Kiribati SoER Process and Policy Impacts

1. Kiribati SoER Process and Policy Impacts UNEP Regional Workshop to Review GEO/IEA Training Manual 8-11 September 2008 Chiang Mai, Thailand

2. Presentation Outline • Introductions-Kiribati • Kiribati SoER Background • SoER Process • Objectives of Our SoER • Impacts of the SoER process on (environmental) Policy Formulation and Implementation

3. Introduction • The Central Pacific Nation of Kiribati is made up of 33 Islands, all are atolls, except for Banaba which is a raised limestone Island. • The Islands are grouped into 3 main clusters; the Gilbert, the Phoenix and the Line Islands • The Total land area is 811 Km2 scattered over a total EEZ of 3.5 Million Km2 • The ocean therefore form the largest portion of our physical Environment

4. Kiribati SoER Background • The first SoE Report for Kiribati was published in 1994 and to date no second report has been published • The second SoE report is in the process of being finalized and covers the period 2002-2003 and 2004 to 2005 which is now being updated to cover 2007

5. Kiribati SoER Process • Methodology • literature review is now the approach, and • Now at peer review status, with SPREP and UNEP • Reporting Periods • Althought It would be Ideal to have an annual SoE reports, it is considered more practicable to have longer report covering 5 years and supplemetary reports every two years.

6. Kiribati SoER Objectives: • Description of the present condition of the environment and Identification of problems affecting it • Monitoring of changes occuring in the environment overtime • Investigation and evaluation of the effectiveness of what government, private and community efforts (if any) are to be taken to reduce the impacts and • Identification of gaps in knowledge about the local environment • Communicate usable information to decision makers for better management of the environment and to assist in the achievement of sustainable development • Provide environmental benchmark data for the assessment of cumulative impacts of environmental policies, programs and action overtime

7. objectives continued • Examine environmental trends, including their implications for the environment and human health • Review programs and activities of public and private sector authorities related to environmental protection • To assess the need for future legislative and other actions required for the authorities to discharge its responsibilities with respect to protection of the environment and sustainable development of the area under consideration

8. Impacts of the SoER process on (environmental) Policy Formulation and Implementation • Kiribati SoERlike any other, has to guide policy, especially the top policy makers (Cabinet).This is in addition to knowing the status of the Environment, so programmes could be designed to minimize or avoid critical status in other areas. • It is also justification to those considering any proposal for potential funding. It is also useful for public awareness activities, for public to see impacts of their behaviour and development

9. Impact on Policy Continued • Althought the SoER 1994 was not much reflected in later policies of Government, ( because environmental concerns where minimal, including the lack of awareness on climate change )SoER did led to the adoption of a National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS) • The NEMS is then reflected in the National Development Strategy • More Importantly NEMS led to the adoption of the first act on the Environment, that is, the Environment Act 1999 • The Act is a significant step in the government policy on the management of the environment

10. Key Contraints- SoER Process • The need and lack of mechanism ( e.g a committee) for data identification and also to decide on methodology, • This is reflected by the lack of centralized centre in the Environment and Conservation Division and Government, to retrieve whatever information needed, • Many in Government have territorial problems in releasing data/info, hence none understands the importance of making info available for Government purposes • The Conflicts btw economic development and sustainable development, mainly because of the limited opportunities for economic development while on the otherhand we have very limited resource base

11. way forward • for a mechanism to be in place,resources are needed • For a committee to exist, resources must be available to fund meetings and additional tasks needed to be done after working hours • The conflict will remain, as the present line of thinking with many leaders, politicians, etc is the former is favoured over the latter. With CC looming in this year’s agenda (national, regional & international) and years to come, this present line of thinking could change. Public awareness should be guided by SoER as well, to reach all levels of society.

12. Summary • For now, our policy is not yet fully guided by the SoE process because the latter is weak and irregular. • Policy seems to be guided by lessons learned, • but more so on political issues.