Palau National Environmental Management Strategy 2022-2030

PALAU National Environmental Management Strategy 2022-2030 Reproduction for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder and provided that SPREP and the source document are properly acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written consent of the copyright owner. SPREP Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Palau National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS) 2022-2030. Apia, Samoa : SPREP, 2023. 98 p. 29 cm. ISBN: 978-982-04-1158-6 (print) 978-982-04-1159-3 (ecopy) 1. Environmental policy – Palau. 2. Environmental protection – Palau. 3. Conservation of natural resources – Palau. I. Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). II. Title. 333.70966 Cover photo: © Underwater Earth / Christophe Bailhache Other photos: Unless otherwise acknowledged, all photographs were taken by SPREP staff. Designed by: www.addiestudio.com PO Box 240 Apia, Samoa T: +685 21929 E: sprep@sprep.org W: www.sprep.org Our vision: A resilient Pacific environment sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures. © Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 2023 PALAU National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS 2022-2030) 4 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Palau National Environmental Management Strategy (2022-2030) was developed through the contributions of many people and organisations, listed below. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. We also acknowledge the financial support by the Capacity building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries - Phase III (ACP MEA Phase III). The ACP MEA Phase III project is implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed in the Pacific by SPREP. Key personnel in Palau who worked on this document were funded by the Global Environment Facility 6th Replenishment (GEF6) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). COORDINATION, PLANNING and WRITING Anuradha Gupta Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment Dr. David Haynes GoingTroppo Consulting Charlene Mersai National Environment Coordinator, PALARIS, Bureau of Budget and Planning, Ministry of Finance Gwendalyn Sisior Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment Jope Davetanivalu Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme 5Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) KEY CONTRIBUTORS Land, Food Security, Freshwater and Biodiversity Leena M Mesebeluu (Lead) Umai Basilius Dr. Pat Colin Carol Emaurois Sholeh Hanser Collin Joseph Heather Ketebengang Dr. Ann Kitalong Joyce Kloulchad Charlene Mersai Dr. Joel Miles Geraldine Rengiil Gwen Sisior Kiblas Soaladaob Yvonne Ueda Nearshore Marine Management Adelle Lukes Isechal (Lead) Umai Basilius Percy Bitoch Dr. Pat Colin Jennifer Koskelin Gibbons Lolita Gibbons Dr. Yimnang Golbuu Dr. Ann Kitalong Kevin Mesebeluu Dr. Joel Miles Geraldine Rengiil Miguel Delos Santos Fabio Siksei Ann Singeo Yvonne Ueda Tom Watson Climate Change Xavier Erbai Matsutaro (Lead) Umai Basilius Tutii-Elbuchel Chilton Dr. Pat Colin Carol Emaurois Dr. Yimnang Golbuu Dr. Ann Kitalong Charlene Mersai Keobel Sakuma Offshore Marine Management This section was drafted using content from the draft 2023-2028 PNMS Strategic Plan, which had a broad stakeholder base. Additional review and commentary was provided by: Dr. Louw Claussens Charlene Mersai Persis Omelau King Sam Fabio Siksei Kathy Sisior Chemicals and Waste Metiek Kimie Ngirchechol (Lead) Bachat Arsenio Kliu Basilius Bernice Besebes Selby Etibek Calvin Ikesiil Dr. Chris Kitalong Culture, Heritage and Awareness Kiblas Soaladaob (Lead) Umai Basilius Meked Besebes Loyola Darius Built Environment Anuradha Gupta and Charlene Mersai (Leads) Compiled from information provided by: BOT Bureau of Public Works, MPII Division of Environmental Health, MHHS EQPB OCC PALARIS PCC-CRE PCS PPUC Governance Charlene Mersai (Lead) Eunice Akiwo Umai Basilius Dr. Yimnang Golbuu Xavier Erbai Matsutaro Brenda Santos Gwen Sisior Kiblas Soaladaob 6 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Palau Foreword I’m delighted to share with you our National Environmental Management Strategy 2022-2030 (NEMS). In the past 29 years since our first NEMS, Palau has made great strides in environmental management, chief among them a suite of sustainably managed protected areas, diverse community conservation initiatives, world class marine research, and systems of cross-sector coordination and accountability. As proud as we are of these accomplishments, limited information management for cross-sector action is one of our greatest environmental constraints. The need for more comprehensive datasets and integrated plans to guide decisionmakers has never been greater, as environmental threats and impacts have increased locally and globally with changing times and changing climates. This NEMS 2022-2030 highlights interrelated national policies, environmental actions, and targets in eleven thematic areas, collated from a set of highly developed and detailed plans. In acting as an umbrella document for these thematic plans, this NEMS provides a roadmap for addressing Palau’s top concerns in a comprehensive and integrative manner and will contribute to increasingly informed environmental decision-making. The partnership of SPREP and input from Palau’s many dedicated government, nongovernment, and private sector experts were essential in developing this document. On behalf of the National Environmental Protection Council, I would like to thank all of our partners who contributed to the NEMS 2022-2030 for your hard work in accomplishing this important task. I look forward to our continued partnership as we implement these strategies to ensure sustainability in our environment. Kom kmal mesulang! Hon. Steven Victor Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment Chair, National Environmental Protection Council 7Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) SPREP Foreword Palau is highly reliant on its natural resources and environment, and environmental management is closely linked to sustainable development and its cultural and natural history. Palau has an active and diverse environmental community whose members share the desire to better coordinate and prioritize across sectors and triggered the development of this Palau National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS) 2022-2030. This Strategy is an framework document that defines Palau’s environmental priorities and actions. It implements and is consistent with existing national policies that promote sustainable development and environmental conservation. The Strategy prescribes environmental management actions in eleven sectors including climate change; land management and food security; nearshore marine management; offshore marine management; freshwater management; biodiversity conservation; waste management; chemical management; built environment; culture, heritage, and awareness; and environmental governance. I sincerely acknowledge the commitment by the Government of Palau through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment (MAFE) and the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) in endorsing the Palau NEMS. The Strategy was developed through a national consultative process with government and non-government stakeholders. It is hoped that with the implementation of the Strategy, the Palau Government and its people can continue to enjoy a cleaner and healthy environment today and into their future. I am confident that this Strategy will help the Palau Government and national, regional, and global partners plan for and mobilize support for priority actions to help better manage, protect and restore Palau’s unique environment, many of which face global and local pressures. To this end, the NEMS also includes an extensive bibliography of national policies and plans. It is thus both a guide for ongoing environmental work and financing, as well as a resource for anyone hoping to understand Palau’s diverse and active environmental community and its actions. Aligned with the Palau 2019 State of the Environment Report, this NEMS can act as a foundation for common targets and indicators in future environmental reporting. I acknowledge the financial support of the European Union and the Organisation of Asian Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) through the UNEP coordinated programme for Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environment Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP MEAs) Project Phase 3; the GEF funded UNEP INFORM Project; and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian federal government. Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra Director General SPREP 8 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) CONTENTS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................4 Palau Foreword ..........................................................................................................6 SPREP Foreword ........................................................................................................7 1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................10 1.1 Rationale for the palau national environmental management strategy ......................................................... 10 1.2 PALAU NEMS FORMULATION PROCESS ....................................................................................................... 17 1.3 MANDATE AND SCOPE OF THE NEMS .......................................................................................................... 17 1.4 GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES CONSIDERED IN THE NEMS ...................................................... 19 1.5 NEMS THEMATIC AREAS ............................................................................................................................. 22 1.6 PAST NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS ..................................................................................... 25 2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES ...........................................................................................26 2.1 LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ....................................................................................................... 26 2.2 COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 27 2.3 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE, AND INNOVATION ............................................................................. 27 2.4 INTEGRATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .................................................... 27 3. NEMS STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS ............................................................................29 THEME ONE: CLIMATE CHANGE ......................................................................................................................... 29 THEME TWO: LAND MANAGEMENT AND FOOD SECURITY .................................................................................. 32 THEME THREE: NEARSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 36 THEME FOUR: OFFSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................ 43 THEME FIVE: FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 47 THEME SIX: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ....................................................................................................... 50 THEME SEVEN: WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................. 53 THEME EIGHT: CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................... 57 THEME NINE: BUILT ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................. 