About

The Pacific island nation of Niue is the new country coming on board the Climate Neutral Network. In August this year, Niue hosted a regional meeting of the 39th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. Climate Change was the main theme of this meeting, which adopted a declaration stressing the need to achieve both emissions reductions and economic growth in working towards climate stability.

Niue’s own annual greenhouse gas emissions are approximately 0.003 million metric tonnes for a population of about 1 800. The Government of Niue focuses on the transport in particular the energy sectors as the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. It promotes the use of low energy rated appliances, use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, enforcement of maximum speed limits and the encouragement of carpooling. It also works to cut down carbon emissions through better waste management and exploration of renewable energy resources.

Climate

Although Niue lies on the edge of the Southern Tropical Cyclone belt, there have been instances in its past when severe hurricanes have caused devastation to the island’s physical landscape. Cyclone Heta, [a Category 5 cyclone] the most severe in living memory, struck Niue in January 5th 2004, with giant waves breached the natural cliff fortress, caused two deaths, damaged private property and government infrastructures, including an entire western coastline for up to 200m inland from Tagavaka in Alofi South to Mutalau in the north.

But Niue’s climatic variations, with south easterlies predominating together with the island’s physical landscape are responsible for its rainfall and temperature differences. Generally there are two distinct seasons: the wet season with hot humid temperatures averaging 29 degrees from November to March, and the cooler dry period lasting through April to October averaging 23 degrees centigrade.

Cultural Landscape

Niue’s 14 villages are linked by a 76km ring road of which 90 is sealed while inner roads between Alofi and Liku, Lakepa and Hakupu are completely sealed. Alofi is the main centre where most private businesses and government services are located. The hospital and the industrial park which were completely destroyed by Cyclone Heta in 2004 have been rebuilt 2km on the top terrace in Alofi South next to the international airport.

Each of the village living communities has at least one church building, a shared community facility and a village green. The downside to village living communities is the prevalence of derelict houses that have been abandoned by their owners when they migrated to live overseas, mainly in New Zealand.

Physical Landscape

From the sea approaches Niue is flat with its cliff faces resembling a large ‘Swiss cheese’ composed of coral limestone rock peppered with caves, hidden caverns and chasms, buried grottoes and other subterranean natural fissures that are yet to be discovered and developed into tourist attractions.The island is approximately 73 km in circumference with two distinct terraces. The upper terrace, 60m high at its highest point, slopes steeply to a 0.5m coastal terrace ending with high cliffs, some over 20m above sea level. A rugged fringing reef, which in places over 100m wide, surrounds the island.

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Strategy

Niue as a small island nation of a population of about 1,700 people is doing its part to combat against climate change. Niue’s own annual greenhouse gas emissions are approximately 0.003million metric tonnes.  It is Niue’s goal to implement more renewable energy projects on the island with a hope to become carbon neutral in the near future. Furthermore, integration of mitigation and adaptation issues of climate change into all policies of the Niue Government, including integration of climate change issues into the Niue Integrated Strategic Plans. The Government of Niue focuses in particular on the transport and energy sectors as the major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. It promotes the use of energy saving appliances and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and, in the case of transport, enforces maximum speed limits and encourages carpooling. It also works to cut down carbon emissions through better waste management and exploration of renewable energy resources. Recently, there has been installation of solar water heaters and distribution of gas stove ovens for some of the residents. This is a collaborative effort between Niue and the European Union. Other means such as wind power generation and solar energy has been looked at to provide alternative energy for Niue as the country relies heavily on imports of fossil fuel. In August 2008, Niue hosted a regional meeting of the 39th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders. Climate Change was the main theme of this meeting, which adopted a declaration stressing the need to achieve both emissions reductions and economic growth in working towards climate stability.

