GIS for Sustainable Coastal Zone Management
89
system for the Cook Islands; the Solomon Islands Resource Information System
(SOLRIS) and; the Vanuatu Resource Information System (VANRIS).
Capacity Building
Already, there has been a lot of work done in the Pacific ranging from research and
pilot studies through to detailed surveys. The work required to produce these data are
expensive and time consuming. To overcome these problems, a regional directory of
environmental institutions, experts and data has been compiled. The directory can
help identify information gaps and contains knowledge of what has been done and
what data is available in the region. The Directory can: reduce duplication of effort;
identify the level of expertise and how it can best be utilised and; provide a basis for
more detailed assessment of the needs of the governments in the field of modern GIS
technology. Used in conjunction with the NEMS, this document will help national
governments in the development of capacity building proposals for the donor
community.
State of the Environment Report
The SPREP Secretariat, in collaboration with other regional bodies and donors, are
continuing to develop and modify a framework to assess the ‘State of the Environment’
in the face of threats by man or indirectly by natural disasters. As part of this process,
the UNEP Environment Assessment Program for Asia and Pacific (UNEP- EAP AP),
together with SPREP and its member governments, are developing procedures for
environmental assessment.
This framework will: support the generation of
environmental indicators and indices; help integrate multi-sectoral data; identify areas
where data are inadequate and; indicate the weak links in institutional networks that
need strengthening. Most importantly, the framework is designed to enable
governments to meet their environment reporting obligations and formulate action
strategies efficiently and effectively.
Four categories of databases have been developed under the State of the
Environment Reporting System. These are:
Biophysical Environment including land use, topography, land tenure, soil
types, village boundaries, conservation areas and key flora and fauna
Socio-economic Environment including human activities; agriculture,
forestry, transportation, energy and tourism, population parameters (e.g. size,
growth and distribution) and health issues
Natural Disasters including floods, droughts, susceptibility to cyclones and
earthquakes
Policies and Institutions including responses by governments and government
agencies
1)
2)
3)
4)
State of the Environment databases are now operational in 9 countries; Cook Islands,
Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu and Western Samoa.
These databases will also serve as a tool in
89
system for the Cook Islands; the Solomon Islands Resource Information System
(SOLRIS) and; the Vanuatu Resource Information System (VANRIS).
Capacity Building
Already, there has been a lot of work done in the Pacific ranging from research and
pilot studies through to detailed surveys. The work required to produce these data are
expensive and time consuming. To overcome these problems, a regional directory of
environmental institutions, experts and data has been compiled. The directory can
help identify information gaps and contains knowledge of what has been done and
what data is available in the region. The Directory can: reduce duplication of effort;
identify the level of expertise and how it can best be utilised and; provide a basis for
more detailed assessment of the needs of the governments in the field of modern GIS
technology. Used in conjunction with the NEMS, this document will help national
governments in the development of capacity building proposals for the donor
community.
State of the Environment Report
The SPREP Secretariat, in collaboration with other regional bodies and donors, are
continuing to develop and modify a framework to assess the ‘State of the Environment’
in the face of threats by man or indirectly by natural disasters. As part of this process,
the UNEP Environment Assessment Program for Asia and Pacific (UNEP- EAP AP),
together with SPREP and its member governments, are developing procedures for
environmental assessment.
This framework will: support the generation of
environmental indicators and indices; help integrate multi-sectoral data; identify areas
where data are inadequate and; indicate the weak links in institutional networks that
need strengthening. Most importantly, the framework is designed to enable
governments to meet their environment reporting obligations and formulate action
strategies efficiently and effectively.
Four categories of databases have been developed under the State of the
Environment Reporting System. These are:
Biophysical Environment including land use, topography, land tenure, soil
types, village boundaries, conservation areas and key flora and fauna
Socio-economic Environment including human activities; agriculture,
forestry, transportation, energy and tourism, population parameters (e.g. size,
growth and distribution) and health issues
Natural Disasters including floods, droughts, susceptibility to cyclones and
earthquakes
Policies and Institutions including responses by governments and government
agencies
1)
2)
3)
4)
State of the Environment databases are now operational in 9 countries; Cook Islands,
Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Niue, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
Vanuatu and Western Samoa.
These databases will also serve as a tool in