future generations.  The implementation of this policy shall ensure gender equity, and the involvement of men, women, youth, children and people with special needs. 

1.7      Mainstreaming and integration 

Climate change will impact all sectors and levels of society, governance frameworks, the natural environment and non-living resources. It is everyone’s business and shall be addressed in an integrated and holistic manner.   

1.8           Integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction 

Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are closely inter-related and shall be aligned. 

1.9 Science and evidence based adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation Climate change policy and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation measurers will be based upon, as far as practicable, both international climate change research and evidence based local scientific measurements and observations. 

8.0 POLICY OUTCOMES, DIRECTIVES AND STRATEGIES 

8.1      ENABLINGENVIRONMENT AND INSTITUTIONALARRANGEMENTS

Climate change will affect all development sectors of the country. This requires an effective institutional arrangement and enabling environment in place to address it as an integrated and cross-cutting development issue. The enabling environment includes having in place policies, strategies and networking, while an institutional arrangement includes having a dedicated government lead agency and coordination mechanism to guide and coordinate strategies and actions to address climate change at the national as well as provincial and community levels. 

8.1.1POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES               

1)Solomon shall have in place an effective enabling environment and institutional arrangement to plan, implement and coordinate an integrated and multistakeholder participatory approach to addressing climate change. To ensure this is achieved, the Government shall: 

a)    Strengthen capacity of the Climate Change Division as the government lead agency overseeing climate change to lead, guide and coordinate national programs and actions addressing climate change, and coordinate preparations and participation in international climate change negotiations.  

b)    Draft and enact national climate change legislation to give legal mandate to the government lead agency responsible for climate change and its associated coordinating and implementation bodies and that shall also include provisions for mandatory assessments and reporting for purposes of planning, implementing and evaluating climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.  

c)     Establish a National Climate Change Council to oversee the implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of national climate change policies and strategies.  

d)    Establish a Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) to provide inter-agency and inter-stakeholder coordination for the implementation of the policy. The Membership, scope and role of the CCWG is presented in Annex 5.

e)    Strengthen capacity of the government lead agency overseeing climate change to be the Secretariat of the National Climate Change Council.  

f)     Enhance the role and capacity of the Environment and Conservation Standing Committee of Parliament to include oversight over Climate Change.  

g)    Develop national and provincial level climate change policies and strategies that is in line with the NDS and other national sector policies and National Disaster Management Framework.  

h)    Establish national Thematic Working Groups (TWG) to provide technical and strategic support and advice to the lead agency and National Climate Change Council on climate change issues. The working groups shall oversee the following climate change thematic areas; 

• Vulnerability, disaster risk reduction and adaptation; 
• Mitigation & Green house gas inventory; 
• Research,  Systematic Observation and Technology Transfer; and 
• Education, awareness and capacity building. 

The membership, broad scope and role of the Thematic Working Groups and linkage to the lead agency and National Climate Change Council is presented in Annex 6to this Policy document. 

i)      Establish formal climate change coordination arrangements within Provincial Governments using existing or new coordinating bodies. 

j)      Designate officials as Climate Change Focal Points within national and provincial government Ministries and Departments as well as national institutions and civil society organizations 

k)    Establish community-based or village-based climate change coordination arrangements using existing or new coordinating bodies. 

Figure 8.1.1A                    Institutional Arrangement for implementation of the Climate Change Policy= 

8.2      MAINSTREAMING OF CLIMATECHANGE

‘Mainstreaming’ is a process rather than a goal and consists in bringing what can be seen as marginal into the core business and main decision-making process of an organization or institution. Mainstreaming can take place at various levels including laws, strategies, policies and operations. The cross-cutting nature of climate change threats and impacts requires that it be integrated into all development sectors and organizations. 

8.2.1POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

2)Climate change shall be mainstreamed into all development sectors and integrated into the work of government agencies, national institutions, civil society and private sector. To achieve this, the government shall: 

a)            Support organizations and institutions build capacity for mainstreaming climate change. 

b)            Review and revise existing relevant legislations and regulations to support climate change adaptation and mitigation. 

c)             Review national and provincial government policies & strategies and integrate climate change considerations.  

d)            Integrate climate change considerations into the planning and budgeting processes of national and provincial governments.  

e)            Mainstream climate change considerations in country partnership arrangements with regional agencies, international agencies  and donors  

f)             Ensure that the National Development Strategy and other national sector strategies are fully climate compatible within their stated time frames. 

8.3     VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION(V&A)AND DISASTERRISKREDUCTION(DRR)

Vulnerability to climate change is a function of a systems’ exposure to climate hazards, sensitivity and coping capacity.  The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (2007) predicts that Least Developed Countries such as Solomon Islands will be amongst the most vulnerable to the predicted impacts of climate change. Observations by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) indicate that sea level is rising at 7mmper year or about twice the global mean value, temperature is increasing at an average rate of 0.14˚C per decade and more intense rainfall and extreme events are already being experienced as predicted by regional and international scientific bodies through various climate models.  

Communities are already experiencing the effects of climate variability and the onset of climate change. The scattered archipelago of Solomon Islands places islands and their inhabitants at varying degrees of exposure to extreme events and their sensitivity and coping capacity are relative to the level of natural resource endowments, socio-economic situation, extent of reliance on biodiversity and other factors. Human activities can also exacerbate their vulnerability to climate change. It has also been recognized that good mitigation actions can contribute to enhancing adaptation. 

Solomon Islands has developed a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to address its urgent adaptation needs following a rapid vulnerability assessment of its development sectors. The NAPA has established a baseline of vulnerability situations and priority vulnerable sectors that will need to be reviewed from time to time as vulnerability assessments become better informed through the use of scientific and socio-economic tools and when data is more readily available.  