61 THEME TEN: CULTURE, HERITAGE and AWARENESS ........................................................................................... 65 THEME ELEVEN: ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................. 69 4. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEWING SCHEDULE ...........................73 5. LINKS TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND STRATEGY..................................73 6. HUMAN RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS .........................................77 7. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................93 9Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) ACRONYMS ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam BAT Best Available Technology BAP Best Available Practice BIORAP Biological Rapid Assessment BMR Bureau of Marine Resources BPW Bureau of Public Works CA Conservation Area CFC Chlorofluorocarbons DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane DEH Division of Environmental Health DoA Department of Agriculture EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EQPB Environmental Quality Protection Board ERW Explosive Remnants of War ESA (Palau) Endangered Species Act E-Waste Electronic and Electrical Waste FFA Forum Fisheries Agency GHG Greenhouse Gases GMP Global Monitoring Plan HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCH Hexachlorocyclohexane HFC Hydrofluorocarbon IAS Invasive Alien Species IBA Important Bird Area IPM Integrated Pest Management IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (Fishing) MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement MIA Minimata Initial Assessment MOS Ministry of State MMA Marine Managed Areas MPA Marine Protected Area NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan NCD Non-Communicable Diseases NEMS National Environmental Management Strategy NEPC National Environmental Protection Council NGO Non-Government Organisation NSSD National Strategy for Sustainable Development ODS Ozone Depleting Substances PA Protected Area PALARIS Palau Automated Land and Resource Information System PAN Protected Areas Network PCS Palau Conservation Society PFOS Perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid PNMS Palau National Marine Sanctuary POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants PPUC Palau Public Utilities Corporation PRIP Pacific Regional Infrastructure Programme SDG Sustainable Development Goal SIDS Small Islands Developing States SoE State of the Environment SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPLA State Protected Land Area SPREP Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme TCDD Tetra chlorinated-dibenzodioxin TCDF Tetra chlorinated-dibenzofuran ULAB Used lead acid battery UN United Nations UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNDP United Nations Development Fund UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change WHO World Health Organisation 10 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 1 Introduction Palau has a very active and diverse environmental and sustainable development community, with many overlapping priorities and actions. As an island country with a small, but dedicated workforce, Palau’s environmental community is always seeking ways to align and coordinate efforts to maximise benefits in an efficient and effective manner. This National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS) 2022-2030 portrays Palau’s priorities and actions to conserve and improve its environment for current and future generations in order to enable and improve ongoing cross-sector coordination. The NEMS 2022-2030 mainstreams national policies that promote sustainable development through integrated environmental actions, conservation, and governance. This NEMS is an umbrella strategy that collates actions from sector policies and plans (Section 1.4) into one place and thus serves as a central source for environmental priorities. The policies and plans that fed into the NEMS were developed in a participatory manner, and the process to develop the NEMS was similarly participatory. Thus, the priorities listed here, and their actions, targets, and indicators, have a strong stakeholder- driven basis. The NEMS is both a guide for ongoing environmental work, including the development of new proposals, as well as a resource for anyone hoping to understand Palau’s diverse and active environmental community and its actions. 1.1 Rationale for the palau national environmental management strategy According to the Palau State of the Environment Report (SoE) 2019, the status of the Palauan environment has deteriorated in many places and for many indicators.1 This is a consequence of local threats such as increased development and global threats such as climate change. The key environmental drivers and risks include: • increased temperatures and sea-level rise; • impacts of extreme weather and tidal events, particularly tropical typhoons, storm waves and prolonged drought; • fires and soil erosion; • overexploitation of marine resources; • invasive alien species; • urban expansion and land clearing; • solid and liquid waste management; • limited infrastructure maintenance and improvement; and • gaps in governance, legislation and resourcing. 1 NEPC (2019). 2019 State of the Environment Report, Republic of Palau. National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), Government of Palau: Koror, Palau. 100 pp. The NEMS will assist the Palau Government and other national environment organisations to identify needs and prioritise actions to better manage, protect and restore Palau’s environments that are under pressure as identified by the Palau SoE 2019 (summarised below). The NEMS also identifies key stakeholders who will assist in the implementation of its programmes, which will allow better coordination of activities within, and outside, the government. 11Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Su m m ar y of 2 01 9 Pa la u St at e of th e En vi ro nm en t R ep or t2 So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy Co ra l R ee fs 1. Li ve C or al C ov er 2. Be nt hi c (m ac ro al ga l) Co ve r 3. Ju ve ni le C or al D en si ty 4. Re ef s w ith “ Hi gh ” Co ra l C ov er 5. Co ra l D is ea se 6. Co ra l G en us D iv er si ty 7. O ce an w at er te m pe ra tu re 8. Se a Le ve l R is e 9. Da m ag e to c or al f ro m t yp ho on s an d tro pi ca l st or m s 10 . M ar in e Ac id ity 11 . Ex tre m e w ea th er 12 . O ve rfi sh in g of h er bi vo re s fro m re ef s 13 . Se di m en ta tio n on to R ee fs 14 . Da m ag e fro m V is ita tio n 15 . Pe rc en ta ge o f R ee f i n No -T ak e M As 1. Ve ry P oo r t o Ve ry G oo d 2. 3. Po or to G oo d 4. Go od 5. Po or to G oo d 6. Po or to G oo d 7. 8. 9. 10 . No t m on ito re d 11 . No t m on ito re d 12 . Po or 13 . In cr ea si ng 14 . 15 . 1. St ab le / in cr ea si ng 2. St ab le / in cr ea si ng 3. 4. St ab le 5. St ab le 6. St ab le / in cr ea si ng 7. St ab le / in cr ea si ng 8. In cr ea si ng 9. In cr ea si ng 10 . In cr ea si ng 11 . Va ria bl e 12 . In cr ea si ng 13 . 14 . 15 . Po or to G oo d In cr ea se M PA s In ve st m en t i n m an ag em en t v ia P AN PN M S Re gu la te fi sh in g La nd u se p la nn in g Te rr es tri al P As Be st p ra ct ic e ag ric ul tu re Aq ua cu ltu re Re se ar ch a nd m on ito rin g Re du ce s ed im en ta tio n th ro ug h pe rm its Su st ai na bl e to ur is m p ol ic y Re du ce o ve rfi sh in g M in im is e vi si to r d am ag e 3. 1. 1 3. 1. 1 3. 1. 3 3. 3. 1, 3 .3 .2 8. 3. 1, 1 0. 4. 1 2. 1. 1 2. 5. 1, 2 .5 .2 3. 4. 3 3. 1. 2 8. 3. 1, 8 .4 .1 8. 4. 1, 5 .4 .1 3. 3. 1, 3 .4 .1 8. 4. 1 Ne ar sh or e fis he ri es 16 . Ab un da nc e of C om m er ci al ly Im po rta nt & L ar ge Fi sh 17 . Bi om as s of C om m er ci al ly Im po rta nt a nd L ar ge Fi sh 18 . Tr oc hu s 19 . Se a Cu cu m be r S ize 20 . Cl am s (o n re ef s) 21 . Se a Cu cu m be rs S to ck s 22 . Pe r c en t i m m at ur e fis h ca ug ht 23 . Si ze o f F is h Ca ug ht 24 . Sp aw ni ng P ot en tia l R at io (S PR ) o f F is h Ca ug ht 16 . 17 . Po or to F ai r 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . Po or to F ai r 22 . Po or to G oo d 23 . Va ria bl e 24 . Po or 16 . St ab le / de cr ea si ng 17 . St ab le / de cr ea si ng 18 . De cr ea si ng 19 . 20 . Va ria bl e 21 . De cr ea si ng 22 . Va ria bl e 23 . Va ria bl e 24 . Va ria bl e Ba n co m m er ci al e xp or t Pr om ot io n of lo ca l ( in cl ud in g to ur is m ) co ns um pt io n of tu na M PA s an d PA N La nd u se p la nn in g Ha bi ta t r es to ra tio n re se ar ch Re gu la te fi sh er y M an ag em en t o f M PA s to re du ce p oa ch in g PN M S 3. 3. 1 5. 4. 1, 8 .4 .1 3. 1. 1 8. 3. 3 2. 1. 4, 3 .1 .4 3. 3. 2, 3 .4 .2 3. 1. 1, 3 .3 .3 2 N E P C (2 01 9) . 2 01 9 S ta te o f t he E nv iro nm en t R ep or t, R ep ub lic o f P al au . N at io na l E nv iro nm en ta l P ro te ct io n C ou nc il (N E P C ), G ov er nm en t of P al au : K or or , P al au . 1 00 p p 12 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy 25 . Co m po si tio n of C at ch 26 . To ta l N ea rs ho re F is h Ha rv es t 27 . Di ffi cu lty in c at ch in g fis h 28 . In ve rte br at e Ha rv es t 29 . Ca tc h pe r U ni t E ffo rt (C PU E) 30 . Re ef F is he ry E xp or t ( by p as se ng er fl ig ht ) 31 . De cl in in g Re ef F is he ry P ro du ct iv ity 32 . De cl in in g Se ag ra ss C ov er 33 . De gr ad ed H ab ita ts 34 . O ve rfi sh in g 35 . Ga ps in kn ow le dg e, la w s, re gu la tio ns & in ve st m en t 36 . Ex te nt o f s us ta in ab le fi sh er ie s re gu la tio ns 37 . Co ve ra ge o f Pr ot ec te d Ar ea s in r el at io n to m ar in e ar ea 38 . M PA M an ag em en t Ef fe ct iv en es s: Ec ol og ic al im pa ct o n ne ar sh or e 39 . M PA M an ag em en t Ef fe ct iv en es s: Pe rc ei ve d So ci oe co no m ic a nd c ul tu ra l i m pa ct s 40 . Aq ua cu ltu re P ro du ct io n 41 . Fi sh er y Pr od uc tio n fro m sm al l-m ed iu m bu si ne ss es 42 . Su st ai na bl e Fi sh er ie s as p er c en t o f G DP 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 . Po or to F ai r 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 . Po or to G oo d 37 . Fa ir to G oo d 38 . Po or to G oo d 39 . Fa ir to G oo d 40 . 41 . 42 . 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . Va ria bl e 30 . 31 . De cl in in g 32 . De cl in in g 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 . 37 . 38 . 39 . 40 . 41 . 42 . Aq ua cu ltu re in ve st m en t Re so ur ce d su st ai na bl e fis he rie s m an ag em en t ( vi a BM R fu nd in g) In cr ea se d fis he rie s re se ar ch Re vi ew o f r el ev an t l eg is la tio n an d re gu la tio ns 3. 3. 3 3. 4. 3 3. 3. 3 10 .1 .3 10 .3 .2 13Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy Of fs ho re fis he ri es 43 . O ffs ho re F is he ry C at ch 44 . Fl ee t S ize a nd C om po si tio n 45 . Lo ca l u se o f o ffs ho re c at ch es 46 . O ffs ho re F is he ry B yc at ch 47 . De cl in in g O ffs ho re F is he ry P ro du ct iv ity 48 . Ill eg al , Un re po rte d, an d Un re gu la te d (IU U) Fi sh in g 49 . Un de rv al ua tio n 43 . Fa ir 44 . 45 . 46 . 47 . 48 . 49 . 43 . 44 . St ea dy 45 . In cr ea si ng 46 . 47 . De cl in in g 48 . 49 . Im pl em en t t he P NM S Re du ce d ov er fis hi ng (t hr ou gh b an o n fis hi ng in 8 0% o f E EZ ) Re se ar ch in to s to ck s tru ct ur e Im pr ov ed m on ito rin g an d en fo rc em en t t o re du ce IU U De ve lo pm en t o f c om pr eh en si ve fi sh er ie s po lic y M on ito rin g of lo ca l o ffs ho re fi sh in g bo at s Es tim at io n of m ax im um s us ta in ab le y ie ld in Do m es tic F is hi ng Z on e of P NM S 10 0% O bs er ve r c ov er ag e on T un a bo at s 3. 3. 3 3. 3. 1 3. 3. 1 3. 3. 3 10 .2 .1 3. 3. 3 3. 4. 1 3. 3. 1 Sp ec ifi c m ar in e lo ca tio ns 50 . O ng ei m ’l Tk et au (J el ly fis h La ke ) 51 . Da m ag e to sh or el in es fro m ty ph oo ns an d tro pi ca l s to rm s 52 . M ar in e In va si ve S pe ci es 53 . Cr ow di ng a t M ar in e Re cr ea tio n Si te s 50 . 