1. Innovative and effective approaches to climate change: Experiences from the Global Climate Change Alliance Brussels 12 th -14 th September 2012 Thematic Presentation: “Addressing climate change through disaster risk reduction and coastal zone management ” Ms. Frances Brown-Reupena Water & Sanitation Sector Coordinator, Samoa Session 15, Day 2, 12 th September 2012

2. The Water and Sanitation Sector Samoa Water Supply –SWA (National Service Provider) –IWS (MWCSD) –Rainwater Harvesting Water Resource Management – MNRE Drinking Water Quality – MOH Sanitation –National Sanitation Policy – MNRE –National Building Code – MWTI –National Hygiene – MOH –Wastewater Treatment Plant – SWA –Sludge Treatment Facilities – MNRE Flood Mitigation (Urban Drainage) – LTA Sector Governance – MNRE 2

3. GCCA and National Planning Mainstreaming Climate Change National Strategy – SDS Water for Life Sector Plan Ministry/Corporation Corporate Plans (NAPAs 1 – 5) Management/Implementation Plans Budget (MTEF) 3

4. Institutional Framework 4

5. Coordination Framework 5

6. GCCA in the Pacific – USP (Regional) Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC) 2006 – 2015 –Capacity Building –Community Engagement –Applied Research USP – FIJI 16 Pacific Island Countries SPC – 9 Pacific Island Countries 6

7. Introduction Overview of the GCCA DRR and coastal management zone experience Key issues from the Background document Complementary issues from global experience Some comments on the Working Group discussion topics 7

8. An overview of GCCA experience GCCA existing and foreseen programmes have a DRR / coastal zone focus in 9 countries and 2 regions. 5 of the country programmes and the regional programmes have a major coastal zone component. Other programmes include support to wider strategies, forestry, monitoring systems and drainage infrastructure. Most are in mid implementation: ~65% started in 2011 or before. 8

9. An overview of DRR related GCCA experience 9 An example from Samoa, the programme aims to:example Rehabilitate the drainage infrastructure of the Greater Apia area Rebuild and upgrade the priority drainage infrastructure for stormwater flows in Apia Set up of an effective drainage infrastructure management system, and implement a maintenance plan

10. Key issues from the GCCA DRR technical paper 10 Reducing vulnerability to disaster-related effects of climate change Vulnerability reduction in the context of disaster risk reduction involves seeking opportunities to reduce exposure, reduce sensitivity and increase adaptive capacity. Investing in data collection and management Reliable data are needed to support climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and coastal zone management.

11. Key issues from the GCCA DRR technical paper 11 Strengthening institutions for disaster risk reduction and coastal zone management Strong institutions are central in providing effective design and implementation of climate-related policies, and also contribute to favourable conditions for the development of a sound legal and regulatory framework. eg: Climate resilience coordination unit in MoF that looks at mainstreaming climate change into the national development strategy and at sector level. Works collaboratively with MNRE to finalise CC policy including development of climate resilient infrastructure design standards and ensure that future investment plans effectively address climate risks Involving local communities Local stakeholders can play an important role in the prevention of disasters as well as the implementation of adequate responses when they occur. This is the centre of engagement of civil society in development framework in Samoa. There exist adequately funded grants schemes for civil society to address impacts of climate change and disaster risk management measures that have emanated out of village sustainable development plans (CSSP, SGP, SRC)

12. Key issues from the GCCA DRR technical paper 12 Combining ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ options The recent IPCC report on managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation stresses that ‘successful strategies include a combination of hard infrastructure- based responses and soft solutions. Important in Samoa’s approach involving coastal management with a carefully assessed balance between the use of seawalls, rockwalls versus tree planting and mangrove rehabilitation or a blend of the two types of solutions Learning from field activities Effective, locally acceptable disaster risk reduction and coastal adaptation options may be identified by implementing pilot or demonstration projects, supporting knowledge building in real-life conditions. This is the basis of the small grants scheme established to set up good practice adaptation measures at community level. (Pilot Schemes - On-site sanitation project (ADB), MDG Initiative(EU))

13. Complementary issues from global experience Key Issues to be reinforced: Climate change/Disasters are a development concern – important therefore to use an integrated approach to addressing how to deal with impact Need to promote research/fact finding to better understand roots of disasters/climate change impacts which lie in people’s vulnerabilities and how socioeconomic conditions impact on ways to cope Need to implement innovative measures to strengthen and maintain engagement of communities in a strategic and targeted approach i.e. Ensure community participation and social inclusion in decision making and actions – people have inherent capacity to cope – indigenous knowledge is important There is a need to develop and sustain strategic partnerships and develop and sustain resilient livelihoods Infrastructure-based options (investment planning) to DRR are valuable, especially if implemented in the context of a wider approach such as integrated water resources management There is a need for Donors/Development Partners to coordinate themselves, expertise, financing etc To be completed by Frances Reupena 13

14. Some comments on the Working Group discussion topics (DRR) –How are DRR and CZM being addressed in your GCCA Programme? Are these sufficiently mainstreamed into your national priorities, financing, M&E Is it Promoting IWRM and IZCM Approaches? If so, how? Does it support pilot / demonstration projects? What are these? Lessons? Does it support applied research/evidence-based research (eg data collection/management, academic research, baseline surveys etc)? Does it support infrastructure based / ecosystem based measures? Investment Planning, CIM Plans, Resettlement Issues Is it promoting Community Engagement? How is the community being engaged? Are we promoting PPP? How are we engaging with the private sector? Is GCCA supporting long-term Institutional Strengthening and capacity building? How and to what extent are these being addressed. 14

15. FAAFETAI SEE YOU IN OUR GROUP WORK 15