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies and actions contribute to reducing vulnerability. A nation, community or system is likely to be less vulnerable and more adaptive if it reduces its risks to disasters such as extreme events. On the other hand, the greater the risk from disasters the greater the vulnerability. The close relationship between the DRR and CCA agendas requires good coordination and integration to minimize duplication and maximize synergies.  

Solomon Islanders have coped with climate variability and extreme events since time immemorial. Traditional knowledge developed and refined over the years has been a feature of Solomon Islanders resilience and coping capacity but is now eroding due to increasing reliance on modern technology and practices. Reviving and promoting traditional coping strategies and technologies is an essential part of adaptation. 

8.3.1POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

3)The Government of Solomon Islands considers it vital and urgent to develop the capacity of the country to assess risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate variability and change and to reduce climate change risks and adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change. This includes short term disaster risk reduction measures for climate variability and episodic extreme events, and long term adaptation to climate change including, inter-alia, enhancing ecosystem and social resilience, climate proofing infrastructure and relocating communities as a last resort. To minimize vulnerability and risks and enhance adaptation capacity the government shall: 

a)Address the NAPA priority sectors and implement the range of projects and actions as Solomon Islands urgent adaptation needs. In order of priority, these include;  

i)      “increase the resilience of food production and enhance food security to the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise.” 

ii)    increase the resilience of water resources management to impacts of climate change and sea-level rise 

iii)   improve the capacity for managing impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on human settlements 

iv)   increase the capacity of health professionals to address adverse impacts of climate on human health 

v)    promote      climate                   change education,           awareness           and         information dissemination 

vi)   facilitate adequate adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise in low lying and artificially built-up islands in Malaita and Temotu provinces. 

vii)better manage impacts of climate change on waste management viii)increase the resilience and enhance adaptive capacity of coastal communities, socio-economic activities and infrastructure 

ix)   improve the understanding of the effects of climate change and climate variability including El Nino-Southern Oscillation on the inshore and tuna fishery resources 

x)    climate proofing of key infrastructure to risks including sea-level rise. 

xi)   integrate climate change adaptation strategies and measures into tourism planning and development. 

b)            Review and revise the NAPA and MECDM Strategic Plan and develop a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to address climate change over the short, medium and long term. The NAP shall address long term adaptation to climate change and short term disaster risk reduction in relation to climate variability. 

c)             Develop a Joint National Action Plan (JNAP) for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and other hazards, ensuring an integrated and coordinated manner at national, provincial and community levels.  

d)            Strengthen the capacity and partnerships of national and provincial government agencies, national institutions, NGOs, churches and all Solomon Island communities to undertake vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) assessments for different sectors and geographic areas. 

e)            Expand the national census portfolio and integrate questions to obtain data on extreme events, vulnerability and adaptation. Collaborate with and utilise data from other relevant sources to address features of risk. 

f)             Provide support to ministries, provincial governments and civil society organizations, including faith-based and private sector organisations, to review and revise their corporate plans, sector programs and strategies to include measures to assess vulnerability of sectors and identify and implement adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies and actions 

g)            Develop a coordinated and geo-referenced national information system covering livelihood assets – natural, human, financial, social and physical capital – that can be used to identify sensitivities to climate change, adaptive capacity, and key strategies covering vulnerable groups, natural resources and environmental management and disaster risk reduction and management. 

h)            Build capacity, plan and implement ecosystem-based vulnerability assessments and adaptation programs and actions including, inter-alia, implementation of the protected areas legislation and regulations, low-impact logging strategies, marine ecosystem management. 

i)              Undertake risk reduction and vulnerability assessments of urban settlements in Honiara, other urban centres, and sites of national economic priority. Plan and implement adaptation actions.  

j)              Undertake risk reduction and vulnerability assessments of rural communities  and implement adaptation actions targeting prioritized vulnerable communities.  

k)            Strengthen capacity to integrate climate change considerations into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and revise the Environment Act to integrate climate change. 

l)              Undertake gender analysis and integrate gender considerations as part of vulnerability and disaster risk assessments as well as adaptation actions. Inclusive participation of women and youth should be actively encouraged at all levels in order to build the capacity of vulnerable groups. 

m)           Develop a relocation guideline and assessment tools, build capacity and implement relocation of communities as an adaptation action where and when necessary.  

n)            Strengthen capacity of Solomon Islands Meteorological Services and National Disaster Management Office to provide appropriate field instrumentation and early warning systems with special focus on regions in the country more vulnerable to extreme events. 

• o)            Promote and implement community based programs and actions within a cooperative framework to strengthen social capital, skills and resilience as an adaptation strategy.  

8.4      MITIGATION 

High levels of GHG emitted into the atmosphere mainly by developed countries and some large developing countries is the main cause of global warming and climate change. During international negotiations over the past years Solomon Islands has joined other LDCs, SIDS and the AOSIS to urge developed (Annex 1) countries to commit to establishing GHG emission targets, limit CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere to 350ppm from the current 380ppm  and to limit atmospheric temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. The Solomon Islands National Communications to the UNFCCC has established that the energy, forestry (logging) and waste management sectors produce the most GHG emissions in the country. According to many scientists it is possible to decrease the level to 350ppm. This can be achieved by not using coal as fuel, protect and plant more areas of forests, shift to a low emission agriculture practice, improve waste management to reduce emissions and increase significantly the use of renewable energy.  

