The Melanesian countries have the lowest levels of electrification (Fiji 89%, Vanuatu 29%, Solomon Islands 15% and PNG 10%) while having the most renewable energy resources in the Pacific region, including hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. Green growth in the Pacific face implementation challenges, particularly with enabling renewable energy to reach provincial and rural projects. Local Government officials, communities, small businesses, and traditional leaders lack access to information and training on green economy and renewable energy principles, to enable them to make more informed decisions on their local resources and the use of these resources (energy, water, land use), and to ensure the most sustainable management practices are utilized for their existing and planned renewable energy projects. Without this information and knowledge, local government and communities risk making decisions that promote “brown” energy and/or damage the environment or result in failed renewable energy technology implementation. As these groups are the decision-makers on the ground to operationalize green growth, this group, which the project targets, need to have their capacity in green economy and renewable energy strengthened. Training needs to be adapted and delivered on-site or in nearby provincial centers to provide opportunities for local officials and community/traditional leaders to acquire knowledge “on-the-job.”

The project objective is to strengthen informed and inclusive decision-making by resource owners and local government officials for integration of Green Economy (GE) and Renewable Energy (RE) into Local Level Planning and to strengthen Implementation of Renewable energy (RE) infrastructure for Rural Electrification. This project is aligned with IO3. Improved multi-directional knowledge sharing and learning to empower local and external agents necessary to drive green growth processes in partner governments.

The project is funded by KOICA and will raise awareness and provide capacity building and operation and maintenance (O&M) training in green economy and renewable energy for local government officials, community/traditional leaders, businesses, and local technicians in the four countries to enable these leaders and decision-makers.

The capacity building will be achieved through i) development of customized training materials suitable for women and Vulnerable groups, ii) training of women and vulnerable groups in GE and RE, iii) development to training materials for GE and RE, iv) training of trainers who are based in-country, v) training of traditional/community leaders, small businesses, local government officials, local technicians on GE and RE concepts and vi) development of knowledge platform on GE and RE available to a broad audience around the Pacific and to other SIDS.

10 training modules will be developed in Renewable Energy and Green Economy, training of trainer workshops will be held, capacity building trainings will be conducted in the remote communities of the 4 countries as well as an online knowledge sharing platform created for sharing of capacity building content.

Impact:

To contribute to increased energy access and reduction of CO2 emissions through sustainable use of natural resources and renewable energy technologies in rural areas in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and PNG through increased increase informed decision-making by resource owners and local government officials for integration of Green Economy (GE) and Renewable Energy (RE) into local level planning and strengthening the implementation of renewable energy projects for rural electrification.

Outcome:

No outcomes achieved in 2019, as this was the first year of implementation of the project.

Project Outputs completed in 2019:

• Preliminary needs assessments and pre-implementation surveys in each country · Regional launch and planning workshop
• In-country planning workshops were completed · Target sites were agreed with the four countries and MoUs signed where needed.

The remaining outputs will be achieved in 2020 and 2021.

i. Green Growth Policies: N/A

ii. Green Investments: N/A

iii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Products: To be completed in years 2020 – 2021.

Project Manager: Mohammed Tazil

Katerina Syngellakis, Ashreal Prasad, Paul Kaun, Rosi Banuve, Ulaiasi Butukoro, Gibson Gala