The Second National Communication Project (SNC)

The Government of Niue ratified the UNFCCC Convention on 28 February 1996, and entered into force on 28 May 1996. The Kyoto Protocol was signed in 6 May 1996 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The Initial National Communication was completed and submitted in Year 2001. Currently, SNC is in progress and due to complete sometime in 2009.

SNC Project Outputs

Output 1: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Output 2: Vulnerability Adaptation Output 3: Mitigation Output 4: Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) Output 5: Research, Systematic Observations and Early Warning Systems Output 6: Education, Training, and Public Awareness Output 7: Integration of Climate Change Concerns into Sustainable Development Output 8: Information and Networking Output 9: Capacity Building

Climate Change Impacts In Niue

El Nino

• Low rainfall, cooler and dry conditions.
• Most droughts have been a result of an EL NINO event,but not every event have resulted in a drought.
• It seems that Niue rainfall have a lag with the onset of ENSO.
• High frequency of Tropical Cyclones.

Impacts of El Nino

• Agriculture: decrease of crop production, crop growth season will change, coconut trees takes time to recover.
• Water: Short supply would rely on other sources.
• Health: Impacts not as drastic compared to effects of cyclones.
• Biodiversity: High temperatures associated with high incidence of coral bleaching.
• Land Change Forestry: Forest fires due to extended periods of drought. La Nina
• High rainfall likely.
• Warmer temperatures/ conditions.
• Low risk of Tropical Cyclones.

Impacts of La Nina

• Agriculture: high incidence of diseases caused by fungi bacteria, seedling damage, leaching of essential nutrients.
• Water: pollution of water lens due to infiltration of salt and land based pollutants.
• Health: Mosquito born diseases such as dengue fever.
• Fisheries: Ciguatera outbreaks results in changes of reefs.
• Biodiversity: Increase damage to coral reef fringing the island reduce marine diversity.

Droughts Worst recorded from 1940 – 1944

• Rainfall 23.6 below mean for 5-yr period Two other droughts: 1925, 1976-1977
• Rainfall more than 32 below mean for 2 yr period Recent Drought
• July 1982 – Dec 1983 (Taro export ceased while imported from Samoa to alleviate shortage of planting material). Dry Periods
• 1997 – total rainfall 1498 millimeters
• 1998 – total rainfall 1285 millimeters

Economic resources:

• At the household level most Niueans have some financial flexibility
• At the national level budgets are constrained and Governments have relatively little control over financial planning over multiple years
• Dependence on NZ creates a potential for increased flows (e.g. after Heta), but future flows are uncertain
• UNFCCC funds will do little to help anytime soon: Special Climate Change Fund spent on the PACC Project - Niue chose Water as a priority issue for the PACC Project.
• In urgent need for the operationalisation of the Adaptation Fund of the UNFCCC.

Natural capital:

• Relatively constrained by thin soils and narrow reef and near-shore zone
• Opportunities to increase income from resources are limited, except maybe Nonu, vanilla, and fish
• Lots of land for housing, but water risks need to be taken into account,and tenure constrains movement of whole villages
• Governance for sustainable utilisation compromised by conflicting property rights regimes: how to constrain use of magafoa land in the public interest/ uncertain land boundaries and claims / customary v crown claims to reefs and seas

Education and Public Awareness Programmes in

NIUE Poster Competition

All ages were applicable to enter the competition ranging from primary school to adults. Winning posters would be transformed into billboard displays within the main town of Alofi.

Niue Primary School Donation (2007)

The Niue Primary School undertook a programme in conjunction with the Niue Climate Change Project to promote climate change issues within the school. Activities ranged from Poem Writing, Department visits, Poster Drawing, and Singing Climate related Rhymes for the EarlyChildhood pupils. The school received a donation from the project to promote these activities.

Year 1&2 Department visit (2007)

Students visited the Niue Meteorological Service, Niue Power Corporation, Telecommunication, and others as one of their activities. At the Niue Met Service they were able to learn about the climate equipments and their purposes serving the importance of having a longer term record in order to forecast climate change.

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