8.4.1 POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

4)Solomon Islands  government will continue to exhort Annex-1 countries to reduce their GHG emissions. On its part the government is committed to carrying out its own inventory of emissions and pursue nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) to reduce its own GHG emissions through use of renewable energy and other mitigation technologies that brings benefits to the country’s economy, environment and improves the livelihoods of its people. To achieve this the government shall: 

a)            Build capacity of Government, private sector and other relevant institutions to undertake regular inventory of GHG emissions and sinks (removals), monitor emissions and removals, establish the national carbon balance and prioritize emission reduction strategies and actions. 

b)            Develop a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) strategy at National, Provincial and Honiara City Council and other urban areas that can contribute to the achievement of a Low Carbon Development. The NAMA will include clear measurable targets and include the following sectors and themes: 

i)              Renewable energy and energy efficiency  

ii)            Reducing emissions from the forest sector through sustainable forest management, CDM projects, REDD+ projects and voluntary carbon trading mechanisms.  

ii)            Low emission agriculture including promotion of organic and low tillage agriculture 

iii)           Reducing emissions from the waste sector 

c)             Strengthen capacity of Government, private sector and other relevant institutions for the implementation of the national Renewable Energy Policy Framework, and develop and implement renewable energy strategies for Honiara city and Provinces, with measurable targets. 

d)            Strengthen capacity of the Climate Change lead agency as the Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and regulatory body for carbon trade, to raise awareness about CDM and its benefits to the country and build capacity of national stakeholders to design and implement CDM projects. 

e)            Establish and strengthen governance and capacity for carbon trade through CDM, REDD+ and Voluntary Carbon Trading including establishment of carbon trading legislation. 

f)             Ensure resource owners maximize benefits from carbon trading arrangements by immediately raising awareness on carbon trade in the forest sector and establish procedures for assessing investors and carbon trading arrangements between investors and communities as an interim measure, prior to the enactment of carbon trading legislation and regulatory framework. 

g)            Strengthen capacity of Ministry of Forest and Research  to support forest resource owners implement sustainable forest management and forest carbon assessments for effective monitoring, reporting and verification under carbon trading regimes. 

 Strengthen capacity of Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Eclectrification and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to support resource owners implement carbon assessments and carbon trading through agriculture mitigation and renewable energy programs. 

h)            Integrate gender analysis and gender considerations in planning and implementation of mitigation actions.  

8.5      RESEARCH AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION 

Systematic observation refers to having a systematic approach to measuring and analysing changes in weather, climate, water cycles, biological systems and ocean systems. The Solomon Islands Government needs to strengthen the capacity of national agencies and partners to systematically observe changes in weather, hydrological and ocean systems over time and to use information and technology provided by developed countries to plan risk reduction and adaptation actions. 

Science and social science can provide tools for understanding climate change and how it can affect natural systems and ultimately societies and economies. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is clear and united in its determination that the change in the earth’s atmosphere due to increasing emissions of green house gases caused by human activities is causing global warming and disruptions to the earth’s natural systems. This is affecting ecosystems, biodiversity and human life. Science and traditional knowledge have an important role in raising society’s understanding of climate change.  

Worldwide systematic observation of the climate system is a key prerequisite for advancing scientific knowledge on climate change. The UNFCCC calls on Parties to promote and cooperate in systematic observation of the climate system, including through support to existing international programmes and networks. The Solomon Islands Government has been cooperating in the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), programs of the World 

Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other agencies’ participating in WMO’s climate agenda.  

8.5.1 POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

5)The government shall work together with national stakeholders and development partners to ensure that there is a better understanding of climate change at all levels and sections of society for the effective planning and implementation of appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. To ensure this is achieved the government shall:- 

a)            Strengthen the capacity of national meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic services and their inter-relationships. Strengthen national institutions to undertake climate change research and systematic observation and provide up to date information to the public. 

b)            Strengthen capacity of government, NGOs and institutions to undertake research into climate change issues including monitoring and continued assessments for floods, droughts and other extreme weather events. 

c)             Review national research legislation, regulations and administrative mechanisms governing the undertaking of research thereby ensuring research on climate change meets established selection criteria, and is relevant to the Solomon Islands. 

d)            Promote and support the documentation and use of indigenous knowledge and scientific investigations and encourage their application in enhancing the resilience of people and ecosystems to climate variability and climate change. 

e)            Encourage and create an enabling environment for the private sector to participate in advancing climate change information gathering, distribution and application in the Solomon Islands including the hosting of forums and technical workshops. 

f)             Empower rural communities, schools and rural-based institutions through participatory training to acquire skills to conduct simple and appropriate methods of collecting and managing localised climate data and information. 

g)            Strengthen capacity of government agencies (e.g. MAL, SICHE), NGOs, and private sector (e.g. food industry) to undertake research, with appropriate infrastructure, into approaches that underpin key climate change issues that adversely impact on food security and ecosystem services . 

h)            Establish infrastructure to support climate change research including; Rainfall run-off relationship, Physiographic and intensity trends, Carbon assessments Flood risk trends, Soil analysis, Coastal erosion and sea level rise, Upward migration of bio-zones and ecological refugia, Preservation of genetic diversity, Coral bleaching and aquatic ecosystem stability 

i)              Develop spatial information systems for vegetation mapping at the national level 

8.6      TECHNOLOGYTRANSFER 

In the context of climate change, “technology transfer” refers to how technologies that reduce green house gas emissions and aid climate change adaptation efforts are developed and shared  across and within borders. Least developed countries such as the Solomon Islands will need more than finance to address climate change. The country will need new technology for mitigation (emission reductions) such as wind power, and new technologies for adaptation, such as flood control techniques and drought resistant varieties of food crops. Because technology transfer will facilitate global emissions reductions and adaptation it is considered key to reaching a global agreement.  

8.6.1 POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

6)The government recognizes the importance of technology transfer to enhance the country’s capacity to carry out adaptation and mitigation actions. Technology transferred for use in Solomon Islands should be proven and adaptable, environmentally friendly, appropriate to user, culturally friendly, and can be managed on a sustainable basis. To this end the government shall ensure that Solomon Islands is effectively making use of and benefiting from technology transfer by: 

a)    Assess, evaluate and/or review appropriate technology needs and identify strategies to promote and use available technologies to support adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation 

b)    Support capacity development of appropriate agencies, institutions and the private sector by establishing a mechanism to assess the quality of introduced technology to ensure they do not impact negatively in the short and long term on the environment, people and economy. 

c)     Supporting the capacity of national institutions and the private sector to undertake research in technology development  

d)    Establish and provide economic incentives to the private sector to promote use of technologies that address climate change. 