51 . 52 . 53 . Fa ir 50 . 51 . 52 . 53 . In cr ea si ng Lo ng te rm m on ito rin g (a nd re se ar ch ) Sh or el in e re ve ge ta tio n (C as ua rin a, S ca ev lo a) Re du ce v is ito r n um be rs 3. 1. 2 2. 4. 2 8. 4. 2 En da ng er ed m ar in e sp ec ie s 54 . Se a Tu rtl es 55 . M es ek iu (D ug on g) 56 . Gl ob al ly a nd lo ca lly e nd an ge re d sp ec ie s 54 . 54 . 55 . 56 . Va ria bl e M PA s in clu de m an gr ov e pr ot ec tio n In cr ea se d en fo rc em en t i n PN M S an d PA N La nd u se m ap pi ng to id en tif y se a- le ve l r is e th re at s Im pl em en ta tio n of th e GE F6 in va si ve s pr oj ec t Zo ni ng o f R oc k Is la nd Cl os ur es o f J el ly fi sh la ke a s ne ed ed Re vi ew o f l aw s an d re gu la tio ns In cr ea se d re se ar ch a nd m on ito rin g 3. 1. 1 3. 3. 3 5. 3. 1, 5 .3 .2 , 5. 3. 1 3. 1. 2, 5 .2 .2 , 5. 2. 3, 5 .4 .1 10 .2 .1 , 1 0. 3. 1, 10 .3 .2 , 1 0. 4. 1 2. 1. 4, 3 .1 .4 14 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy M an gr ov es 57 . M an gr ov e Ex te nt 58 . M an gr ov e Ca rb on S to ck s 59 . Se a Le ve l Ri se , In cr ea se d Ra in fa ll, an d Ty ph oo ns 60 . Cl ea rin g an d Hu m an U se 61 . Fu ng al In fe ct io n 62 . M an gr ov e Pr ot ec te d Ar ea 55 . 56 . 57 . 58 . 59 . 60 . 57 . St ea dy 58 . 59 . 60 . 61 . 62 . Co nt ro ls o n m an gr ov e cl ea rin g Ce nt ra l d at a co lla tio n In cr ea se d m on ito rin g 8. 3. 1, 8 .3 .2 , 8. 3. 3 2. 4. 1 2. 1. 4 63 . Fo re st e xt en t a nd c ha ng e 64 . Fo re st d iv er si ty 65 . De gr ad ed a nd D is tu rb ed L an ds 66 . Tr ee D am ag e 67 . Fo re st C ar bo n 68 . Fi re 69 . Ra in fa ll Va ria bi lit y, Ty ph oo ns , a nd T em pe ra tu re 70 . Al ie n In va si ve S pe ci es 71 . Fu ng al In fe ct io n (P he lli nu s no xi us ) 72 . Un su st ai na bl e Hu m an U se 73 . Co ve ra ge of Pr ot ec te d Ar ea s re la tiv e to te rr es tri al a re a 74 . Pr ot ec te d Fr es hw at er S ite s 75 . Te rr es tri al Pr ot ec te d Ar ea M an ag em en t Ef fe ct iv en es s: P er ce iv ed 76 . En da ng er ed T er re st ria l S pe ci es in P al au 61 . Go od 62 . Go od 63 . 64 . 65 . 66 . 67 . 68 . 69 . 70 . 71 . 72 . Po or to G oo d 73 . Fa ir to G oo d 74 . Va ria bl e 63 . In cr ea se 64 . St ab le 65 . In cr ea se 66 . In cr ea se 67 . 68 . St ab le 69 . 70 . St ab le 71 . 72 . 73 . In cr ea se d 74 . 75 . In cr ea se d 76 . Te rr es tri al p ro te ct ed h ab ita ts Id en tifi ca tio n of re si lie nt a re as Id en tif yi ng e nd em ic , e nd an ge re d pl an ts , m ap pi ng e xt en t a nd th re at s Fo re st m on ito rin g Fo re st re st or at io n re se ar ch Im pr ov ed re sp on se to fi re Re se ar ch in to s av an na h fir e ec ol og y M ul tip le in va si ve c on tro l, er ad ic at io n ef fo rts Id en tifi ca tio n of fu ng al in fe ct ed a re as Up da te P al au E nd an ge re d Sp ec ie s Ac t ( ES A) Li st Co ns er va tio n Ac tio n Pl an s fo r E nd an ge re d Sp ec ie s 2. 1. 1, 2 .1 .2 , 5. 1. 1, 5 .1 .2 , 2. 1. 4, 5 .1 .1 5. 2. 1 5. 2. 1 2. 1. 4 2. 2. 1 2. 2. 1 5. 3. 1, 5 .3 .2 5. 1. 3 5. 2. 1 5. 2. 1, 5 .2 .3 15Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy Bi rd s 77 . Bi rd D iv er si ty 78 . Be lo ch el (M ic ro ne si an Im pe ria l P ig eo n) 79 . Bi ib (P al au F ru it Do ve ) 80 . M el ab ao b (R uf ou s Ni gh t H er on ) 81 . Be ka i ( M ic ro ne si an M eg ap od e) 82 . O m ek re ng uk l ( Pa la u Gr ou nd D ov e) 83 . St or m s, S ea L ev el R is e, V ar ia bi lit y 84 . Al ie n In va si ve S pe ci es 85 . Po ac hi ng & H ar as sm en t 86 . Ha bi ta t L os s an d De gr ad at io n 87 . Pr ot ec te d Bi rd A re as 75 . Go od 76 . 77 . 78 . 79 . 80 . 81 . 82 . Vu ln er ab le 83 . 84 . 85 . 77 . St ab le 78 . 79 . St ab le 80 . De cr ea se 81 . In cr ea se 82 . De cr ea se 83 . 84 . 85 . 86 . 87 . Pr ot ec te d Ar ea s (P As ) O ng oi ng re se ar ch a nd m on ito rin g pr og ra m m es Ac tiv e ro de nt e ra di ca tio n pr og ra m m es a nd ca t c on tro l O ng oi ng IA S pl an t r em ov al p ro gr am m es . De ve lo pm en t a nd Im pl em en ta tio n of M eg ap od e Co ns er va tio n Ac tio n Pl an Na tio na l L aw p ro hi bi tin g ta ki ng o f a ll bi rd s (m in us fo ur e xc lu si on s) . Pu bl ic a nd c iti ze n sc ie nt is t i nv ol ve m en t i n bi rd c on se rv at io n 5. 1. 1, 5 .1 .2 5. 2. 1, 5 .2 .2 5. 3. 1, 5 .3 .2 5. 3. 2 5. 2. 4 9. 1. 1, 1 0. 5. 1 Ea rt hm ov in g an d De ve lo pm en t 88 . Ea rth m ov in g pe rm its 89 . Ty pe o f e ar th m ov in g pe rm it 90 . Vi ol at io ns /V io la tio n Ra te 91 . En vi ro nm en ta l A ss es sm en ts /E A Ra te 92 . Ko ro r B ui ld in g Pe rm its 93 . Vi si to r Ac co m m od at io ns , Nu m be r of H ot el s/ M ot el s 86 . 87 . 88 . 89 . 90 . 91 . 88 . In cr ea se 89 . In cr ea se 90 . In cr ea se 91 . St ab le 92 . De cr ea se 93 . In cr ea se La nd u se p la nn in g 8. 3. 1, 8 .3 .2 , 8. 3. 3 W at er Re so ur ce s 94 . W at er S up pl y an d Us ag e (K or or -A ira i) 95 . Dr in ki ng W at er C ol ifo rm 96 . Dr in ki ng W at er T ur bi di ty 97 . Ac ce ss to tr ea te d w at er 98 . Ac ce ss to S an ita tio n 99 . M ar in e an d Ri ve r W at er Q ua lit y 92 . 93 . Po or to G oo d 94 . Fa ir to G oo d 95 . Go od 96 . Go od 97 . 94 . St ea dy 95 . Va ria bl e 96 . St ab le o r de cr ea se 97 . 98 . 99 . Im pl em en t m ar in e w at er q ua lit y m on ito rin g pr og ra m m e Im pr ov e fre sh w at er m on ito rin g 3. 2. 1 4. 1. 1 So lid W as te an d Re cy cl in g 10 0. S ol id W as te G en er at io n 10 1. W as te C om po si tio n 10 2. W as te S ou rc e an d Co lle ct io n, K or or 10 3. T ot al D iv er si on /R ec yc lin g Ra te 10 4. C om po st in g Am ou nt a nd R at e 10 5. B ev er ag e Co nt ai ne r a nd P la st ic R ec yc lin g 98 . Fa ir 99 . 10 0. 10 1. P oo r t o Go od 10 2. P oo r 10 3. Po or to G oo d 10 0. F ai r 10 1. 10 2. 10 3. P oo r t o Go od 10 4. P oo r 10 5. P oo r t o Go od So lid W as te A ct Ne w L an dfi ll op er at io na l In cr ea se re cy cl in g ra te s In cr ea se c om po st in g ra te s 6. 1. 1 6. 2. 1 6. 3. 1 6. 4. 1 16 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) So E Th em e So E In di ca to rs ( R ED s ig ni fie s in di ca to r of c on ce rn ) So E St at us Tr en d So E Re sp on se a nd R ec om m en da tio ns NE M S St ra te gy Ag ri cu ltu re 10 6. A gr ic ul tu ra l P ro du ct io n an d Co ns um pt io n 10 7. P ar tic ip at io n in th e Ag ric ul tu re S ec to r 10 4. 10 5. 10 6. In cr ea se 10 7. In cr ea se Im pr ov ed m on ito rin g of a gr ic ul tu ra l pr od uc tio n, lo ca l u se , a nd lo ca l d em an d, in cl ud in g in pu ts , o ut pu ts , a nd lo ss es 2. 5. 1, 2 .5 .2 En er gy Se ct or a nd Tr an sp or ta tio n 10 8. T ot al E ne rg y/ El ec tri ci ty C on su m pt io n 10 9. R en ew ab le E ne rg y 11 0. E ne rg y Ef fic ie nc y 11 1. V eh ic le s/ Im po rts 10 6. 10 7. P oo r t o Fa ir 10 8. 10 9. 10 8. In cr ea se 10 9. In cr ea se 11 0. In cr ea se 11 1. De cr ea se G HG e m is si on s De cr ea se fu el a nd e le ct ric ity c on su m pt io n In cr ea se th e % o f e le ct ric al e ne rg y ge ne ra te d fro m re ne w ab le s De cr ea se c ar im po rts Im pr ov e na tio na l e ne rg y ef fic ie nc y 1. 6. 1 1. 5. 2, 1. 5. 3 1. 5. 1 1. 5. 2 Aw ar en es s an d Ca pa ci ty 11 2. P ub lic A w ar en es s 11 3. P ub lic P ar tic ip at io n in E nv iro nm en t 11 4. C ap ac ity B ui ld in g 11 0. G oo d 11 1. P oo r t o Fa ir 11 2. F ai r 11 2. 11 3. P oo r t o Fa ir 11 4. In cr ea se In ve st m en t i n pu bl ic p ar tic ip at io n in en vi ro nm en ta l a ct iv iti es a nd d ec is io n m ak in g Ta rg et ed o ut re ac h to k ey s ta ke ho ld er s 9. 4. 1, 9 .4 .2 , 10 .5 .1 9. 1. 1, 9 .2 .1 , 9. 3. 1 17Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 1.2 PALAU NEMS FORMULATION PROCESS The Government of Palau sought assistance in 2021 for the development of the NEMS from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), who contracted an international consultant to formulate the NEMS in a series of steps: 1. Contracting of the external consultant by SPREP (September 2021); 2. An Inception meeting with SPREP, the Government of Palau and the consultant to define the scope of the work (September 2021); 3. A desktop review and analysis of issues identified by national environmental status and policy reports (see 1.4) was used to develop the first draft of the Palau NEMS (February 2022); 4. Distribution of the first draft to the Working Group for input and review (February 2022); 5. Distribution of an updated NEMS to stakeholders for input and review (March 2022); 6. National stakeholder consultation workshops to incorporate feedback (May-October 2022); 7. A penultimate draft NEMS incorporating stakeholder comments and additional priorities was distributed for final review (September 2022); and 8. Submission of the final draft NEMS to SPREP and the Palau Government for endorsement (November 2022). The majority of priorities listed in the NEMS are found in existing government policies and plans (Section 1.4). However, during consultations (step vi), new priorities were added, with stakeholder agreement. This NEMS thus reflects stakeholder- driven environmental priorities, and their actions, targets, and indicators, as of October 2022. 1.3 MANDATE AND SCOPE OF THE NEMS The NEMS aims to strengthen the national, regional and international coordination of the government’s efforts to cope with the nation’s complex environmental issues. The implementation of the NEMS will be coordinated and monitored by National Environment Protection Council (NEPC). The NEMS (2022-2030) is consistent with all major government policies, strategies and regulations introduced over the last 15 years relating to national sustainable development and environmental management and was developed and expanded from the issues identified in these reports through stakeholder consultation and review (see 1.4 below). Specifically, Title 24 of the Palau National Code is dedicated to environmental legislation3. The three Divisions most relevant to environmental protection are: • Division 1 (Environmental Quality) which encompasses the Environmental Quality Protection Act, and Provides for the establishment, functions and operation of the Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB). EQPB is responsible for the management of drinking water supplies, waste management, earth moving and a permitting system for pollution management. • Division 2 (Wildlife Protection) provides a framework legislation concerning endangered species and includes an Endangered Species Act (Chapter 10) providing for both animal and plant endangered species. Protected sea-life sub chapters include turtles, sponges, pearl shell, dugong, trochus and clams. Chapter 13 deals with illegal 3 SPREP (2018). Palau: Review of natural resource and environment related legislation. 16pp. fishing methods, including the use of explosives, poisons and chemicals, and Chapter 14 covers protected land life which is restricted to the conservation of birds (except for four other species). Chapter 34 provides the Protected Areas Network (PAN) Act. • Division 3 (Preserves and Protected Areas) covers the two legally protected areas in Palau, the Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Reserve and the Ngerumekaol Spawning Area. Title 27 of the Palau National Code enacts its own fishery zone legislation to manage, conserve, and regulate the harvesting of fish throughout their habitat, both within the reef areas of islands and atolls, and in other areas within the jurisdictional competence of the Republic. The Act provides for the establishment of a Palau Maritime Authority and the definition of Fishery Zones. The access of foreign fishing companies is also regulated by the Act through a licence scheme. The law provides penalties and enforcement powers to the authority. Title 31 of the Palau National Code incorporates the Trust Territory Land Planning Act which provides the current basis for land use planning. The Act requires the inclusion of conservation elements as part of planning for the conservation, development, use and protection of natural resources, including forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals and other natural resources. The conservation element may also cover reclamation of land and waters, flood control, prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters, prevention, control and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches and shores, and protection of watersheds. 