National Sustainable Development Plan 2011-2015.

The present multi-sectorial National Sustainable Development Plan for the period 2011-2015 embodies the country’s general vision how to achieve the highest quality of life consistent with the aspirations of the people of the Cook Island in harmony with culture and the environment. The Plan highlights mainly 8 National Goals or Priority Areas: 1) Economic Development; 2). Infrastructure; 3) Energy; 4) Social Development; 5) Resilience; 6) Ecological Sustainability; 7) Governance; 8) Law and Order.
SO2: Priority Area 1 on “A vibrant Cook Islands economy” and Priority Area 6 on “Ecological sustainability” of the above-mentioned Plan focus on sustainable development. One of the most important aspects in promoting the development of economy is to “unlock potential from marine resources”. This means to increase the economic return from these resources, such as, for example, to ensure sustainable fishing and conservation practices resulting in traditional subsistence practices and long term food security; to protect and conserve natural marine biodiversity; to explore potential sustainable commercialisation of marine resources, such as, marine eco-tourism and other innovative marine business enterprises. Another main issue is to “unlock potential from agricultural production” to revitalise agriculture industry - particularly in the Southern islands of the Pa Enua as not only an import substitution strategy, but also one that will assure food security in the face of climate change, economic earning opportunities and encourage the consumption of healthy food to ensure good health outcomes. These efforts will be based on revitalising agriculture on the principles of biological, organic production and best agricultural practices aligned to the desire for green growth. These efforts will be complemented by research, education and vocational training to ensure that production, marketing and trade facilitation are aligned to ‘green agriculture’ international standards. Priority Area 6 pertains to ecological sustainability. In particular, the key objectives are: 1) The use of all natural resources are managed well to ensure their sustainability; 2) Scarce and degraded natural resources are effectively monitored and restored; 3) The pollution of air, water, and land resources is managed so that impacts are minimised and community and ecosystem health is not adversely affected; 4) Irreversible loss and degradation of biodiversity (marine, terrestrial, aquatic ecosystems) is avoided; 5) Climate change adaptation and emissions reduction measures; 6) Protection of natural environment and in particular of fragile ecosystems.To achieve these objectives the following strategies shall be enforced:1) Improve the management and quality of water resources through an integrated approach; 2) Improve water quality through better sanitation measures;3) Implement waste minimisation programmes and provide appropriate facilities and incentives to support these with the purpose of achieving zero waste; 4)Implement an ecosystem approach to the management of marine resources; 5)Develop and implement interventions to ensure that land use is sustainable; 6) Protect biodiversity and ecosystem.
SO5: Priority Area 2 is concerned with Infrastructure for Economic Growth, Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience. The investment in infrastructure will maximise, inter alia, economic return, improve peoples’ livelihoods and build resilience of the communities to disasters and climate change impacts. To achieve these objectives the following national strategies will be implemented: improve access to and quality of water; improve facilities for waste management, improve transport infrastructure, improve telecommunications. For strengthening the resilience of the community, the most important national strategy is the building of capacity in the infrastructure sector, i.e. providing access to up-to-date technical skills through vocational education and training, and developing community and private sector organisations capable of planning, implementing and overseeing infrastructure development. Another important factor is the revisions of the Building and Standards Act and its related Regulations to ensure that these reflect, inter alia, the development aspirations referring to extreme events benchmarks and climate change adaptation measures. Priority Area 5 deals with “Resilient and Sustainable Communities Resilience”. The specific objectives are as follows: 1) People shall be prepared for disasters and climate change impacts; 2) Impacts of disasters and climate change shall be reduced; 3) People shall be resilient to all forms of hazards. To achieve this an “all hazards” approach shall be adopted coordinated closely with relevant key agencies and stakeholders and communities. The following strategies shall be adopted: 1) Ensure strong governance arrangements for Disaster Reduction Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation) (CCA); 2) Ensure that high quality risk information is available to inform planning and implementation; 3) Enhance effective preparedness, response and recovery; 4) Building resilience through effective disaster risk reduction and CCA.
The National Goal Number 3 of the above-mentioned Plan deals with energy security in general. The main objectives are: 1) Secure and reliable energy services; 2) Enhanced efficiency and improved affordability of energy; Objective 3) Investment for renewable energy development fostered; Objective 4) Energy standards and compliance will be upheld by a well-regulated energy sector. To this end the national strategies shall: 1) Strengthen the institutional framework of the energy sector; 2) Utilise only proven renewable energy technologies; 3) Provide incentives for renewable energy; 4) Upgrade existing energy infrastructure; 5) Promote energy efficiency and conservation;6) Build our capacity in the energy sector.