8.7      EDUCATION,AWARENESS AND CAPACITYBUILDING 

Education, awareness and capacity building are essential components of minimizing risks and vulnerabilities and adapting to climate change.  Capacity building actions can take place at the systemic (enabling environment), institutional and individual levels and should have the ownership of target beneficiaries to ensure effective implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions.  

8.7.1POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

7)The government shall work together with stakeholders and development partners to strengthen the capacity of national, provincial and community organizations and human resources for the effective planning and implementation of appropriate climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation actions. Accordingly, the government shall: 

a)            Support agencies and partners to develop and implement climate change communication strategies to ensure that clear messages about climate change are produced and disseminated. 

b)            Integrate climate change into the national primary, secondary and tertiary as well as non-formal curricula. 

c)             Assess capacity needs from time to time and identify and prioritize human resources development needs and train specialized experts through targeted scholarships and training activities. 

d)            Design and deliver training packages aimed at raising people’s understanding of climate change and enhance knowledge and skills to plan and implement adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation actions. 

e)            Strengthen data and information management systems and protocols to enable effective dissemination and sharing of information. 

8.8      FINANCE AND RESOURCEMOBILIZATION 

It has been predicted that LDC’s such as Solomon Islands will be amongst the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change and that the costs of addressing climate change may be as high as 5% of GDP (Stern Report date?). Efforts to begin addressing climate change is already impacting on the limited capacity of the Solomon Islands government and partners, placing extra load on limited human resources and creating additional cost burdens. The government will not be able to deploy more resources to provinces and rural locations given the very limited growth, if any, in allocation to government ministries and subventions to the provincial governments.  

Solomon Islands has joined other LDC and developing countries in calling for more financial support from developed countries for adaptation programs and projects. As the financing mechanism of the UNFCCC, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been providing a range of grant funding modalities to Solomon Islands over the past years, while to date a number of donors and regional organizations including the UNDP, ADB, EU, AusAID, SPREP and SPC have also begun supporting climate change projects in the country through various sectors. 

8.8.1 POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

8)The government will ensure that technical assistance and financial resources to support climate change programs and projects in the country is mobilized, managed and accounted for in an efficient, participatory, and transparent manner. To achieve this, the government shall:- 

a)    Make provision in its national and provincial development and recurrent budget to implement corporate plans, programs and projects that address climate change. 

b)    Strengthen coordination with donor partners to effectively mobilize financial resources to support implementation of the NDS, this climate change policy and other related national and provincial level through the MDPAC Donors Aid Coordination mechanisms. 

c)     Strengthen coordination and consultation between government Ministries and Provincial governments to ensure that climate change funding via the government or NGOs support the implementation of this policy and includes provincial government, Honiara City Council and community representatives in the project cycle stages, and also ensuring that the requirements of the MDPAC are met. 

d)    Strengthen capacity within MECDM, with the support of MDPAC, to coordinate and monitor performance of climate change programmes and projects and their effectiveness in supporting the implementation and achievement of national and provincial adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies. 

e)    Build capacity and develop a long term programmatic approach for implementing adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies. 

f)     Provide training and build capacity in climate change funding and project cycle managementto all stakeholders , in line with government and donor requirements.

g)    Establish transparent process for financial and technical assistance resources allocation and utilization 

8.9      PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION 

Partnership and cooperation is essential for addressing the cross-cutting and cross-border impacts of climate change. The UNFCCC, Hyogo Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Management and other international and regional agreements place emphasis on cooperation and have developed a range of tools for sharing technology, experiences and lessons learnt. Partnerships and cooperation can be in various forms including through; regional projects, joint research activities, capacity building programs, joint observation programs etc. 

8.9.1 POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

9)The government shall develop and maintain strong partnerships and work cooperatively with its national partners, stakeholders, regional and international organizations and institutions and development partners to address climate change. This will be achieved by:- 

a)            Strengthening capacity and actively participating in international and regional negotiations. 

b)            Building and maintaining partnerships between national and provincial organizations and establish network of climate change learning communities. 

c)             Building and maintaining partnerships with regional and international intergovernmental, scientific and research organizations. 

d)            Disseminating information on partnership opportunities to the public. 

e)            Promote and implement partnership arrangements between Melanesian countries under the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) arrangement in the planning and implementation of sustainable forest management, forest protected areas and watersheds and REDD+ as an adaptation and mitigation strategy. 

f)             Promote and implement partnership arrangements with Pacific Island Forum Member Countries to address climate change within the framework of the Pacific Plan, Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change, Pacific Disaster Risk Management and other regional sector based strategies and Action Plans.  

g)            Convening a National Climate Change Roundtable every three years to bring partners together to monitor progress in addressing climate change and disaster risk reduction. The Climate Change Roundtable will coincide with the three year cycle of the State of  Environment Reporting process. 

8.10 MONITORING AND EVALUATION  

It is essential that the implementation of the climate change policy is monitored and evaluated to gauge progress as well as to make necessary adjustments in line with national needs, and global climate change and disaster risk management agendas that Solomon Islands will be committed to. Monitoring shall take place at various levels and across all development sectors. 

Monitoring of this Climate Change Policy will be done annually at various levels: 

i)      Political level by the Parliamentary Standing Committee  

ii)    Policy level by the National Climate Change Council and Provincial Climate Change Coordination bodies. iii)Programme and project level by the national lead agency for climate change and the Climate Change Working Group. 

