XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-3508 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP National Environment Service, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works. CEO Approval Date Actual Implementation Start Date Actual Completion Date ' Cook Islands 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 UNDP National Environment Service, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works. 0 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-5348 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility UNDP National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Cook Islands Developing countries, unspecified Avarua -21.2075 -159.77545 +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ 853486.20 853486.20 853486.20 853486.20 853486.20 0 UNDP National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation 1730117 UNDP National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation 1464335 UNDP National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation 4029282 UNDP National Environment Service, Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation 4267431 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-9067 Global Environment Facility NA Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Global Environment Facility ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date ' Cook Islands +![cdata[Energy generation, renewable sources - multiple technologies]]+ 852930.80 852930.80 852930.80 852930.80 852930.80 0 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 2760000 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 970000 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 0 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 0 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 0 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 330000 ADB Ministry of Finance and Economic Management of the Government of the Cook Islands 4264654 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-10780 Global Environment Facility To safeguard globally significant biodiversity and core ecosystem services through mainstreaming environmental issues in key development sectors, facilitating more inclusive natural resource governance, and improving the management effectiveness of conservation areas. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.The project will generate a range of socio-economic benefits as it invests in mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and ecosystem safeguards across key development sectors in partnership with landowners, traditional leaders and local communities, and further improve management of the protected area system and priority catchments. Increased inclusion of landowners and local communities in biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. Landowners and local communities will be proactively engaged in the governance and management of protected and managed areas and priority catchments, protecting and respecting traditional practices and knowledge. Engagement of Cook Island Maori communities will be ensured through obtaining free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). Gender mainstreaming and increased inclusion of youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The project will facilitate advances in gender equality and women’s empowerment, through inclusion in decision-making processes on natural resource management, delivery of capacity building on improving financial management skills, and disseminating information on available financing options for local community organizations, helping to enhance small-scale entrepreneurship, with a particular emphasis on engaging women-led community-based organizations and local enterprises. Project activities will emphasise priority inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Strengthening wellbeing and income-generating measures. Livelihood benefits will be generated for local households through increased soil productivity, soil and water conservation, access to low-value grant assistance for interventions on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, and through access to capacity building on sustainable agricultural practices, best practices in ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, and alternative livelihoods. Strengthened resilience (adaptation benefits). Protection of scarce freshwater resources in Rarotonga is one of the main priorities with respect to climate change adaptation in the Cook Islands. The target catchments in the project cover a cumulative area of 2,513 ha, representing more than 35% of the total terrestrial area of the island. The catchment audits and management plans under Outputs 2.1 and 2.2 will provide scale-able frameworks for the other catchments in the country. Implementation of sustainable land management practices and reduction in the use of agrochemicals will generate substantive adaptation benefits. Moreover, improved and intersectoral management of priority catchments will contribute to the low carbon development priorities of the country, safeguarding important ecosystem services, increasing awareness, and increasing resilience and coping capacities of local communities. Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: The project is relevant to a number of SDGs, most notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), as outlined below in Table 3 of the Project Document.Relevance to United Nations Pacific Strategy 2018-2022 and UNDP Strategy Plan 2022-2025: The project is aligned to the United Nations Pacific Strategy 2018-2022, specifically Outcome 1: “Climate change, disaster resilience, and environmental protection”; Output 1.5: “Number of PICTs coverage of terrestrial and marine areas that are protected.” The GEF-7 project aims to facilitate improved management effectiveness of four protected and managed areas and establishment of a new, community conserved area in the cloud forest in Rarotonga. The expected project results will also contribute towards achievement of the UNDP Strategic Plan (2022-2025), namely Output Signature Solution #4 (Environment); contributing to UNDP SP Result 4.1: “Natural resources protected and managed to enhance sustainable productivity and livelihoods”; and Result 4.2: “Public and private investment mechanisms mobilized for biodiversity, water, oceans, and?climate solutions”. Under the Integrated results and resources framework (IRRF) of the UNDP Strategic Plan, the project will contribute towards Indicator IRRF 4.1.1 (“Number of people directly benefitting from initiatives to protect nature and promote sustainable use of resources”), and Indicator 4.2.1 (“Number of people directly benefitting from mechanisms for biodiversity, water, oceans, and climate solutions funded by public and/or private sector resources”): 9,588 estimated direct beneficiaries, of whom 4,892 are women; and Indicator IRRF 4.1.2: 15,831 ha of “area of terrestrial (1,378 ha) and marine protected areas (14,453 ha) created or under improved management practices”, and 3,130 ha of “areas of landscapes under improved practices, excluding protected areas”.Global Environment Facility UNDP National Environment Service CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Cook Islands Avarua -21.2075 -159.77545 +![cdata[Environmental policy and administrative management]]+ +![cdata[Biodiversity]]+ +![cdata[Site preservation]]+ 58857 UNDP National Environment Service 209944 UNDP National Environment Service 3502968 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-11185 Global Environment Facility To reduce the amount of plastics entering the Cook Islands via the FB and tourism sectors and to support enabling environments for circular solutions, with the intention of reducing the burden on the Cook Islands waste management system, as well as reducing pollution and harmful impacts of plastic. