Palau Climate Change Policy.

This Climate Change Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach at community, state, national and international levels. The timeframe of the Palau Climate Change Policy and Action Plan for Climate & Disaster Resilient Low Emission Development is 5 years between 2015 and 2020. The main objective of this Policy is to build the resilience of Palau to climate change and disasters by (i) enhancing adaptation and resilience to the expected impacts of global climate change across all sectors, (ii) improving Palau’s ability to manage unexpected disasters and minimize disaster risk, and (iii) mitigating global climate change through low carbon emission development, energy efficiency, protection of carbon sinks, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
This Policy sets forth a long-term strategy to ensure food security through development in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and environmental protection.
In order to ensure resilience, sustainability and food security to the impacts of climate change and disasters, measures will be taken in the agriculture and fisheries sectors in an environmentally sustainable manner. Biodiversity conservation and the protection of natural resources will be ensured to secure natural and cultural heritage. Research on the carbon sink ability and resilience of marine and terrestrial ecosystems to climate change and disasters will be conducted. Marine ecosystems will be protected against temperature change and ocean acidification for the protection of marine species as well as food security. Sustainable land management will be ensured by strengthening infrastructure. Agricultural production will be developed to sustainably manage and support local food production and consumption. The health status of all Palauans will be improved by strengthening the capacity of existing health infrastructure within vulnerable communities including persons with disabilities. Health services communication systems and preventative health services will be improved to build resilience to water-borne and vector-borne diseases. For the protection of environment, waste-to-energy technologies will be introduced through waste reduction/recycling measures. A comprehensive water resource inventory will be undertaken and an integrated water resource management plan will be developed. Furthermore water quality will be enhanced against erosion and sediments. Disaster risk management plans and energy conservation/efficiency plans will be developed and integrated into all sectors including tourism sector. Moreover Palau’s carbon footprint will be minimized by developing standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy. A National Disaster Recovery Fund and Insurance Program will be established. The legislative and enforcement framework will be strengthened to address risks from climate change and disasters. Public awareness will be raised through the integration of climate change and disaster management into education policies and action plans. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced for disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Disaster risk reduction programs will be fully integrated at all levels to address priority hazards, community development, and disaster coping mechanisms. Preventative measures will be taken to build community resilience in case of emergency by developing risk reduction and emergency evacuation plans.
The Climate Change Office shall establish procedures and processes to mainstream climate change and DRR into environmental impact assessments, and sector and state planning and budget processes and serve as a National Implementing Entity under the Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund. Therefore innovative financing approaches and operations will be explored from varied sources such as multilateral and bilateral donors and regional and national funding mechanisms for the effective implementation of this Policy.