8.10.1POLICY DIRECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

10)The government shall establish a mechanism to monitor the implementation of this climate change policy. To ensure this is achieved, the government shall:- 

a)            Require all Government agencies, NGOs, churches, institutions and private sector organizations and communities implementing climate change related programs and projects are required to register with the national lead agency for climate change and provide annual reports for purposes of monitoring.  

b)            Strengthen the capacity of the lead agency for climate change to undertake the following monitoring and evaluation activities:

• Establish a database of all actors involved in climate change programs and projects and disseminate information on climate change programs and projects;  
• Produce and disseminate an annual report on progress in addressing climate change; 
• Communicate regularly with partners to obtain information on progress of implementation of the climate change policy and strategies; and 
• Develop the National Communications to the UNFCCC. 

c)             Support national and provincial government agencies, and civil society actors, strengthen capacity for monitoring the implementation of this policy through existing mechanisms such as sectoral committees, and national councils.  

d)            Evaluate the implementation of this policy after every five years to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation of strategies against the policy goal, objectives, directives and strategies. 

e)            Building on the reporting process of projects, assessments and surveys develop, and build capacity for a community feedback mechanism where experiences and lessons learnt at the community level feeds back into the policy implementation process. 

9.0 REFERENCE 

Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2005, Solomon Islands Country Environmental Analysis: Mainstreaming Environmental Considerations in Economic and Development Planning Processes. 

Australian Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, 2011. Climate Change in the Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research, Volume 1: Regional Overview. Volume 2: Country Reports. Pacific Climate Change Science Program. 

Brokovich E., Schwarz A., Oeta J. 2012. Brief review: Climate Change Trends and Projections for Solomon Islands. World Fish Center. 

CLIP Research Project (2007) Sustainable Resource Use or Imminent Collapse? Climate, Livelihood and Production in the Southwest Pacific (CLIP), Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Lane M. 2005, Coastal Governance in Solomon Islands: An evaluation of the strategic governance issues relating to coastal management, University of Adelaide, Australia. 

Lipsett-Moore, G., Hamilton,R., Peterson, N., Game, E,. Atu, W., Kereseka, J., Pita, J., Ramohia, P.,  Siota, C. (2010) Ridges to Reefs Conservation Plan for Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands. TNC Pacific Islands Countries Report No. 2/10. 

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology, 2010, Strategic and Corporate Plan 2010-2012. 

Richards, K. and Timmermann, A. 2008. Regional Climate Change Projections for Southwestern Pacific with a focus on Melanesia. In Leisz, S.J and Burnett, J.B. (eds). Climate Change and biodiversity in Melanesia. Bishop Museum Technical Report 42(1). 

Solomon Islands Government 2002, National Economic Recovery, Reform & Development Plan 2003-2006, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government 2004, Pacific Islands Renewable Energy Project, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government 2002, Solomon Islands Human Development Report Honiara Solomon Island. 

Solomon Islands Government National Parliament 1998, The Environment Act 1998 (No. 8 of 1998). 

South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 1993, Solomon Islands National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS). Apia, Western Samoa. 

Solomon Islands Government 2002, Solomon Islands initial National Communication for UNFCC, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government; Department of National Reform and Planning. October 2003, National Economic Recovery, Reform and Development Plan (NERRDP) 2003-2006: Strategic and Action Framework, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government, Office of the Prime Minister 2008, Solomon Islands CNURA Government National Policy Document, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government (2002) National Economic Recovery, Reform & Development Plan 2003-2006, Honiara Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands Government (2002) Solomon Islands Human Development Report 2002. (with technical assistance from UNDP). 

UNCCD, 2002. United Nations Convention To Combat Desertification In Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and / or Desertification, particularly in Africa, Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Germany. 

UNDP and SIG (u.d) Capacity Building For Sustainable Land Management in The Solomon Islands Honiara. 

UNDP. 2011. Human Development Report. New York. 

10.0 ANNEXES 

ANNEX 1:       GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Abatement:Refers to reducing the degree or intensity of greenhouse-gas emissions. 

Adaptation:Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. 

Adaptation Fund: The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.  The Adaptation Fund is financed from the share of proceeds on the clean development mechanismproject activities and other sources of funding.  

Afforestation:Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests. 

Anthropogenic greenhouse emissions:Greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from human activities. 

Biomass fuels or biofuels:A fuel produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. These fuels are considered renewable as long as the vegetation producing them is maintained or replanted, such as firewood, alcohol fermented from sugar, and combustible oils extracted from soy beans. Their use in place of fossil fuels cuts greenhouse gas emissions because the plants that are the fuel sources capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

Capacity building:In the context of climate change, the process of developing the technical skills and institutional capability in developing countries and economies in transition to enable them to address effectively the causes and results of climate change. 

Carbon market:A popular (but misleading) term for a trading system through which countries may buy or sell units of greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to meet their national limits on emissions, either under the Kyoto Protocol or under other agreements, such as that among member states of the European Union. The term comes from the fact that carbon dioxide is the predominant greenhouse gas, and other gases are measured in units called "carbon-dioxide equivalents."

Carbon sequestration:The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir. 

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries may finance greenhouse-gas emission reduction or removal projects in developing countries, and receive credits for doing so which they may apply towards meeting mandatory limits on their own emissions. 

Deforestation:Conversion of forest to non-forest. 

Designated National Authority (DNA):An office, ministry, or other official entity appointed by a Party to the Kyoto Protocol to review and give national approval to projects proposed under the Clean Development Mechanism. 

 Emissions trading:One of the three Kyoto mechanisms, by which an Annex I Party may transfer Kyoto Protocol units to, or acquire units from, another Annex I Party.  An Annex I Party must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in emissions trading. 

Green Climate Fund: Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change, at its sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16), in decision 1/CP.16established a Green Climate Fund (GCF)as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention under Article 11. The GCF will support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country Parties. The Fund will be governed by the GCF Board. 

Greenhouse gases (GHGs):The atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N20). Less prevalent --but very powerful -- greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Programme, the IPCC surveys world-wide scientific and technical literature and publishes assessment reports that are widely recognized as the most credible existing sources of information on climate change. The IPCC also works on methodologies and responds to specific requests from the Convention's subsidiary bodies. The IPCC is independent of the Convention. 

