Honey the Hamster

Anote Tong, then president of the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, was a super-supporter of the deal in the run-up to COP 21. Tong`s successor, Taneti Maamau, did not fulfill Tong`s role at COP 25, and Kiribati`s climate change policy regressed during his tenure. This article will examine this regression. The government is taking a whole-of-government approach to address the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, as well as related environmental issues in Kiribati. The impacts of climate change are seen as a major challenge for development efforts that require capacity building at all levels to manage and improve environmental, social and economic sustainability. The government is responsible for providing a platform where awareness of climate change and sea-level rise can be promoted and raised through a single coordinated body – the Bureau des Beretitenti (President) through the Department of Policy Coordination and Strategic Risk Management. The latter is responsible for governance, policy coordination among relevant sectors, including non-governmental organizations, vulnerability and risk management, capacity building, awareness-raising and media coordination, as well as coordination of national positions on international issues related to the various multilateral environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The report concludes with a presentation of the main capacity-building measures needed to address cross-cutting environmental and capacity issues. The Republic of Kiribati is recognized as a Least Developed Country (LDC) and ranks 170th out of 186 countries in terms of GDP per capita. The country consists of 33 atolls and reef islands and covers 3.5 million square kilometers, which poses logistical problems in a country with unreliable connections. Kiribati`s contribution to global warming is insignificant, with per capita emissions (about 0.6 t CO2e/capita in 2014) among the lowest in the world.

The only important emissions sector for Kiribati is energy (including transport), with small contributions from agriculture and forestry. But Maamau said Kiribati would protect its independence. “My government has no intention of obtaining large loans from any country in the near future.” Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2 “Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership” 2013. Pacific Islands Forum Leaders` Meeting, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. In addition to strategically located Christmas, Kiribati`s capital, Tarawa, is located just 1,000 km southwest of the US military installations in Kwajelein. Tod, C. (2010). Governing Sustainable Development: Partnerships, Protests and Power at the World Summit.

New York: Routledge Given Kiribati`s limited resources and capacity, focusing on actions that address the medium- and long-term consequences of climate change necessarily limits the government`s ability to achieve short-term development goals. In a population struggling with urgent social and economic problems, such a compromise is probably unpopular. The capital of Kiribati and the most populous region, South Tarawa, consists of several islands connected by a series of dams. Photo: Provided Maamau`s government has also sought to restrict freedom and access to the media, including the imprisonment of the documentary`s director after Tong`s efforts in the run-up to COP21. As he told the Kiribati parliament, the citizens of Kiribati “must try to isolate themselves from the belief that Kiribati will drown, since the final decision is God.” Kiribati will raise its islands above the ocean as part of its fight against sea-level rise and will seek the help of its new diplomatic partner, China, to secure the future of the archipelago nation, the country`s newly re-elected president said. Studies by Kench and others have shown that waves that roll over narrow atoll islands every few years leave sand and lift islands with the sea. Kiribati will host a special side event entitled “A Blue and Resilient Atoll Nation” at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion on Thursday, December 12, from 4:15 p.m. .m. to 5:15 p.m. .m. To learn more about events at Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, please visit www.pacific-pavilion.com or download the Attendify app, search for Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion and create a profile to attend. Beyond migration with dignity, Tong created the Phoenix Island Protected Area (PIPA), the largest marine protected area in the world.

He also led the formation of the Coalition of LowLand Atoll Nations on Climate Change (CANCC) to give a unified voice to similar island states, including Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, Maldives and Tokelau. He has also advocated for a global moratorium on coal, served on the board of Conservation International, and received numerous awards for his leadership and climate advocacy. Taneti Maamau, the leader of the opposition party, won the 2016 presidential election in Kiribati with 60% of the vote. Maamau does not believe that humans are responsible for climate change. Instead, he believes that only god`s will can disempower Kiribati and has “set aside [Tong`s] misleading and pessimistic scenario of a sinking/abandoned nation.” Kiribati`s revenue comes mainly from five main sources: (i) the sale of fishing licences (access rights account for more than 50% of the government`s annual revenue and contribute about 22% to GDP); (ii) official development assistance; (iii) the Kiribati Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF); (iv) general taxation; and (v) tariffs paid by households for services. The high dependence on donor contributions and vulnerability to external economic and environmental factors contribute to the challenges facing the country, and in particular the infrastructure sector. (KJIP) (2014) reports that the following capacity constraints still need to be addressed: Tong recognizes the existential threat to his country and people and focuses his policies and advocacy on preventing them. Kiribati consists of 33 low-lying atolls spanning 3.5 million km2 of ocean. With a population of over 110,000 people, at their highest altitude, the islands of Kiribati have an average of six feet above sea level. Phase III of the Kiribati Adaptation Programme (KAP III) builds on KAP II best practices in the design and implementation of adaptation measures in the field of water and construction works. The project will implement physical investments and capacity building; emphasis on Community consultation/participation; and other donor activities to make climate-resilient investments. It is expected that the project will move quickly to the implementation of investments based on the extensive technical and analytical work already carried out during the preparatory and implementation phase of KAP II.

Cape III activities represent both climate change adaptation measures and measures to reduce natural disasters. In particular, the KiribatiJointImplementationPlanon Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP) (2014) reports that the total indicative cost of gross resources for the implementation of the KJIP during the period 2013-2023 is estimated at AUD 103,107,161 (approximately $75 million). Of this total, funding costs are estimated to account for 96% of total costs, while in-kind benefits represent 4%. The costs per strategy are summarized in the following table. These costs should be implemented in the next phase of an ever-evolving adaptation programme implemented by Kiribati. In particular, Kiribati has three main requirements under the Paris Agreement: reserved financing of loss and damage with clear guidelines, simplified and continuous access to climate finance, and Article 6 with clear and robust rules to ensure environmental integrity and promote ambition. .