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.Yes There are several and remarkable socio-economic benefits related to the fight against plastic pollution, as well as promoting packaging circularity in the food and beverage sector. Among others, the project will contribute to: § Cost savings: Governments spend significant resources on waste management, cleaning up plastic pollution and dealing with its consequences, such as damage to infrastructure and biodiversity. By preventing pollution at its source, these costs can be minimized, allowing funds to be allocated elsewhere.§ Job creation: Initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution, such as reuse systems and the development of alternative materials, create employment opportunities in various sectors, including waste management, research and development, and manufacturing. The project intends to work with local businesses and growers in support to the identification, co-design and pilot-testing of local solutions to plastic pollution. These solutions, such as reuse/refill systems and Short Food Supply Chains, tend to create orders of magnitude more jobs than disposal-based systems that primarily burn or bury waste. Zero waste measures can be considered as an opportune social infrastructure in which investments can strengthen local economic resilience. Multiple studies of zero waste systems cite higher wages and better working conditions than in comparable fields, and opportunities to develop and use varied skills, from equipment repair to public outreach.[1]§ Innovation and entrepreneurship: Addressing plastic pollution fosters innovation in sustainable materials, food & beverage processing and distribution, and waste management technologies. This stimulates economic growth by creating new markets for responsible products and services. This is the case when promoting reuse, and particularly enhancing the informal practices.§ Enhanced reputation: Businesses and regions that actively combat plastic pollution often enjoy improved reputations, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors. This can lead to increased market share, higher revenues, and greater investment inflows.§ Tourism promotion: Cleaner environments resulting from reduced plastic pollution can attract more tourists, boosting local economies reliant on tourism. Beaches, parks, and natural attractions are more appealing when free from litter and plastic debris.§ Public health improvement: Decreased plastic pollution means less plastic waste in waterways and food chains, reducing the risk of ingestion by humans and animals. This helps mitigate health issues associated with plastic contamination, such as endocrine disruption and chemical toxicity. In addition, promoting local, fresh food and beverage production and consumption has positive effects on health in comparison to processed foods. § Cultural heritage: In addition to health benefits, promoting local produce is a great way to protect cultural heritage.§ Community empowerment: Engaging communities, in plastic pollution reduction initiatives promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment. In addition, the project gender strategy will ensure gender mainstreaming and specific activities in the project, such as training and business support. § Resource conservation: Minimizing plastic usage encourages the efficient use of resources, including fossil fuels used in plastic production. This supports sustainability efforts and reduces reliance on finite resources, contributing to long-term economic stability. [1] For more information: https://www.no-burn.org/zerowastejobs/ Global Environment Facility UNEP National Environment Service (NES) CEO Endorsement Date Actual Implementation Start Date Expected Completion Date ' Cook Islands Cook Islands -21.236736 -159.777671 6222018 GEF XI-BRIDGE-6385676864-11844 Global Environment Facility To strengthen the Cook Islands’ institutional, human, and technical capacities to enable transparent reporting and tracking of national Greenhouse Gas Inventory and NDC implementation for more effective climate action planning and implementation Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.The Cook Islands Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) project will deliver significant socioeconomic benefits at both national and local levels. Nationally, the project will enhance the capacity of government institutions responsible for climate data collection, analysis, and reporting, leading to better-informed policy decisions and more effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Improved coordination among various government ministries and agencies will also reduce redundancies and improve resource efficiency, benefiting the national economy. Furthermore, building capacity and enhancing the skills of relevant stakeholders creates opportunities for job growth and economic development.At the local level, the project will empower communities by involving them in climate reporting and data collection processes. Local stakeholders, including women’s groups, community organizations, and the private sector, will participate in capacity-building workshops and training sessions, enhancing their understanding of climate change issues and equipping them with the skills needed to contribute to national climate goals. Accurate climate data will inform more effective and targeted adaptation measures, protecting livelihoods, enhancing food security, and reducing the risk of climate-related disasters.The socioeconomic benefits of the CBIT project will also support global environmental and adaptation goals. By improving the accuracy of GHG inventories and tracking NDC implementation, the project contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change. Enhanced climate data management and reporting will enable the Cook Islands to implement effective adaptation strategies, reducing vulnerability to climate-related hazards and ensuring sustainable development. Beneficiaries include government institutions, local communities, the private sector, and NGOs, all of whom will be better equipped to participate in and benefit from climate action initiatives.Global Environment Facility UNEP Climate Change Cook Islands, Office of the Prime Minister CEO Approval Date ' Cook Islands Cook Islands -21.24842 -159.78516 Rarotonga, Cook Islands -21.23274 -159.77245 1330000 GEF