Kyoto Protocol:An international agreement standing on its own, and requiring separate ratification by governments, but linked to the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. 

Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF):A greenhouse gas inventory sector that covers emissions and removals of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities. 

Mitigation:In the context of climate change, a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial processes or electricity generation, switching to solar energy or wind power, improving the insulation of buildings, and expanding forests and other "sinks" to remove greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs):Documents prepared by least developed countries (LDCs) identifying urgent and immediate needs for adapting to climate change. 

National communication:A document submitted in accordance with the Convention (and the Protocol) by which a Party informs other Parties of activities undertaken to address climate change. Most developed countries have now submitted their fifth national communications; most developing countries have completed their first national communication and are in the process of preparing their second. 

"No-regrets options:"Technology for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions whose other benefits (in terms of efficiency or reduced energy costs) are so extensive that the investment is worth it for those reasons alone. For example, combined-cycle gas turbines -- in which the heat from the burning fuel drives steam turbines while the thermal expansion of the exhaust gases drives gas turbines -- may boost the efficiency of electricity generating plants by 70 per cent. 

Pacific Plan: The Pacific Plan was endorsed by Leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in October 2005. It is a ‘living’ document ensuring flexibility so that the Vision of the Leaders and the goal of regional integration extend far into the future. This revised version of the Pacific Plan follows decisions taken by Leaders at the Forum meeting in October 2007 where they welcomed the considerable progress made in implementing the Pacific Plan, noted the key challenges that need to be overcome in order for the Plan to continue to be effectively implemented, and agreed on a number of key commitments in order to move the Plan forward. The Goal of the Pacific Plan is to enhance and stimulate economic growth, sustainable  development, good governance and security for Pacific countries through regionalism. 

REDD:Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The IPCC (2007) estimated emissions from deforestation in the 1990s to be at 5.8 GtCO2/year.  It also noted that reducing and/or preventing deforestation and preventing the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere is the mitigation option with the largest and most immediate carbon stock impact in the short term per hectare and per year globally.   

Reforestation:Replanting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use. 

Research and systematic observation:An obligation of Parties to the Climate Change Convention; they are called upon to promote and cooperate in research and systematic observation of the climate system, and called upon to aid developing countries to do so. 

Sink:Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Forests and other vegetation are considered sinks because they remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Technology transfer:A broad set of processes covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment for mitigating and adapting to climate change among different stakeholders 

Vulnerability:The degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity. 

Glossary obtained from the UNFCCC 

http://unfccc.int/essential_background/glossary/items/3666.php

ANNEX 2:       OVERVIEW OF SOLOMONISLANDSNATIONALCONTEXT

2.1     Geography and environment 

Solomon Islands is located in the Pacific east of Papua New Guinea and comprises a scattered archipelago of 994 islands combining mountainous islands, as well as low lying coral atolls within a tuna-rich and potentially mineral-rich maritime Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of 1.34 million square kilometres. The land area of 28,000 square kilometres with 4,023 kilometres of coastline is the second largest in the Pacific after Papua New Guinea. The highest point in the country, Mt Makarakomburu is 2447m above sea level and is the highest peak in the insular Pacific. The six main islands of Choiseul, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, Guadacanal and Makira are characterized by a rugged and mountainous landscape of volcanic origin. Between and beyond the bigger islands are hundreds of smaller volcanic islands and low lying coral atolls. All the mountainous islands of volcanic origin are forested with an abundance of rivers and streams and many of the coastal areas are surrounded by fringing reefs and lagoons. The is located within the earthquake belt or ‘Ring of Fire’ and is extremely vulnerable to the effects and impacts of earthquakes and tsunamis. 

The country’s biodiversity is of global significance with its reefs containing one if the highest diversities of coral and fish found anywhere in the world placing the country in the coral triangle of the worlds most important marine biodiversity area. The country’s terrestrial biodiversity has been described as “globally outstanding” with its forests containing 4500 species of plants and recognized as one of the world’s great centres of plant diversity. In marine biodiversity a rapid marine assessment carried out by TNC in 2004 has recorded the second highest diversity if coral species in the world after Raja Ampat in Indonesia. Solomon Islands also boasts the biggest saltwater lagoon in the world (Marovo lagoon), the biggest raised coral island and fresh water lake in the insular Pacific (Rennell island) and the biggest uninhabited island in the Pacific (Tetepare island). 

2.2           Government and Governance 

Solomon Islands attained political independence from Great Britain in 1978, and has a parliamentary democracy with a fifty member legislature elected every four years and an Executive led by the Prime Minister. The Governor General represents the Queen of England as the Head of State. The country has yet to achieve a level of political maturity with formation of stable governments and there continues to be a high turnover of governments.  

The government is two-tiered comprising the national and nine provincial governments including the Honiara City Council that oversees the national capital. The reach of government services beyond the city has been relatively weak and in some places non-existent due to its limited capacity and inefficiencies. This, together with the call for greater political and economic autonomy, has given rise to a push by provincial government leaders for greater decentralization and has led to recent moves by the national government to begin developing a new Federal Constitution. If finally approved by the national parliament the new Federal Constitution will significantly alter the method and cost of governing and service delivery in the country; hopefully for the better.  

Governance at various levels and in various sectors has been described in a number of national reports as being poor with corruption becoming a growing problem. During 2011 Solomon Islands ranked 120 out of 182 globally (22 out of 35 in the Pacific) in terms of perceptions of corruption, weak transparency and poor accountability.  

