Cook Islands Climate Change Policy 2018 - 2028.

The Cook Islands climate change policy is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years covering the period from 2018 to 2028. The purpose of this policy is to strengthen climate resilience to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the economic, infrastructural, cultural, and environmental resources of the Cook Islands, while promoting sustainable development.
The resilience to the impacts of climate change will be strengthened through a coordinated, inclusive, culturally appropriate adaptation and mitigation programme. A low-carbon development strategy will be advanced to support development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By 2025, all islands will achieve 100% renewable energy production, and the nation will attain full energy efficiency. Additionally, the country aims to reach zero emissions by 2040.
Climate resilience will be enhanced through expanded health-related initiatives, including efforts to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Climate risk assessments and climate-proofing strategies will be integrated into the national development framework. Efforts will be made to raise awareness about climate change-induced loss and damage and its potential national implications. Additionally, community-based and ecosystem approaches will be implemented to strengthen resilience.
Capacity-building efforts will be enhanced across all climate financing programs and projects. Innovation will be fostered in a climate context for technology application, as well as increased research for quantitative analyses on Cook Islands' vulnerability and adaptation assessments. Education and and public awareness on climate change will be strengthened at all levels. Gender equality will integrated into all climate related activities. Technology needs assessment will be conducted for both mitigation and adaptation prior to investing into new climate technologies. Standards and procedures that foster green investment in the Cook Islands, will be established.
This policy addresses water and food security and the need for protecting food production systems from the adverse impacts of climate change. Water harvesting and storage capacity will be increased. Efforts will be made to sustain and increase local production to decrease the reliance on imported food. Climate-ready commercial crops will be promoted. Subsistence sector will be protected through activities to increase land area under subsistence cultivation and catches of artisanal fishers.
Sustainable management of natural resources will be strengthened through sustainable land use, ecosystem preservation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of oceans, lagoons and marine resources. Monitoring programmes will be implemented to assess climate variability impacts. Traditional knowledge and a nature-based approach will be used, where appropriate, to combat the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.