18 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Rock Islands, Palau. Credit: © Stuart Chape 19Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 1.4 GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES CONSIDERED IN THE NEMS The following recent government policies, strategies and supporting documents were used to guide development of the NEMS: Climate Change • Miles, W., Z. Grecni, E. Matsutaro, P. Colin, V. Keener, Y. Golbuu, et al., (2020): Climate Change in Palau: Indicators and Considerations for Key Sectors. Report for the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment. Honolulu, HI: East- West Center, • https://www.eastwestcenter.org/PIRCA-Palau. • Republic of Palau (2009). Strategic Action Plan Energy Sector. A Framework for the Implementation of Palau’s National Energy Policy. Palau Energy Policy Development Working Group Koror, Republic of Palau. 51pp. • Republic of Palau (2010). National Energy Policy. Palau Energy Policy Development Working Group, Koror, Republic of Palau.13 pp. • Republic of Palau (2010). National disaster and risk management framework 2010 (amended 2016). 67pp. • Republic of Palau (2013). Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, September 2013. 98pp. • Republic of Palau (2015). Palau Climate Change Policy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development. 56pp. • Republic of Palau (2015). Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. November 2015. Office of the President. 5pp. • UNEP (2016). The Kigali Amendment (2016): The amendment to the Montreal Protocol agreed by the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the Parties (Kigali, 10-15 October 2016). 10pp. Land Management and Food Security • ADB (2017). Private sector assessment for Palau: Policies for sustainable growth revisited. Asian Development Bank. 69 pp. • Kitalong, Sengebau, & Holm (2015). Achieving Resilient Agriculture and Aquaculture: A national policy for strengthening food security in Palau as a priority climate change adaptation measure. 35pp. • Palau Agriculture and Forestry (2021). State and Private Forestry Fact Sheet, Palau 2021. 3pp. https://apps. fs.usda.gov/nicportal/temppdf/sfs/naweb/PW std.pdf • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (2021) Triple Bottom Line Strategic Plan: People, Palau, and Prosperity 2021-2024. 24pp. • Republic of Palau (2000) The Palau Mangrove Management Plan (Volume 1). W.D. Metz. Bureau of Natural Resources and Development. 130pp. • Republic of Palau (2000). National report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. 4pp • Republic of Palau (2004). National Action Program to Combat Land Degradation. 36pp. • Republic of Palau Republic of Palau (2010). Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources and Resource Strategy: A comprehensive analysis of forest-related conditions, trends, threats and opportunities. Bureau of Agriculture. 106pp. • Republic of Palau (2012). The Sustainable Land Management Policy of the Republic of Palau. 13pp. • Republic of Palau (2012). The Water Policy for the Republic of Palau. 7pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Protected Areas Network (PAN) Status Report 2003-2015. 29pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Protected Areas Network (PAN) Status Report 2003-2015. Appendix. 17pp. • Republic of Palau (2017). Palau Trade and Investment Policy Framework, 2017-2020. 72pp. • Republic of Palau (2018). Sustainable Forest Management Policy. 32pp. • Republic of Palau (2021). The 2021-2030 Republic of Palau Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources and Resource Strategy (SWARS) (Palau Forest Action Plan). 174pp. • Republic of Palau (2021). Pathways to Sustainable Food Systems in Palau • #KeledaNgercheled (Our food is our responsibility). 26pp. • Stuart Raetz (2017). Survey and Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Final Evaluation (Final Report). Cleared Ground Demining (CGD). 44pp. Nearshore Marine Management • Friedlander AM, Golbuu Y, Caselle JE, Ballesteros E, Letessier TB, Meeuwig JJ, Gouezo M, Olsudong D, Turchik A, Sala E. (2014). Marine biodiversity and protected areas in Palau: Scientific report to the government of the Republic of Palau. 47pp. • Friedlander et al. (2017). Size, age, and habitat determine effectiveness of Palau’s Marine Protected Areas. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174787 • Gouezo et al. (2021). Koror Southern Lagoon Coastal Fisheries Management Plan 2021. Palau Conservation Society. 109pp. 20 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) • Johannes et al. (1999). Spawning aggregations of groupers (Serranidae) in Palau The Nature Conservancy Marine Research Series Publication No. 1.156pp. • Republic of Palau (2000) The Palau Mangrove Management Plan (Volume 1). W.D. Metz. Bureau of Natural Resources and Development. 130pp. • Republic of Palau (2009). National Aquaculture Strategy Draft-28 July 2009. • Republic of Palau (2015). Achieving Resilient Agriculture and Aquaculture: A national policy for strengthening food security in Palau as a priority climate change adaptation measure. 35pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Exclusive Economic Zone Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance: The Next Five Years 2016–2021. 60pp. • Republic of Palau (2017). Tuna Fisheries Strategic Plan 2017–2021. 16pp. • Republic of Palau (2019). Strategic Plan to Ensure a Pristine Paradise Destination 2019-2023. 74pp. Offshore Marine Management • Republic of Palau. (1994). Title 27. Fishing. • Republic of Palau (2003). Republic of Palau Public Law 6-36: Foreign takings of reef fish, etc.; steel leaders; harmonize with UNCLOS; and more • Republic of Palau (2015). Republic of Palau Public Law 9-45: Increase of Illegal Foreign Fishing Penalty. • Republic of Palau (2015). Republic of Palau Public Law 9-49: Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act. • Republic of Palau (2019). Republic of Palau Public Law 10-35: Amendment to the PNMS Act. • Republic of Palau (2022???). Republic of Palau Public Law 11-23: MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING? BUDGET ACT?. • Republic of Palau (2022???). Republic of Palau Public Law 11-25: ALLOW EXPERIMENTAL/RESEARCH FISHING??? • Office of the President (2019). Presidential Directive 19- 36: “Choose Pelagics.” • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (2021) Triple Bottom Line Strategic Plan: People, Palau, and Prosperity 2021-2024. 24pp. • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (2022). Blue Prosperity Plan: provide and protect. 16pp. • Republic of Palau (2017). Palau National Marine Sanctuary 5 Year Strategic Plan 2017-2021: Sustaining Palau’s oceanic resources for environmental and social wellbeing. 22pp. • Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism (2017). Tuna Fisheries Strategic Plan 2017-2021. 16pp. • Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism (2020). Palau Nationwide Anchored Fish Aggregation Device (aFAD) Program Strategic Plan 2020-2023. 14pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). The Republic of Palau Exclusive Economic Zone: Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS). The Next Five Years 2016-2021. 60pp. • Palau Conservation Society (2016). The Republic of Palau Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. • Palau International Coral Reef Center and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (2019). Palau’s National Marine Sanctuary: Managing Ocean Change and Supporting Food Security. Appendix D: PNMS Science Plan Summary. Pp D1-7. • Republic of Palau (2015). Palau Climate Change Policy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development. 56pp. • Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism (2019). Bureau of Tourism Strategic Plan 2019-2023: To ensure a Pristine Paradise destination. 74pp. • Republic of Palau (2017). Palau Responsible Tourism Policy Framework: Ensuring a Pristine Paradise Palau for everyone 2017-2021. 45pp. • Palau International Coral Reef Center (2022). DRAFT 2023-2028 PNMS Strategic Plan. Unpublished. • Palau International Coral Reef Center (2021). DRAFT PNMS Communications & Engagement Plan. Unpublished. Freshwater Management • Golbuu et al. (2011). Effects of Land-Use Change on Characteristics and Dynamics of Watershed Discharges in Babeldaob, Palau, Micronesia. Journal of Marine Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/981273 • Mesebeluu, L. (2021) Melekeok Conservation Network In Situ Water Quality Monitoring Report Palau. Suva, Fiji SPC, 33pp. • Michael and Jaensch (2014). Directory of Wetlands of Palau. SPREP. 91pp. • Republic of Palau (2012). The Water Policy for the Republic of Palau. 7pp. • SOPAC (2007). National Integrated Water Resource Management Diagnostic Report Palau. SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 642. 64 pp. Biodiversity • Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (2021) Triple Bottom Line Strategic Plan: People, Palau, and Prosperity 2021-2024. 24pp. 21Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) • NEPC (2019). 2019 State of the Environment Report, Republic of Palau. National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), Government of Palau: Koror, Palau. 100 pp. • NEPC (2004). Palau National Invasive Species Strategy (2004). National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), Government of Palau: Koror, Palau. 34pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. • Republic of Palau (2019). Republic of Palau’s 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. 66pp. • Republic of Palau (2022). NISSAP: Palau National Invasive Species Strategic Action Plan (2022–2027). 12pp. Waste and Chemical Management • APWC (2020). Palau – Waste Audit Report Analysis of waste generation, recycling and disposal data collected in November 2019. 165pp. • GHD (2017). Pesticide Container Management in the Pacific Palau Baseline Survey Report. SPREP. 30pp. • Republic of Palau (2010). National spill contingency plan “ Natplan ” for the Republic of Palau. 83pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Standard operating procedure for EQPB responses to land-based hazardous material releases in Palau. 25pp. • Republic of Palau (2019). National Solid Waste Management Strategy: The Roadmap towards a Clean and Safe Palau (2017 to 2026). 62pp. • Republic of Palau (2021). National Implementation Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants. 75pp. • SPREP (2014). Baseline Study for the Pacific Hazardous Waste Management Project - Healthcare Waste The collection, collation, and review of data on the management of healthcare waste and best-practice options for its disposal in participating Pacific Island Countries: Palau. 64pp. • United Nations (2015). Global monitoring Plan for persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention Article 16 on effectiveness evaluation. Second regional monitoring report Annex Asia-Pacific region. 134pp. Built Environment • ADB (2020). Proposed Programmatic Approach and Policy- Based Loan for Subprogram 1 and Technical Assistance Grant Republic of Palau: Palau Public Utilities Corporation Reform Program. 