USD$80,000 funding towards ‘green games initiative’

The Pacific Climate Change Center PCCC through SPREP Assists Solomon Islands host a green games initiative through USD$80,000 funding

NADI, FIJI (3^rd May 2023) The Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC) through SPREP and the Solomon Islands Government through the Climate Change Division in the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) yesterday agreed in principle to collaborate to make Honiara a more greener and resilient city.

The SPREP PCCC team led by PCCC Programme Manageress Ms Ofa Ma’asi-Kaisamy, Climate Finance Readiness advisor Mr Fred Patison Siho made the commitment when meeting with the Deputy Director Climate Change Division Mr. Henry Tufah at a side meeting during the PCCC knowledge brokerage training workshop currently underway in Nadi, Fiji.

The initiative will see SPREP through PCCC providing funding support of USD80, 000 to the MECDM for the greening of St. Joseph’s Tenaru School near Honiara. The school is one of the games villages and will accommodate some athletes for PG2023.

In a statement SPREP’s Climate Finance Readiness Advisor Mr Patteson said “As a demonstration measurable activity, SPREP through PCCC will be  focusing on investing in activity to make one of the games villages (Tenaru School) carbon neutral by offsetting their emissions through greening activities such as  tree planting, landscaping and beautifying the school”

He added that the Pacific Games 2023 has become a trigger for interventions that will lead to major changes over the long-term resilience of Honiara city.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director CCD Mr. Henry Tufah acknowledged the assistance and described it as very timely given that most of governments’ resources have already been redirected to the hosting of the games making it very difficult to access funds.

He says the assistance will go a long way in helping the CCD see its vision to make Tenaru school green come to pass, following the piloting of the CCD Green Initiatives at KGVI school last year 2022. He further stresses that the aim is not only to beautify the school as one of the PG23 host venues but the promotion of green initiatives in schools around the country.

A team from SPREP and PCCC will be in the country from the 5^th to the 10^th of July as a follow-up on the arrangement.

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