Piloting climate change adaptation in coastal zone management and airport redevelopment in Manihiki, Cook Islands
- Cook Islands
- Pacific
ENTRY DATE: 09.03.2012 | LAST UPDATE: 09.03.2012
SCALE:
- Sub-national Level
TARGET AREA:
- Rural
BEST PRACTICE IN:
- Capacity Building
- Project Implementation
KEY SECTOR:
- Coastal Zone Management
FUNDING AMOUNT:
- USD 500,001 - USD 1,000,000
Description of Intervention
Given the high priority placed on coastal infrastructure, communities, and socio-economic and cultural activities, the Government of Cook Islands with support from the ADB (through a loan) initiated the “Strengthening Disaster Management and Mitigation” under Technical Assistance Cyclone Emergency Assistance Loan Programme. This programme was in response to devastation caused by five tropical cyclones in the Cook Islands during the months of February to March 2005.
This project highlights the needs and concerns relating to vulnerability and adaptation in the coastal zones in the Cook Islands:
• Monitoring of beach profiles and coastal erosion;
• Improved understanding of the effects of coastal development and structures on the coastline;
• Improved understanding of coastal processes and the effects of sea level rise;
• Development and enforcement of legislation relating to coastal zone management;
• Implementation of integrated coastal zone management;
• Improved understanding of the various options for coastal protection and management;
• Enhancing networking and information sharing/exchange amongst all stakeholders i.e., NGOs, private sector, Government, communities and the general public so as to develop appropriate measures to address coastal problems;
• Strengthening of the institutional arrangements and improvement in the capacity to support efforts in addressing issues and concerns relating to coastal zone management;
• Review of existing laws and legislation as to assess their appropriateness in accommodating vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and climate variability for key sectors and communities;
• Promotion of integrated planning or zoning in coastal areas as well as using traditional management systems like rau’I protected areas; and
• Improved climate monitoring, research and systematic observation, development and management of databases necessary for VandA assessments, and enhancement of the capacities of experts and institutions in the use and applications of analytical, integrated and process-based methods and tools for assessment work in the coastal zones.
Problems to be Addressed
• Strengthening the design and implementation of the Mangaia Harbour, which was destroyed by tropical cyclones in early 2005; and
• Managing the island’s entire coastline in anticipation of natural and man-made development changes.
Aims
• Enhance the capacity of the Cook Islands to adapt to climate change, including variability, in selected key development areas; and
• Redevelop the airport in Manihiki.
Objectives
• To monitor beach profiles and erosion;
• To enforce legislation relating to coastal zone management in anticipation of man-made and climate-change related developments;
• To enhance networking and information sharing/exchange amongst all stakeholders;
• To review existing laws and legislation to ensure integration of climate-change principles; and
• To safeguard jetties, harbours and the airport at Manihiki with robust adaptation measures.
How it fits into the EbA concept
This project is expected to ensure that the coastal zones of Manihiki are adequately protected from the adverse impacts of climate change and variability including extreme events such as tropical cyclones, land loss due to inundation, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion as a result of wave-overtopping and sea water flooding of both infrastructure and socio-economic activities through adaptation activities that encompass integrated coastal zone management. In outer islands of the Cook Islands, coastal zones provide a lifeline to much of their economies and such facilities as jetties, harbours and airports need to be safeguarded with robust adaptation measures.