14pp. • Barr et al. (2016). Sustainable tourism pathways for Palau: findings and recommendations from a cross-sectoral workshop. Discussion Paper No 16, Conservation Strategy Fund. 26pp. • Environmental Quality Protection Board (2021) Safeguarding our Environment to Ensure our Wellbeing: Strategic Plan 2021-2025. 25pp. • Republic of Palau (2004). Palau National Environmental Health Action Plan (NEHAP) 2004-2007. 28pp. • Republic of Palau (2010). National Energy Policy. Palau Energy Policy Development Working Group, Koror, Republic of Palau.13 pp. • Republic of Palau (2012). Sanitation Master Plan Report. GHD. 112pp. • Republic of Palau (2012). The Water Policy for the Republic of Palau. 7pp. • Republic of Palau (2015). Palau Climate Change Policy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development. 56pp. • Republic of Palau (2019). Strategic Plan to Ensure a Pristine Paradise Destination 2019-2023. 74pp. • Republic of Palau (2020). Koror-Babeldaob Island Resilient Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan. Volume I: Main Report. 78pp. • Republic of Palau (2021). Palau National Infrastructure Investment Plan (2021-2030). 103pp. • Palau Automated Land and Resource Information System (PALARIS) (2022) Strategic Plan FY2023-2028. Culture, Heritage and Awareness • Republic of Palau (2010). Mauritius +5 Status Report: Republic of Palau. ESCAP. 144pp. • Republic of Palau (2011). Cultural Mapping. 38pp. • Republic of Palau (undated). Cultural Policy: Palau National Policy on Culture 2012-2021. 26pp. Environmental Governance • Republic of Palau (1996). 2020: National Master Development Plan: Issues, options and strategies for Palau’s development. • Republic of Palau (2008). Actions for Palau’s Future: The Medium-Term Development Strategy 2009 to 2014. 303pp. • Republic of Palau (2015). Palau Climate Change Policy for Climate and Disaster Resilient Low Emissions Development. 56pp. • Republic of Palau (2016). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. 22 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) • Republic of Palau (2018). National Gender Mainstreaming Policy. 12pp. • Republic of Palau (2018). Executive Order No. 419: Establishing a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. December 28, 2018. 3pp. • Republic of Palau (2019). Pathway to 2030: Progressing with our past towards a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future. 107pp. • Republic of Palau (2020). KOROR-BABELDAOB ISLAND Resilient Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan. 78pp. • Republic of Palau (2020). Gender and Natural Resources Report 2020. 59pp. • Republic of Palau (2020). Gender and Natural Resources: Marine resources. https://drive.google.com/file/d/15 ixFXqmyNcCtrxGgb0bONCANdjr1LCG/view • Republic of Palau (2021). Safeguarding our Environment to Ensure our Wellbeing. Environmental Quality Protection Board Strategic Plan. 25pp. • SPREP (2018). Palau: Review of natural resource and environment related legislation. 16pp. • Townsend (2007). Environmental Review and Stock-take Report. ADB. 86pp. 1.5 NEMS THEMATIC AREAS The National Environmental Management Strategy encompasses ten thematic areas derived from relevant national environment related policy and strategies. The thematic and strategic focus areas are presented below. Environment Theme Strategic Focus Area 1. Climate Change 1.1 Strategic planning for climate change impacts 1.2 Adaptation to Climate Change impacts 1.3 Climate finance mechanisms 1.4 International advocate for climate justice 1.5 Transition to renewable energy 1.6 Reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions 1.7 Reduction in use of Ozone Depleting Substances 2. Land Management and Food Security 2.1 Land use planning and zoning 2.2 Food security 2.3 Protection of water supplies 2.4 Soil management 2.5 Forest management 2.6 Expansion and management of PAN 2.7 Savannah grassland management 2.8 Coastal vegetation management 2.9 Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) 23Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Environment Theme Strategic Focus Area 3. Nearshore Marine Management 3.1 Data collection, sharing, and feedback systems 3.2 Marine spatial planning 3.3 Nearshore fisheries management – Improve status of nearshore fisheries (finfish and invertebrates) and increase value of fisheries products 3.4 Aquaculture management 3.5 Marine Protected Area management and expansion 3.6 Mangrove management 3.7 Coral Reef management 3.8 Tourism outside of Koror (Babeldaob, Outer Islands, and offshore) 3.9 Improved management of Koror’s World Heritage Site 3.10 Management of marine water quality 3.11 Protection and maintenance of marine biodiversity 4. Offshore Marine Management 4.1 Administration and Coordination 4.2 Sustainable Domestic Pelagic Fishery 4.3 Safe and Secure EEZ 4.4 Communications, Information, and Awareness 4.5 Economic stability and branding 4.6 Maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions 5. Freshwater Management 5.1 Catchment management and protection 5.2 Freshwater supply management 5.3 Freshwater monitoring 5.4 Estuarine habitat protection 5.5 Freshwater lake protection 6. Biodiversity Conservation 6.1 Endangered species protection 6.2 Invasive species management and control 6.3 Protected Areas Network expansion and management 6.4 Environmental reporting 6.5 Biodiversity mainstreaming 7. Waste Management 7.1 Improved national waste management 7.2 Improved landfill operations 7.3 Recycling 7.4 Composting 7.5 Hazardous waste management 7.6 Disaster waste management 7.7 Marine Plastic 8. Chemical Management 8.1 National chemical management strategy 8.2 Management of priority obsolete chemicals 8.3 Contaminated site management 8.4 Oil spill management 8.5 Management of other priority chemicals 8.6 Chemical monitoring and reporting 24 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Rock Islands, Palau. Credit: © Stuart Chape 25Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Environment Theme Strategic Focus Area 9. Built Environment 9.1 Climate-resilient building codes in line with land use planning and zoning 9.2 Water management 9.3 Improved sanitation 9.4 Reduce impacts from development and construction 9.5 Climate-proof sustainable infrastructure and construction program 9.6 Sustainable tourism 10. Culture, Heritage and Awareness 10.1 Traditional knowledge 10.2 Protection of Palauan heritage 10.3 Community education and awareness 10.4 Professional training and awareness 11. Environmental Governance 11.1 Sustainable Financing 11.2 Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation 11.3 Environmental Legislative Framework development and review 11.4 Environmental Policy and Strategy development and review 11.5 Capacity Building 11.6 Compliance and Enforcement 11.7 Stakeholder Engagement and Participatory Decision making 11.8 Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming 11.9 Communications and Knowledge Management 1.6 PAST NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS Palau is a world leader in many conservation initiatives. These include the Palau Protected Areas Network, the Palau National Marine Sanctuary4 and creation of the world’s first “shark sanctuary” in 2009. The shark sanctuary protects sharks across 600,000 km2 of ocean. The Protected Areas Network includes marine and terrestrial protected areas and helps to ensure the long-term sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. Local communities are empowered to undertake scientific and social assessment of their local network environments and the 4 https://www.futurepolicy.org/oceans/palaus-protected-areas-network-act/ network also supports traditional systems of natural resource management. To date, 35 protected areas have been designated, including reefs, lagoons, mangroves and a sardine sanctuary. In 2015, the Palau National Congress designated 457,077 km2 of Palau’s ocean as a fully protected national marine sanctuary. This elevated Palau as a global leader in efforts to establish “no-take” marine protected areas, where all extractive activities such as fishing, and mining are prohibited. The Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) now makes up 80 per cent of Palau’s territorial waters. 26 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES This NEMS is guided by five key principles, which are: leadership and good governance; collective responsibility for the environment; indigenous knowledge, practices and innovations; integration of environmental protection and development, and gender and social equity. 2.1 LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE The Palauan Government will lead efforts to protect, manage and promote the sustainable use of the country’s environment and its natural resources. This implies upholding good governance practices of transparency, accountability, shared responsibility, and equity in the consideration of environmental requirements in development practices. It respects everyone’s right to a clean and healthy environment. It also recognises key principles for respecting the needs and capacities of the natural environment such as the precautionary, polluter pays and carrying capacity principles. The Precautionary Principle proclaims that “In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost- effective measures to prevent environmental degradation”.5 The Polluter Pays Principle means that populations are justly responsible for the waste and pollution they generate either directly or through payments for the available mitigation and 5 United Nations (1992). Rio declaration on environment and development management services.6 The principle extends to society’s responsibility to pay for the programmes that help to replenish, restore, and rehabilitate natural resources and the environment that were exploited or degraded through past development activities. The Carrying Capacity of a region, comprising its supportive and assimilative capacities, is defined as the ability to produce desired outputs from a constrained resource base to achieve a higher and more equitable quality of life, while maintaining desired environmental quality, and ecological health.7 Development should respect the limits of the carrying capacities of its hosting environment if it is to achieve a more sustainable pathway. 6 OECD (1992). The polluter-pays principle: OECD analyses and recommendations. 49pp. 7 Khanna et al. (1999). Carrying-capacity as a basis for sustainable development a case study of National Capital Region in India. Progress in Planning 52 (2), 101-166. Spearfisher in Palau. Credit: © The Ocean Agency Landscape 27Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 2.2 COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Protection, management and sustainable use of the environment and its goods and services are generally accepted as everyone’s responsibility. This is carried out at the individual and collective levels. This principle recognises everyone has a responsibility for the environment. It also recognises the relevant roles and influences that all sectors and institutions of society have in contributing to the protection and management of the Palau environment and its goods and services. 2.3 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE, AND INNOVATION Palau has developed valuable indigenous knowledge and practices. These can contribute positively to the sustainable use and effective management of natural resources and the environment. These traditions and practices are also important elements of Palauan culture and heritage that form national identity. 2.4 INTEGRATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT This principle recognises that environmental protection can complement sustainable development. It recognises the challenges in balancing the needs of the environment and the development needs of human society in Palau. It is vital that economic and physical development is linked with environmental protection, to facilitate long-term sustainability. This principle emphasises the importance of credible scientific information to support the integration of environment protection into development planning and implementation. It also recognises appropriate value systems of the people of Palau that promote the integrity of the environment. 