SONGDO, 06 MAR 2016

The Cook Islands have received financial resources from the Green Climate Fund to strengthen their capacity to access finance through GCF. With this disbursement, Cook Islands are the first country in the Pacific region and the first Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to receive such funding.

Readiness grants are designed to help countries prepare to work with the Fund and move towards climate-resilient, low-emission development. 

The Cook Islands have received a first tranche of USD 75,000 from a total readiness grant of USD 150,000. It will help the country strengthen its National Designated Authority (NDA) and undertake national stakeholder consultations, as well as to establish processes to fast-track the islands’ access to GCF funding while ensuring country ownership.

GCF Spotlight Interview with Ana Tiraa, Director of Climate Change Cook Islands

07 JUN 2016

Share with us a game-changer programme that GCF could fund in the Cook Islands that would represent a paradigm shift?

Low-emission development is definitely a game-changer for the Cook Islands. Even though we have emissions, which are insignificant on a global scale, our actions can serve as a model for other countries. In this sense, islands are like laboratories—if the Cook Islands can have 100% renewable energy by 2020, which is a target we have set for ourselves, I see that as a great achievement. It shows the world that every country can take action to address climate change.

Converting to renewable energy is important for the Cook Islands and many other small islands, and we are already seeing the positive impact it is having. Take Pukapuka—one of the remotest islands in the world. Today the island generates all of its energy needs from solar, providing residents with comforts they did not have. In the past, fuel was transported by ship from the main island to Pukapuka. Shortages were common because of late deliveries. With solar, the islanders have power 24/7. The benefits are immediate.

To read more of this interview follow this link: GCF Spotlight on the Cook Islands

13 JUN 2016

Stepping up climate action in the Cook Islands

Government, community, civil society and private sector representatives from the Cook Islands have come up with initial project ideas for what might populate their country programme to tackle climate change—supported by the Green Climate Fund.

Representatives from the country’s 15 islands met on the island of Rarotonga on 26 May to identify where climate mitigation and adaptation efforts should focus and where potential support from the Fund could be channeled.

Regional workshop accelerates Pacific Island engagement with GCF

SUVA, REPUBLIC OF FIJI, 03 AUG 2016

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) this week welcomed over 170 representatives from Pacific Islands countries, Accredited Entities to the GCF, development partners, civil society and the private sector to the Pacific Regional Meeting. The meeting was co-hosted by Australia and the GCF.

Co-Chair of the GCF Board, Ewen McDonald, opened the high-level segment in the presence of Pacific Leaders and Ministers by stating, ‘The Pacific Islands are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and are making efforts towards reducing emissions and climate-resilient development. The Green Climate Fund exists to support that transformation and this workshop will help Pacific Island countries access this finance’.

Co-Chair Zaheer Fakir added, ‘This workshop is a key part of the Fund’s efforts to work with countries and accredited entities to attract high quality, ambitious and paradigm-shifting funding proposals. The Board has already approved over USD400 million in funding approvals, and we aim to reach USD2.5 billion in approvals by our final Board meeting for 2016 in Apia, Samoa in December.’

The Development Coordination Division of MFEM together with the climate change division of the OPM have launched information on the GCF process in how to access funds. 

Refer to the fact sheet below to see the steps required.

 It’s important to note that the GCF funds large climate change projects that help to mitigate or adapt to climate change as opposed to small grant fund projects.