National Environmental Capacity Development Action Plan 2008-2012.

The National Environmental Capacity Development Action Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this policy is 5 years covering the period between 2008 and 2012. The goals of this policy are: (I) good governance and environmental stewardship at national and provincial level in Solomon Islands, (II) strengthening research, development and monitoring capacity to address priority environmental issues and institutional obligations, (III) expanding training and education opportunities to increase environmental management capacity, (IV) environment conducive to development and transfer of appropriate technologies, and (V) effective management and implementation of international, regional and national environmental agenda.
Environmental laws will be strengthened and implemented to offer better environmental protection, management and planning. A National Environment Policy will be developed to address the issues related to wildlife, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem preservation, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, resource protection, climate change, sustainable land management, rural development and sustainable development. Environmental considerations and conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity will be integrated into national decision-making processes, and mechanisms will be established to include stakeholders in decision-making and policy development on natural resource management and environmental issues. Institutional and technical capacity will be strengthened for sound environmental governance at all levels. The governance structures between the national and provincial governments will be improved. Respective rights and responsibilities between customary landowners and the government in dealing with natural resources management and use will be clarified. Environmental awareness programmes will be implemented targeting the national and provincial government agencies involved in environmental management. Effective information sharing mechanisms and data management will be developed to enhance public awareness of environmental issues. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be strengthened by developing plan to cope with the current and future impacts of climate change and mainstreaming climate change issues into national and sectoral policies and development planning.
Research, development and monitoring capacity will be strengthened to address priority environmental issues and institutional obligations. An effective and accessible environmental information management system will be established to support implementation of sustainable land management and early warning systems, weather predictions and drought forecasting. National priorities will be determined for scientific research to identify environmental status and trends, and to provide data for sound planning, policy development and for measuring environmental progress. The legal framework will be developed to protect traditional knowledge and regulate access benefit sharing of the use of genetic resources. Environmentally friendly and low-cost technology development and transfer will be promoted in the Solomon Islands by developing the policies, programmes and incentives to encourage the adoption of “green” technologies. Food production will be increased through appropriate new methodologies identified for sustainable farming practices, soil protection, protection of water catchments and rivers, vegetation protection, reforestation, and ecological restoration of disturbed habitats. Food production systems will be improved in compliance with international environmental standards and accreditation criteria and systems. International, regional and national environmental agenda will be effectively managed and implemented. The policy framework will be developed for the implementation of the national environmental agenda and the obligations under multilateral environmental agreements.