2.5 GENDER AND SOCIAL EQUITY It is critical that selective, adverse environmental impacts on vulnerable people are eliminated. This can be achieved through increased active participation in biodiversity protection and ecosystem and environmental management by women, and in decision making bodies and through cross-sectoral approaches. Gender and social considerations must also be considered in ecosystem valuation, budget, and planning reviews using gender disaggregated data to ensure that all groups benefit equitably from investments in ecosystems and the environment. 28 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 3. NEMS STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS THEME ONE: CLIMATE CHANGE Rock Islands, Southern Lagoon, Palau. Credit: © Stuart Chape 29Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 3. NEMS STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS THEME ONE: CLIMATE CHANGE BACKGROUND Palau, like many other Pacific Islands, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, principally from sea level rise and an increased frequency of extreme weather events (particularly flooding, and Category 4 and 5 typhoons).8,9 Sea level rise threatens vital infrastructure, settlements, and facilities that support the livelihoods of island communities. Ocean warming and acidification will heavily impact coral reefs, fisheries, and other marine-based resources crucial to local livelihoods, economy and culture. Climate change impacts are also predicted to exacerbate the existing adverse impacts from soil erosion, saltwater intrusion, flooding, and disease and pests to national forestry and agriculture.10 Risks and impacts vary by location and habitat. Land and coral reefs on Palau’s exposed east coasts and northern peninsula and islands have seen the most severe impacts from typhoons, and seagrass beds on the west coast are facing the cumulative impacts of extreme-weather driven erosion. National climate change responses are focused on adaptation, mitigation and risk management climate change strategies for natural environments and human settlements and infrastructure and are also included directly and indirectly across many other NEMS thematic areas. 8 Government of Palau (2010). National disaster and risk management framework 2010 (amended 2016). 67pp. 9 Republic of Palau (2015). Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. November 2015. Office of the President. 5pp 10 Miles, W., Z. Grecni, E. Matsutaro, P. Colin, V. Keener, Y. Golbuu, et al., (2020): Climate Change in Palau: Indicators and Considerations for Key Sectors. Report for the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center, https://www.eastwestcenter.org/PIRCA-Palau NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 1.1 Strategic planning for climate change impacts 1.2 Adaptation to Climate Change impacts 1.3 Climate finance mechanisms 1.4 International advocate for climate justice 1.5 Transition to renewable energy 1.6 Reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions 1.7 Reduction in use of Ozone Depleting Substances NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 1.1.1 Inclusive strategic and spatial planning for climate change impacts link national and international policies to state plans National strategy for climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management implemented, minimising impact to the environment through maximising Nature-based Solutions National plan completed and endorsed by the Palau Government by 2025 OCC States/State Planning Commissions 1.1.2 Update Disaster Framework and Contingency Plans All aspects of climate assessment and preparedness planning is socially equitable and inclusive, and risks like fire, landslides, and flooding are minimised Climate and disaster risk modelling, maps, and planning is inclusive of gender and social vulnerability OCC NEMO 1.1.3 Holistic Climate Change science Science on human and environmental dimensions of climate change guiding national policy and planning is locally relevant Locally relevant climate science is continually generated to guide and update national planning initiatives OCC PICRC (marine) BNM (land) 1.1.4 Define Vulnerable People and mainstream their specific risks and needs into plans Adaptation, resilience, disaster risk, and mitigation plans are inclusive and benefit the most vulnerable Specific strategies for agreed vulnerable groups OCC, MHRCTD, MHHR, MOF, MAFE, MOJ 30 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 1.2.1 National adaptation actions continued Adaptation outcomes prioritised in environmental, agriculture, food security, public health, disaster management, and infrastructure programmes; protected areas gaps filled, and high-risk areas and habitats prioritised Implemented programmes increase national adaptation capacity and priority coastal habitats provide climate services OCC MAFE 1.3.1 International climate finance secured and channelled to communities Vastly increased Climate Finance secured to implement national, state, and community adaptation and mitigation projects International resources accessed to implement low- emission and climate- resilient projects and programmes OCC MAFE 1.4.1 Continued visibility in international climate negotiation fora Key climate information concerning international responsibility for Palau’s future is made obvious to international delegates, with increasing support for adaptation funding and Loss and Damage Palau continues to have an impact in international Climate negotiations OCC MAFE Office of the President 1.5.1 Electricity generated through renewable technologies 100% of power generation through diversified renewable resources by 2032 Annual increase in renewable electricity generation rates OCC PPUC Palau Energy Administration (MPII) 1.6.1 An economy wide reduction in GHG emissions particularly through energy, transportation, and waste sectors 22% reduction in energy sector GHG emissions compared with 2005 levels by 2025 Annual reduction in national GHG emissions OCC 1.6.2 A reduction in national energy consumption 30% reduction in overall national energy consumption by 2025 Annual reduction in national energy consumption OCC PPUC 1.6.3 Fuel use reduction in the national transport sector Fuel use reduction in the national land and sea transport sector Annual fuel use reduction in the transport sector OCC PPUC MPII 1.6.4 Set up carbon sequestration and ecosystem services schemes to offset carbon using Palau’s carbon calculator. Palau is a carbon neutral tourist destination and high sequestering habitats such as mangroves, forests, and seagrass are protected or restored Tourists offset carbon emissions by funding national carbon sequestration initiatives BOT PVA MAFE 1.7.1 Minimisation of annual imported quantities of HFCs Reduction in annual HFC importation rates HFC consumption reduced by 40% of baseline quantities by 202411 EQPB 11 Baselines will be calculated from past HCFC consumption baselines plus HFC consumption in 2020-2022. (Kigali Amendment, 2016) 31Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME TWO: LAND MANAGEMENT AND FOOD SECURITY Taro Beetlenut Palau. Credit: © David Moverley 32 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME TWO: LAND MANAGEMENT AND FOOD SECURITY BACKGROUND Land management is broken into two categories: 1) Protected/Conservation areas, and 2) sustainable land management, targeting all other lands outside of protected areas. Many protected areas fall under Palau’s Protected Areas Network (PAN) and are recognised internationally.12 In 2019, there were 61 protected areas, 20 of which included a terrestrial element and 15 of which had some mangrove. Sixteen terrestrial and nine mangrove protected sites were in the PAN. This included 22 km2 of mangrove forest (approximately 46% of Palau’s total mangroves) and 90 km2 of terrestrial habitat (approximately 22% of Palau’s total terrestrial habitat). Approximately 25% of Palau’s land area, mainly on the island of Babeldaob, is moderately to steeply sloping grasslands which are susceptible to soil erosion and fire. The cycle of burning and erosion degrades the land and has deleterious effects on low-lying areas, surface water sources, mangrove forests, the lagoon, and eventually, coral reefs.13 Palau has prioritised achieving food security by 2030. Governance and technical issues hamper food security and the development of the agriculture sector in Palau. These issues include a lack of coordinated land-use planning, issues with land tenure, presence of invasive species, high costs and risks, and high labour and soil inputs needed to increase soil fertility. Agricultural development in Palau requires a coherent and long-term strategy that is owned and institutionally supported by the various organisations involved in the sector.14 The island of Babeldaob is a priority for development, which is currently occurring without any land use planning and leading to loss of natural habitats such as forests. An estimated total of 2,800 tons (2.8 million kg) of ordnance was dropped or fired on Palau during the Second World War and are an ongoing environmental and human health hazard.15 Only a fraction of the explosive remnants of war have been removed from the landscape.16 12 Republic of Palau (2016). Protected Areas Network (PAN) Status Report 2003-2015. 29pp 13 Republic of Palau (2000). National report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. 4pp. 14 ADB (2017). Private sector assessment for Palau: Policies for sustainable growth revisited. 69 pp. 15 https://www.mineactionreview.org/assets/downloads/Palau Clearing the Mines 2017.pdf 16 Stuart Raetz (2017). Survey and Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Final Evaluation (Final Report). Cleared Ground Demining (CGD). 44pp. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 2.1 Land use planning and zoning 2.2 Food security 2.3 Protection of water supplies 2.4 Soil management 2.5 Forest management 2.6 Expansion and management of PAN 2.7 Savannah grassland management 2.8 Coastal vegetation management 2.9 Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 2.1.1 Integrated land use planning and zoning Sustainable development of land for agriculture, settlement, and commercial and tourism enterprises State Master Plan for equitable and integrated land-use planning and sustainable land use PALARIS States / State Planning Commissions 2.1.2 Increased access to land resources Public access to land and water resources increased Expansion of equitable public leasing programmes across Palau State Public Land Authorities MAFE 2.1.3 Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Home, commercial, tourism, and agricultural development proceeds with minimal impact on the environment Decreasing sedimentation and loss of habitat due to development and maintained permeability in developed areas EQPB MAFE 33Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 2.2.1 National agriculture strategy Food production tripled by 2030 Annually increased yields of local vegetable and root crops, fruit and livestock production 17 MAFE BOA 2.2.2 Local sustainable organic food production Local organic food production increases Increasing number of organic certified foods, farms, and products MAFE BOA 2.2.3 Agricultural biodiversity preservation Best practice agriculture implemented Farming practices prioritise agrobiodiversity conservation MAFE BOA PCC-CRE 2.2.4 Prevention and control of invasive alien species and invasive species Biosecurity keeps new invasive alien species out of Palau and invasive species control minimises spread Invasive species control enables increasing fruit production MAFE BOA MAFE BOE 2.3.1 Protection of high-quality agricultural soils, soil enhancement, and erosion control Productive soils are maintained and increased Soil management, amendment, carbon sequestration, and erosion controls implemented MAFE BOA EQPB 2.4.1 Protection of water supplies Water supply quality and quantity maintained or improved through integrated hydrological planning Best practices followed in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and in waste and wastewater disposal MAFE PPUC EQPB 2.5.1 Protection of forests Forests managed sustainably for multiple outcomes Forest resources managed to protect biodiversity, water supplies and cultural significance MAFE BNM 2.5.2 Forest monitoring and restoration research Research and monitoring guides sustainable forest management Terrestrial monitoring protocol for PAN sites is developed and implemented MAFE BNM 2.6.1 Expansion of Protected Areas Network (PAN) All key terrestrial habitat types and 30% of terrestrial resources represented in PAN by 2030 Beach strand, raised coralline atoll, swamp forest, and bird aggregation sites added to PAN by 2025 18 MAFE PAN Office States 2.6.2 PAN Enforcement Ecological integrity and biodiversity protected in PAN National Enforcement officers and PAN Rangers enforce relevant State and National Laws MAFE PAN MOJ States 2.7.1 Management of fire in Savannah landscapes Risk of wildfire impacts minimised Fire-degraded lands are rehabilitated MAFE PAN MOJ (Bureau of Public Safety) 17 OOC commitment 18 NEPC (2019). 