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NATIONWIDE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY 2009

THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA

I. Policy Statement

The focus of this Policy is to mitigate climate change especially at the international level, and adaptation at the national, state and community levels to reduce the FSM's vulnerability to climate change adverse impacts. In this context, FSM reaffirms its social and cultural identity and its people's rights and desire to continue to live sustainably on their islands

II. Vision

FSM strives for global agreement on stabilization of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and nonGHG warmers at levels that would achieve the objective (Art. 2) of the climate convention (UNFCCC), and with a view to ultimately see the planet return to its preindustrial conditions. To that effect, FSM is committed to address the adverse impacts of climate change on communities to ensure sustainable livelihood and preserve natural heritage, diverse customs, traditions and natural resources in all the islands.

III. Goals

The main goals of this Policy are:

1. Mitigation

a. To advocate a post Kyoto carbon dioxide emission reduction that will keep temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2020 and beyond.

b. To urgently address the global reduction and/or destruction of GHGs and nonGHG warmers through "fast action" strategies.

c. To maintain and enhance FSM as a negative carbon country through effective management of our natural sinks, bio-sequestration (biochar), promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and other appropriate means.

d. To prioritize actions that address both mitigation and adaptation such as water development using renewable energy (solar water desalination) and other relevant actions.

e. To encourage and strengthen the application of traditional knowledge on transportation practices and other areas.

2. Adaptation

a. To require all development activities in FSM to take into account projected climatic changes in the design and implementation as stipulated in the FSM Strategic Development Plan/Infrastructure Development Plan (SOP/lOP).

b. To use eco-system based approaches where applicable.

c. To encourage and strengthen the application of traditional knowledge on conservation practices and other relevant areas.

d. To develop and implement appropriate strategies to improve food production and other relevant sectors.

3. Technology Transfer

a. To optimize the use of local technologies where available.

b. To identify technologies that are locally appropriate.

c. To enhance easy access to, and sustainable use of new technologies.

4. Finance

a. To maximize the use of local resources through establishment of sustainable financing mechanism to support adaptation, mitigation and resource management initiatives.

b. To increase local financial support from governments, private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to enhance capacities to respond to climate change challenges.

c. To insist that developed country Parties responsible for climate change, based on the polluters-pay principle (moral and equity), to provide sufficient and sustainable financial and other appropriate resources, to support adaptation, mitigation and other climate related measures now and in the future.

d. To negotiate that such assistance provided in item 4c above shall be in addition to existing and future Overseas Development Assistance (ODAs).

5. Capacity building and Training

a. To promote, facilitate and develop training programs focused on climate change for scientific, technical and managerial personnel.

b. To provide opportunities to access technical skills and knowledge to address and respond to climate change and its impacts.

6. Education and Public Awareness

a. Education

i. To develop and disseminate education materials on climate change and its effects.

ii. To develop and integrate climate change and its effect into intermediate, primary and secondary education curriculums.

b. Public Awareness

i. To promote, facilitate and implement public awareness programs on climate change and its effects at national, state and community levels by using relevant mediums , i.e. radio spots, newspaper, workshops etc.

ii. To provide public access to information on climate change and its effects.

iii. To promote public participation in addressing climate change and its effects by facilitating feedback, debate, partnership in activities and linking with other environment related events, i.e. National Environment Day, World Clean Up Day, National Women's Day, etc.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Mainstreaming:

The first step in the implementation of this Policy is to integrate climate change into ot her polices, strategies and action plans including disaster preparedness and mitigation. This will build upon what has been done in the SDP/IDP and will extend to other sectors as necessary. While different sectors are at different stages of development and/or updating, it is crucial that all relevant sectoral plans should complete the integration of climate change within one year after the effective date of this Policy.

2. Sectoral Action Plans:

It is vital that indicators, including actual and planned costs, are identified in the Action Plans to be used to gauge both our needs and progress toward meeting our policy goals for climate change. While the following sectors have been identified to integrate and therefore implement climate change actions, there may be others that are not included. Such sectors must perform the same regardless of their exclusion.

The identified offices for each sector are also the designated lead and responsible agency for that sector.

a. Environment (Office of Environment & Emergency Management (OEEM).

b. Energy (Department of Resources and Development (R&D).

c. Infrastructure (Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure).

d. Disaster Management (OEEM).

e. Water Resources (Dept. of Transportation, Communication & Transportation (DTC&I))

b. Transportation (DTC&I)

c. Agriculture/Forestry including Food Security (R&D)

d. Marine/Coastal Resources and Pelagic Fisheries (R&D & NORMA)

e. Health (Department of Health & Social Affairs (H&SA))

f. Education (Department of Education)

g. Tourism (R&D)

h. Gender (HS&A)

i. Weather Services (Office of the President)

V. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND UPDATING

1. Monitoring:

Each responsible department/office will monitor its progress toward attainment of goals in Sectoral Action Plans. The Office of Environment will consolidate all monitoring reports.

2. Evaluation:

This Policy will be evaluated every year or sooner if necessary. The Office of Environment and Emergency Management is responsible for performing the evaluation with assistance from all sectors.

3. Updating:

This Policy will be updated after completion of evaluation or sooner if necessary.

VI. SUPPORT

To successfully attain the goals of this Policy requires the committed and sustainable support of all levels of governments in the FSM, the civil societies, individuals, the private sector, communities and traditional leaders. In addition, the assistance and support from regional and international organizations and donor partners underpin the timely delivery of the goals of this Policy. In this respect, the responsible agencies for the implementation of this Policy are directed to engage all our partners for assistance and support.

VII. APPROVAL

This FSM Nationwide Climate Change Policy 2009 is hereby approved and becomes effective this:

17th Day of December 2009

H.E. Emanuel Mori

President of

The Federated States of Micronesia