A report by the International Waters Project on the state of integrated coastal zone governance in Solomon Islands by Professor Marcus Lane of the University of Adelaide (2005), highlighted the very weak state of governance of natural resource management in the country. Much of the descriptions still hold today and include, inter-alia; an institutional disconnect between the regulatory ambitions of national government and customary sovereignty of landowners, the limited ‘reach’ of national government in rural areas, the culturally and geographically diverse character of the region, difficulties in making government accessible and accountable to its citizens, the absence of effective regional (provincial) and central government’s limited ability to regulatethe natural resource decisions of customary landowners. Furthermore, the capacity of the village population to make coherent and considered decisions about the natural resources that they control is limited due to their inability to access advice (legal, financial, ecological) when making natural resource decisions coupled with the limited flow of information and other assistance from government to community. If not addressed effectively the state of poor governance of coastal zones in the country will seriously impede climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. 

2.3               Socio-economic context and projections 

The national population of 515,870 (Census, 2009) has an annual growth rate of 2.3% and growth rate in rural to urban migration is estimated at 4%. About 30% of the total population are below the age of fourteen. Solomon Islanders make up a diverse population of Melanesians (90%), Polynesians (5%) and Micronesians (5%). Ninety five different languages are spoken and about 80% of the population live in rural areas with around 75% of the total population living within 500 meters of mean sea level.  

The country’s Human Development Index (HDI), at 0.51, is one of the lowest in the Pacific and ranking 142 out of 177 countries. On the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a range of social indicators show that the country is likely to meet Goal 2 (Achieve universal primary education) and Goal 5 (Improve maternal health). Females still have less access than males to secondary and tertiary education while women have poor access to health and family planning services in the rural areas. Levels of violence against women is one of the highest in the world with two out of every three women interviewed in a national survey recorded as having experienced various forms of violence inflicted by their male relatives and/or partners. 

A more recent ADB report on the economy of Solomon Islands (ADB, 2010) attributes much of the improvements in the HDI to the significant overseas financial and technical assistance, with aid levels increasing from 22% of GDP in 1990 to 66% of GDP in 2005. An analysis of household income and expenditure data collected in 2005/06 shows that situations of hardship and poverty is rising with 11% of the population experiencing difficulties in acquiring basic needs. By 2008 GDP per capita was the second lowest in the Pacific as USD 1,180 (ADB Outlook, 2010). 

According to a recent report by the Asian Development Bank on the economy of the Solomon Islands (ADB, 2010), the well being of the bulk of the country’s population hardly improved since the country attained political independence in 1978. Real per capita income has declined as a result of historic population growth. Solomon Islands now has the second lowest average per capita income in the Pacific region (ADB, 2010). 

Much of the root causes of the economic decline can be attributed to poor management and governance of natural resources, weak political leadership and an ill-equipped public service. This deteriorating situation worsened during the period of 1998-2002 ethnic unrest when militants from two warring factions controlled most of the capital city of Honiara and the island of Guadacanal. About 20,000 people were displaced and up to 200 killed (UNDP 2004). The break down in law and order had a devastating effect on the economy resulting in GDP contracting by 45%. On the request of the national government a Pacific Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) was initiated, and led by the Australia to address law and order, facilitate reconciliation and strengthen the machinery of the government. 

A recent Discussion Note by the World Bank (Solomon Islands Growth Prospects, October 2010), recommends that it will be difficult for Solomon Islands to make the transition from an agriculture based economy to an industrial and services based economy as history has shown with most countries. According to the World Bank, this transition will be difficult to achieve due to the geographic scatter of islands and the weak governance and regulatory mechanisms currently in practice. It is predicted that future economic growth of Solomon Islands will be derived from four main areas including; 

• Improved productivity of the smallholder agriculture sector where more than 80% of the population can participate in. 
• Well managed and regulated natural resource industries that have positive and sustained multiplier effects 
• An internationally mobile workforce 
• Strengthening international partnerships to mobilize aid and enhance public administration, political accountability and stimulate private sector growth 

2.4             Energy demand and national GHG emissions 

Only about 20% of the Solomon Islands population has access to electricity. Almost all electricity generation is confined to Honiara and the provincial centres which are basically based on imported diesel fuel and supplied and regulated by Solomon Islands only power utility the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA). Outside of the urban centres only about 5% of the rural population has access to electricity through a small number of off-grid and individual household systems. In addition, in the rural areas where almost 85% of Solomon Islands population is, the use of biomass (fuel wood) for cooking and other activities is common. 

Preliminary findings on the GHG inventory assessments undertaken in the SNC during 2011 shows that emissions from managed forests and the energy sector together make up more than 95% of the key source categories of emissions in the Solomon Islands in 2007, and totalling 5,526 Gg CO2 eq. Next in the rankings are emissions from solid waste disposal sites and waste water and these are expected to increase in the coming years. Emissions from cropping land are yet to be assessed and it is anticipated that this sub-category will also be a significant contributor to the rising emissions in Solomon Islands. 

Solomon Islands has significant potential to increase utilization of renewable energy and reduce GHG emissions. The recent draft SNC to the UNFCCC has identified a range of renewable energy opportunities and estimated the amount of electricity generation and potential carbon dioxide levels to be reduced of renewable energy is to decrease the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. 

Table 2.4A Potential energy sources, amounts of electricity generated and carbon dioxide off-sets 

A Pacific Regional Energy Assessment in 2004 reported that; ‘’in principle, the Solomon Islands could reduce CO₂equivalent GHG emissions by 122 Gg per year within a decade and about 85% of current emissions or 39% of projected emissions by 2011/12. About 91% of GHG reductions are from renewable energy and 9% from energy efficiency measures. This indicative estimate is based on proven technologies and known resources but does not consider economic, financial, political, social, technical, environmental or other practical constraints”. Potential for geothermal energy exists in parts of the country but the sources are located far from demand centres. 

Minimizing the loss of carbon and carbon dioxide due to land use change and forestry activities is an urgent and crucial sustainable development and climate change issue for Solomon Islands. Annual volumes of logs removed from the forests for export continues to be well above the annual allowable sustainable cut of 300,00 cubic meters and is the biggest threat to the decline in terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem services. Land clearing for subsistence agriculture is the main form of deforestation and its extent is yet to be adequately quantified. Subsistence agriculture is the foundation of food security in the Solomon Islands, however, the rapidly growing population will require more intensive sustainable farming practices to be adopted. 