2019 State of the Environment Report, Republic of Palau. National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), Government of Palau: Koror, Palau. Page 61 Taro beetlenut, Palau. Credit: DM 34 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 2.8.1 Management and conservation of mangrove forests Areal extent of mangrove forested area remains stable Increasing use of Nature- based solutions for climate adaptation and shoreline protection MAFE PICRC BNM 2.8.2 Coastal re-planting programmes Shorelines protected from wave action Shoreline revegetated with appropriate species (e.g. Casuarina, Scaevloa) States 2.9.1 ERWs removed from the landscape All ERWs removed from the landscape and from shallow waters Ordinance removal programmes active across Palau MOS 35Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) A school of fish peruse the blue waters of Palau. © Ethan Daniels THEME THREE: NEARSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT 36 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME THREE: NEARSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Nearshore marine areas include all water habitats from the shoreline to 100 meters depth and fall under the jurisdiction of Palau’s 16 State Governments. Uses in the nearshore vary, but fisheries and gleaning are essential activities across Palau. Palau’s marine environment is highly diverse, allowing for multiple competing uses, including fishing, tourism, aquaculture, extraction, cultural practices, biodiversity conservation, transportation, and climate resilience all in the same places. Palauan waters support more than 350 species of hard coral, 200 species of soft coral, over 300 species of sponges and more than 1,300 species of reef fish.19 Considered one of the “Seven Underwater Wonders of the World,” Palau has the highest levels of marine and terrestrial biodiversity within Micronesia and is on the north-eastern margin of the Coral Triangle which has the highest diversity of shallow-water marine species in the world.20 This includes Koror’s Rock Islands Southern Lagoon and its marine lakes which is a World Heritage Site and home to stingless jellyfish that have evolved in these unique ecosystems.21 In 2015, 1,331 km2 of nearshore marine habitat (46% of Palau’s total nearshore marine area) was protected within the PAN. The Koror Southern Lagoon is a vast 859 km2 coral reef environment with the famous Rock Islands World Heritage Area and the Koror urban area nestled within the lagoon. Koror’s urban area is home to 65 per cent of Palau’s population such that the reefs are intensely fished.22 Artisanal fishing occurs for subsistence, small-scale commercial, and sport fishing. Because of the Rock Islands, the area is Palau’s main tourism hub. Tourism activities, mainly diving and snorkelling, are concentrated in the Rock Islands, contributing to a decline of fish abundance that has been noticed and reported by fishermen, and local and regional authorities. Recent studies continue to show a decline. This trend is further exacerbated by a nationwide change from traditional subsistence fishing to commercial fishing, changes from a historic “reef assignment” system to an open-access fishery, and with other drivers influencing fish demand and consumption.23 Much of Palau is located in a lagoon, and current patterns vary widely. In some locations, sediment and pollution from land linger, leading to long-term negative impacts. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 3.1 Data collection, sharing, and feedback systems 3.2 Marine spatial planning 3.3 Nearshore fisheries management – Improve status of nearshore fisheries (finfish and invertebrates) and increase value of fisheries products 3.4 Aquaculture Management 3.5 Marine Protected Area management and expansion 3.6 Mangrove management 3.7 Coral Reef management 3.8 Tourism outside of Koror (Babeldaob, Outer Islands, and offshore) 3.9 Improved management of Koror’s World Heritage Site 3.10 Management of marine water quality 3.11 Protection and maintenance of marine biodiversity NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.1.1 Conduct Stock Assessments (finfish and invertebrates, including in mangroves) Understanding of standing stock and level of harvesting that leaves the stock viable Biomass, Population, SPR for commercially important species and protected species by location (Fisheries- independent data) BOF, PICRC, NGO partners Regional partners like SPC 19 Republic of Palau. (2002). National Report to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Office of Environment, Response and Coordination. Office of the President of the Republic of Palau. 20 Hinchley et al. (2007). Biodiversity Planning for Palau’s Protected Areas Network. TNC Pacific Island Countries Report No 1/07. 80pp. 21 Republic of Palau (2016). Protected Areas Network (PAN) Status Report 2003-2015. 29pp 22 Office of Planning and Statistics ROP 2022 23 Gouezo et al. (2021). Koror Southern Lagoon Coastal Fisheries Management Plan 2021. Palau Conservation Society. 109pp. 37Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.1.2 Conduct Harvest Assessments Understanding of current harvesting by species, location, method, etc. and influences in harvesting (finfish and invertebrates) Fisheries-dependent data – estimate of catch per year by location and sector for commercially important species Estimates of IUU fishing for protected species BOF, RARE, NGO Partners, Business industry, SPC 3.1.3 Conduct Market Assessments and Analysis that leads to improved marketing, pricing, and livelihoods Gaps in market aspects of fisheries are filled, such as target prices, incomes Ocean climate risk and sequestration data used to inform financing Market Assessment report Sequestration values determined BOF, NGO Partners, MOF, SPC 3.1.4 Establish and improve Data sharing and feedback systems Data used to manage harvest levels and pricing Thresholds for action established BOF, PALARIS, NEPC, SPC 3.2.1 Conduct Nearshore Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), incorporating Traditional Knowledge, Spatial Data, and Best Available Data Data for territorial waters (12 miles) increased and marine habitats zoned/planned for multiple uses including food security, economic uses, and cultural and social uses 100% Sustainable Ocean Plan, with policies and processes for adaptive management, developed and adopted Marine spatial plans included in state master plans MAFE 3.3.1 Manage Spawning and Aggregation sites Spawning and aggregation sites protected (fully or seasonally) Critical spawning sites mapped Rules and regulations for closure and seasonal access passed MAFE, PICRC, NGO Partners 3.3.2 Develop and adopt National and Regional Fisheries Plans for Kiukl, Despedal, Outer islands. Adopt and implement Koror Fisheries Plan; Update Northern Reefs Plan. Fishery zones, SPR/sizes, harvest levels, Rules, Regulations, Best Practices, etc. set and adopted At least 5 Coastal Fisheries Plans adopted Scientifically defendable catch limits established States, MAFE BOF and BOE, NGO Partners 3.3.3 Monitor nearshore fisheries (fishery, not fish) Sustainable harvest regimes identified and fisheries- dependent and fisheries- independent data collected and analysed System/Framework in place so that national fisheries data feeds into annual Fisheries Plans and licensing, registration system, etc. PICRC, BOF, NGO Partners, SPC 3.3.4 Update nearshore fisheries regulations; establish licensing and permitting system (business permitting and fishing licenses) Coastal fisheries regulated to ensure sustainable catch according to Fisheries Plans A licensing and reporting system for management implemented and enforced MAFE, BOF 38 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.3.5 Train and build capacity for fisheries management and enforcement Coastal fisheries enforcement programme improved Fisheries monitoring and management feeds back into fisheries plans and informs adaptive management Resources available to allow routine fisheries monitoring and control operations in inshore waters MAFE, BOF, States, PAN, PICRC, NGO Partners 3.3.6 Increase Fisheries awareness, including awareness about traditional knowledge and traditional practices Public support maintained for inshore fisheries management and regulation A fisheries awareness programme is in place BOF, NGO Partners 3.3.7 Provide Extension services to develop fishery-based livelihoods, and assist with Standard Buys, Market Development and fisher access to markets, and Risk Reduction Fisheries cooperatives and associations able to negotiate lower costs, higher incomes, better plan for supply and demand Supported Fisheries Cooperatives or Associations in place, with higher incomes and lower risks BOF, NGO Partners, MOF 3.3.8 Stabilise and optimise supply and demand Systems in place to determine demand for nearshore fishery products by location and season, and systems in place to produce and distribute supply to meet demand Increasing number of connections/agreements between fishers and buyers BOF, NGO Partners, MOF 3.3.9 Track and promote High Value Fishery products “From Hook to Fork” along a transparent and fair value chain Fishery tracking systems (apps) track fish and communicate the provenance of fishery products (including stories about the producers) Nearshore fishery products fetch premium prices and those prices are returned to producers Consumers have increased appreciation and paying more for fishery products and producers (men and women) BOF, NGO Partners 3.4.1 Update and modernise the National Aquaculture Policy Policy document developed and adopted in line with marine regulations Policies agreed between private sector development and public sector support and subsidies, with agreed policies for support for food security versus export and livelihood development, and policies to ease access to capital BOF, NGO Partners, Aquaculture Business Sector, SPC 3.4.2 Plan for and provide extension services to support expansion of aquaculture (species types and amount) A 300% increase in aquaculture production for food Locations for aquaculture identified and agreed BOF 39Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.4.3 Stabilise, diversify, and decentralise supply of aquaculture seedlings 300% increase in seedling production from an increasing number