Pacific Island Regional Rep Talks Climate Change

Host: This is China Development Gateway. I am Zhang Yunyun. Today we are very glad to have the opportunity to talk with David Sheppard, director general of SPREP – that is the Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Programme.

Good afternoon, Mr. Sheppard. Welcome to our interviews!

David Sheppard: Good afternoon!

Host: You are the Director General of SPREP. Could you please give us a brief introduction about your organization? What do you do?

David Sheppard: Certainly. We are called SPREP, the Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Programme. We are the regional agency working in the region for the protection and management of the environment. We work on behalf of our member governments – the 21 island countries and territories – to work with them to better address environmental issues. In our region, environment is a central element of sustainable development, so we work with countries to better manage the environment, to ensure the development opportunities for now and for the future.

Host: I’m very glad to talk to you in Beijing. What’s the purpose of your official visit to China? What are the key issues you have talked with Chinese government and other agencies and institutions?

David Sheppard: China plays a very important role in Pacific Region. In particular China has a lot of experience, expertise in the areas that SPREP works on. So I’m here this week to discuss with relevant agencies of China, such as the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss and outline what SPREP is doing, to hear what’s happening in China and to discuss if there maybe opportunities for joint cooperation and working in the future.

Host: I know that all Pacific island countries are trying hard to respond to climate change. What are the key issues for climate change in Pacific Region and how does climate change affect this region?

David Sheppard: Climate change is a real and major issue in Pacific. Some of the low-lying islands, such as those of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, have only limited height. So as sea level rises, they are particularly vulnerable. And also the issues such as the availability of fresh water is affected by the rising sea levels, and are also seeing changing climate within this region, such as increasing drought incidents in some countries. So climate change is a major issue, it’s an issue that affects livelihoods of people in Pacific. So these countries are most affected globally by the impacts of climate change. In terms of responses, the SPREP is working with governments to look at practical ways to adapt to climate change. So in some countries, we are working on better ways to conserve, better ways to manage fresh water. In others we are looking at how we can more effectively manage the coastal area, and we can protect the coastal vegetation, and we can strengthen the coastal zone. In the other countries we are working on the issues such as agriculture and how we can develop salt toleration species of food crops. So we are looking at a range of approaches, working with governments, looking at practical adaptation responses. Also we are working in all of the countries on issues such as renewable energy, with our partner regional organizations, such as the Secretariat of Pacific Community, to look at how we can introduce more renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy, wind, in some countries increase the use of hydroelectric capacities. So in all of these areas that are related to climate change, China has an active role with considerable expertise. Part of my objectives in coming here is to look at if we can cooperate more in the future.

Host: I’ve learned from your website that there are four strategic priorities in your strategic action plan 2011-2015, including (1) climate change; (2) biodiversity and ecosystem management; (3) waste management and pollution control; and (4) environmental monitoring and governance. How are they going at present?

David Sheppard: All of these are very important priorities. In the Pacific, as in China, if you don’t protect your environment, you won’t have an effective development. So all of those are key elements of that, so we are progressing actively in support of Pacific governments. For climate change, as I mentioned, I work on adapting to climate change; I work on renewable energy. Biodiversity, we work with the governments to look at how we can better protect species, including marine species such as whales and turtles. Wastes, we work to support countries; how we can better manage solid waste; how we can do with issues like e-waste, that’s the waste associated with used and old computers, for example. In environmental governance, we are looking at how we can strengthen the environmental policies and laws in Pacific countries that they are better able to respond to some of these environmental challenges.

Host: Among these strategic priorities, which ones are you concerned with the most?

David Sheppard: They are all particularly important. But at the moment, climate is the overarching one which affects all of the other areas, thus we giving that one a lot of attention. Our members are also asked us to give more attentions to waste management. So at the moment, all are important, but we are giving particular attention to climate change and also to waste management.

Host: Among these strategic priorities, on which one or which ones are you going to have further communications and cooperation with China?

David Sheppard: In this stage we are just talking about options. But clearly China has a lot of experience relating to climate change, particularly your active work on renewable energy, your work on adapting – particularly in coastal zone – to climate change, your experience in biodiversity, and China has about 50 percent of your land area established as national park and scenic areas, for example. So you have a lot of experience. That would be a lot of benefit from making that experience available in the Pacific – and if we could both learn from each other. So we are hoping to explore avenues for increased cooperation on those areas and other areas that are relevant to environmental management in the Pacific.

Host: Actually China has faced the same challenges of addressing climate change and environmental protection. At present, it increased its efforts in environmental protection and monitoring. Do you have some comments and suggestions on China’s environmental governance, protections and monitoring?

David Sheppard: Well, I think clearly China faces many challenges with your environmental development. You have a very large population. I think China has made some significant steps, particularly in terms of strengthening environment standards. I think, establishing a ministry of environment at 2008 was very important. I mentioned the work that China is doing in protecting natures for 50 percent of your land surface is very significant; the global average is only about 10 percent. I think that’s a very strong commitment. You work to protect water, natural recourses, you recognizing that in China that is the central element of development as it in Pacific as well. So I’ve seen from first-hand experience how some of your measures, such as to protect forest, to steep slopes, is making a big impact on issues such as flooding, and water catchment, water management. So I think you face many challenges, you making many positive steps. And I think the Pacific and many other countries around the world can learn from your very positive experience.

Host: The last question is how do you view the further prospects of the cooperation between China and Pacific Region in climate change and other environmental issues?

David Sheppard: I think there is a lot of potential as I’ve said China plays a major role in the Pacific region. You have a lot of experience in issues like climate change, environmental management, waste management, and I feel that there is much potential for increased collaboration between Pacific Island countries and China. So I look forward to that. SPREP hopes that we can play a role in supporting the efforts of our member governments in these important areas. And we are looking forward to working with Chinese government and also with NGOs in the future.

Host: In the end of this interview, I want to thank you again for your detailed information. China Development Gateway is looking forward to more cooperation and communications with SPREP. Thank you!

David Sheppard: Thank you very much and I would congratulate China Development Gateway on your excellent sharing of your information and your excellent program. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about SPREP, and about the environmental and climate change issues in the Pacific. Thank you!