There is potential to minimize emissions from the waste sector, with methane capture and use, however, this may be a long way off to being realized given the poor state of waste management in the capital city and provincial townships. 

ANNEX 3:       SOLOMONISLANDSPROGRESS IN ADDRESSINGCLIMATECHANGE–CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

1994 Ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate change is overseen by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services. 

1998                        Signing of the Kyoto Protocol. 

2000 Participation in the first major regional climate change project in the Pacific, the Pacific Islands Climate Change Adaptation Project (PICCAP), executed by SPREP. 

2004                       Submission of the Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC. 

2005                       Endorsement of the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change: 2006 – 2015 (PIFACC). 

2006                       Endorsement of the Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management (2005-2015). 

2007                       Participation in the GEF-funded National Capacity Self Assessment project enabling the assessment of national capacity to address climate change. 

2008                       Establishment of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Meteorology (MECM) and creation of the Climate Change Division. 

                                    Development of the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA). 

2009                       Development of the National Disaster Risk Management Plan incorporating disaster risk reduction and including climate change. 

2010                       Transfer of the National Disaster Management Office from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the MECM, resulting in the name change of the Ministry to become the Ministry                  of            Environment,    Climate                  Change,                 Disaster                 Management                   and Meteorology. 

2011                       Cabinet endorsement of the Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. 

                   Funding secured from the Kyoto Protocol’s Global Adaptation Fund to enhance capacity to address climate change impacts on agriculture and food security. 

                                Completion of the draft Second National Communication to the UNFCCC. 

2012                        -                Completion of the draft Solomon Islands National Climate Change Policy. 

ANNEX 4:       TERMS OF REFERENCE–NATIONALCLIMATECHANGECOUNCIL

Solomon Islands Climate Change Council 

Terms of Reference 

Background 

Climate change is one of the most serious threats to sustainable development in Solomon Islands. It is only an environmental problem, but is also likely to have adverse consequences for the country’s food security, economic activity, human health, natural resources and physical infrastructure. Different levels of government, businesses, communities and individuals will need to work together to develop a response if Solomon islands is to minimize the causes and impacts of climate change on the people, economy and environment of Solomon Islands.  

Given the cross-cutting nature of climate change and the limited resources available to address the incremental costs of climate change action in Solomon Islands, it is important that there is good communication and coordination of climate change policy, strategy, programs and activities. 

Role and functions: 

The National Climate Change Council (NCCC) will be responsible for overseeing implementation of the climate change policy, strategies and projects. The Council shall: 

• Monitor and evaluate implementation of the climate change policy. 
• Review and assess the information and data for the development of national climate change policies and strategies. 
• Monitor, review and provide advice on revisions and updates to national adaptation strategies. 
• Coordinate Solomon Islands contribution to international climate change negotiations ensuring consistency, relevance and real benefits to Solomon Islands. 
• Assist the government lead agency for climate change in international climate change negotiations. 
• Promote and support integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures pertaining to climate related hazards and risks and contribute to the Hazards and Risk Reduction Committees of the National Disaster Council within the National Disaster Risk Management Plan coordination framework. 
• Provide advice and support the national climate change lead agency with coordination and planning for resource mobilization to support implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation programs in Solomon Islands. 
• Review and endorse project proposals intended to mobilize funds to implement the national climate change policy and strategies. 
• Review and endorse research work in the area of climate change to be carried out in Solomon Islands. 
• Facilitate and participate in the convening of Solomon Islands Government and donor roundtables intended to support climate change related work in Solomon Islands.
• Oversee development of national climate change and carbon trading legislation. 
• Promote sharing of information on current programs, policies and research related to climate change in Solomon Islands. 
• Promote and advise on mainstreaming of climate change issues into national policies and programs. 
• Ensure that in-country climate change programs and actions are consistent with national development strategies. 
• Receive and advise on reports from the Climate Change Thematic Working Groups and from projects. 
• Receive and advise on annual climate change progress reports prior to dissemination. 
• Report progress to Cabinet through the national lead agency for climate change. 

Membership 

• Permanent Secretaries of all Government Ministries 
• Representative from the Office of the Prime Minister 
• Attorney Generals Chambers 
• Central Bank 
• SICHE
• Representative from Private Sector 
• Representative from NGOs 
• Representative from SICA 
• Representative from Community based organizations 

Chairman 

• Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). 

Secretariat 

• To be provided by MECDM 

Meeting frequency and quorum 

• The National Climate Change Council shall meet at least twice a year, or as and when the need arises. 
• A quorum is formed when at least 50% of all members are present. 

ANNEX 5: NATIONALCLIMATE CHANGE WORKINGGROUP:MEMBERSHIP,SCOPE AND ROLE. 

ANNEX 6:       NATIONAL        CLIMATE      CHANGE       THEMATIC       WORKING       GROUPS:

MEMBERSHIP,SCOPE AND ROLE. 

Chair:  The inaugural chairperson of each Thematic Working Group is to be recommended by the climate change lead agency. The chairperson can be rotated as the Thematic Working Groups see fit. 

Meetings: The Thematic Working Groups will meet at least twice a year or as and when necessary. 

Secretariat:The government lead agency for climate change will provide the secretariat for the Thematic Working Groups. 

            Quorum:       A quorum of at least 5 individuals is required. 

Reporting:Where necessary the Thematic Working Groups shall report to the National Climate Change Country Team. 

ANNEX7:              NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTSTRATEGY(NDS)FOCUSAREAS AND 

OBJECTIVES. 

            Figure 7A:     Structure of the National Development Strategy 

Focus Area 1:To build better lives for all Solomon Islanders