Raising Awareness in the Cook Islands

Workshop report

The Cook Islands, like all Pacific Island countries are amongst the most the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This vulnerability was strongly felt when the country suffered from five cyclones in one single month in the year 2005. One of the main needs identified in order to address climate change is the development of national sustainable development strategies.

From May 22nd to the 24th, WWF, with the Cook Islands National Environment Service conducted a workshop to raise awareness on climate change and to contribute towards the development of the above mentioned national strategy, at the Assemblies of God (AOG) Hall, in Takuvaine, Rarotonga.

The workshop sought input from stakeholders on the following national processes that address climate change in the Cook Islands:

• The 2nd National Communications Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
• The National Environment Strategic Action Framework, by identifying appropriate actions for its implementation

In line with the above objectives, by the end of this workshop, participants:

• Identified their organisation/community risks from climate change
• Identified their community's / organisation's needs in order to reduce their vulnerability to climate change, and
• Became aware of opportunities and challenges faced by their community/ organisation in dealing with climate change in the Cook Islands

The above identification of risks, needs, opportunities and challenges brought out a number of recommendations in the following areas:

• Enhancing the resilience of vulnerable sectors: Marine resources (including coral bleaching), water, agriculture and coastal areas
• The mitigation of emissions through renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Strengthening the National Meteorology Service and implement better preparedness programs against hurricanes and cyclone
• Institutional strengthening e.g. formalising the climate change programme within the National Environment Service
• The role of civil society organisations, the formal education curriculum and the media
• Incorporating climate change into national development plans and strategies

The above recommendations contributed to the overall aims of the workshop: to produce a national strategy to address climate change and to set in flow a process that enables partnerships for on-the-ground adaptation projects.

The workshop was attended by a wide range of participants- representatives from virtually all government departments, including the Minister for Environment, civil society organisations, as well as the media.

WWF would like to thank the above for their active participation, the National Environment Service and the AOG staff for all their support and hard work, and the European Commission for financially supporting this workshop. We will be uploading the full report from this workshop on our website soon.

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