of suppliers Increasing number of suppliers, number of species, and total number of seedlings produced per year; with decrease in loss due to climate or other risks; with collaboration between government and private sector BOF, NGO Partners, Aquaculture Business Sector 3.4.4 Protect and enforce aquaculture property. Clarify farm ownership status and enforcement capacities in nearshore marine waters. Theft and poaching of aquaculture farms eliminated Public sector policies and practices in place to deter and enforce poaching MAFE, MOJ, States 3.4.5 Identify and access increasing number and diversity of export markets for cultured clams Increasing export of clams with increasing improvements of farmer livelihoods (in line with national food policy) Capacity to profit from international markets increased. MAFE, MOS, MOF, NGO Partners, Businesses 3.4.6 Establish an institutionalised training and capacity building programme for private sector participants Training in aquaculture best practices, business skills, risk management, writing and capacity to access financial capital Increasing number of trained participants actively engaged in aquaculture NGO Partners 3.5.1 Continue regular monitoring, conduct another round of PAME, and consistently use data to assess targets and adapt management Updated PAN Status report feeds into annual PAN planning and strategies Annual monitoring reports for each site with recommendations for management PAN Status Report. Annual Reports/ Management Plan updates for MPAs PAN, NGO Partners PAN, NGO Partners 3.5.2 Finalise PAN Strategy, to include marine spatial planning and spatial targets PAN Strategy includes spatial, habitat, and species targets Strategy document adopted PAN 3.5.3 Increase number, size, and diversity of Marine Protected Areas Micronesia Challenge 2030 target for sustainable management Increased areas of channels, back and deeper reefs, reef flats, and sustainable use areas (e.g. to include aquaculture farms) and cultural sites protected as MPAs PAN, States, NGO Partners 3.5.4 Enhance and stabilise PAN training programmes and certification programmes Increase PAN Coordinator and Ranger capacity to manage sites, conduct surveys, adapt management enforce relevant laws, write reports, and seek independent funds Increasing number of trained individuals. Increasing number of skills with training programmes PAN, Koror, PCC, NGO Partners 40 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.6.1 Align forestry and marine programmes on Mangrove Management Mangroves systematically planned for, including for cumulative impact Inclusion of mangroves in PAN, Land Use, and Marine Spatial Plans MAFE, PCC, PICRC, BNM 3.6.2 Determine financial and ecosystem values of mangroves (and coral reefs), including food production, carbon storage, reducing climate vulnerabilities, cultural ties, and ecosystem services Increased study and scientific data of mangroves informs management Mangrove socioeconomic and biophysical reports MAFE, NGO Partners 3.6.3 Establish Parameters and Standard Operating Practices (SOPs) for mangrove (and coral reef) management and restoration Degraded mangroves and coral reefs restored to increase value Scientifically-based documents with SOPs MAFE, PCC, PICRC, BNM 3.6.4 Improve public awareness and appreciation for mangroves Mangrove awareness programmes implemented Increasing support for mangrove protection, fewer leases issued in mangroves MAFE, NGO Partners 3.6.5 Understand status of Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) in mangroves and rivers Estimates and recommendations developed (capture knowledge of older generation) UXO Assessment MAFE, JICA, Japan Embassy 3.7.1 Conduct coral monitoring and research Research and monitoring guides sustainable reef management Regular Coral Reef status reports published MAFE, PICRC, NGO Partners 3.7.2 Improve coral reef management for long-term resiliency Coral reef planning includes long-term climate risks and resilience Resilient reefs identified and sustainably managed MAFE, PICRC, NGO Partners 3.7.3 Establish Parameters and Standard Operating Practices (SOPs) for coral reef management and restoration Degraded coral reefs restored to increase value Scientifically-based documents with SOPs MAFE, PICRC, NGO Partners 3.8.1 Develop and promote new and unique marine tourism products outside of Koror’s nearshore reefs, including for diving, cultural history, whale watching, sport fishing, kayaking, etc. to an increasingly diversified customer base Each state has at least one marine-based tourism product Increasing number of visitors to states outside of Koror MAFE, MHRCTD, PVA, NGO Partners, Businesses 41Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 3.8.2 Update, enhance, and repeatedly offer Tour Guide Training Programs to maximise economic values, minimise environmental impacts, and correctly convey cultural and natural stories Improve and standardise the delivery of Palau’s marine tourism products Upgrade the experiences offered to more customers to generate high values per visitor Increasing number of tour guides trained in an increasing number of skills and capacities “Certify the stories” MAFE, PAN, Koror, MHRCTD, NGO Partners 3.9.1 Assist Koror State to maximise the potential of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon as a World Heritage Site World Heritage status promoted and mainstreamed Negative impacts on tourist sites minimised (e.g. Jellyfish lakes Exit surveys indicate increased knowledge of World Heritage Status Increasing dollars due to World Heritage Status MAFE, NGO Partners 3.10.1 Marine water quality monitoring Marine water quality routinely assessed against internationally recognised guidelines Monthly nation-wide marine water quality samples collected, analysed and reported EQPB 3.10.2 Marine water quality management Marine pollution plan developed and adopted Leaking vessels and other pollutants cleaned up, removed, or minimised Regulations adopted MAFE 3.11.1 Finalise and adopt updated Regulations for the Marine Protection Act Regulations are comprehensive for multiple sectors Regulations adopted MAFE 3.11.2 Agree and adopt Marine endangered species regulations and list, in line with international agreements Endangered species better understood and protected, in line with international commitments (e.g. CITES) Scientifically-defensible List adopted MAFE 3.11.3 Minimise and enforce poaching of protected species Awareness, community buy-in, and enforcement of protected species improves Improving Population and size status of endangered species MOJ, PAN, States 3.11.4 Map and plan for high biodiversity sites High Biodiversity Sites or High Value Marine Sites mapped and included in marine spatial plans with sustainable use or protection regimes Increasing number of High Biodiversity areas protected via national or state plans MAFE, PICRC, NGO Partners 42 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Palau marine life. Credit: © Yen-Yi Lee THEME FOUR: OFFSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT 43Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME FOUR: OFFSHORE MARINE MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Palau’s offshore marine waters include waters deeper than 100 meters depth24 out to the international border. Waters from 100 meters depth out to 12 nautical miles fall under the jurisdiction of Palau’s 16 State Governments and serve the immediate food security, recreational, economic, and other needs of local communities and businesses. Locally owned and managed by each individual state, these waters are home to deep reefs, coastal habitats, and deep waters that are easily accessible and essential to daily life. Between 12 miles and 24 miles is an artisanal fishing zone, owned by the Palau national government and managed to benefit Palauan fishers for the purpose of local food security and economic security. The remainder of Palau’s offshore marine waters form the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and its Domestic Fishing Zone, which are designed to support sustainable use or protection of multiple natural, social, and cultural resources. The Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (PNMS) was signed in October 2015 to set aside 80% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as a no-take Marine Protected Area while creating a Domestic Fishing Zone (DFZ) for the remaining 20%. With existing bans on mining and bottom fishing already in place and only whispers of potential fossil fuel stores, an offshore pelagic fishery is the only known extractive resource. The DFZ is open for commercial fishing for domestic fleets and negotiated bilateral longline and purse seine fleets. The Tuna Fisheries Commission of the Western and Central Region of the Pacific is managing the most sustainable tuna fisheries in the world, and as a result, most tuna stocks (including bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack) in the region are not overfished nor is overfishing occurring.25 This indicates that the highly migratory tuna stocks found in Palau are likely in a healthy state. A goal of the PNMS Act was to support transition of fishing to a domestic fleet. Growth of a domestic fleet has faced barriers such as high fuel costs, emerging training needs, limited local demand especially for Grade A (Sashimi-grade) tuna, and lack of spatial planning to maximise use of productive fishing grounds. The Covid-related border closure in 2020 further delayed growth of a domestic pelagic fishing fleet. Climate projections suggest a shift of the main regional tuna stocks eastward. Palau’s EEZ faces ongoing threats from Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and other illegal activity.26 Studies indicate the PNMS could be a rich area for whales, among other tourism uses.27 The PNMS inspired the Palau Pledge and is a centrepiece in Palau’s efforts to rebrand itself as a high- value sustainable ecotourism destination. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 4.1 Administration and Coordination 4.2 Sustainable Domestic Pelagic Fishery 4.3 Safe and Secure EEZ 4.4 Communications, Information, and Awareness 4.5 Economic stability and branding 4.6 Maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 4.1.1 Co-ordinated cross-sector management of the PNMS Management of the PNMS based on an aligned and jointly implemented management strategy Strengthen cross- sector administration, coordination, and joint planning capacities among agencies with PNMS mandates MAFE, PICRC, MOJ, MOF 24 Micronesia Challenge. (2006). MC Final Report: Micronesia Challenge Action Planning Meeting, December 4-7, 2006. Pp. 12. 25 WCPFC. (2022). Overview of Stock Status of Interest to the WCPFC. https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/00/overview-stocks-interest-wcpfc 26 MRAG Asia Pacific. (2016). Towards the Quantification of IUU Fishing in the Pacific Islands Region. Prepared for the prepared for the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). 101pp. 27 Andrews, Olive. (2013). Palau Marine Mammal Research Project Report. Whales Alive, Sustainable Decisions, and Republic of Palau. 33pp. 44 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 4.1.2 Marine Spatial Planning Sustainable management and protection of the EEZ achieved Periodic review of jointly agreed Policy and Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) MAFE, PICRC, MOJ, MOF, OOP, MHRCTD 4.1.3 Sustainable Financing Long-term financing funds sustainable management of the PNMS Financing for the PNMS reviewed annually and is equitably distributed MAFE, PICRC, MOJ, MOF 4.2.1 Sustainable expansion of the local pelagic fleet Sustainable local pelagic fishery meets food security demand and provides economic security Capacity building to grow the number of locally based fleets/ fishers participating in the pelagic fishery BOF 4.2.2 Regulation and enforcement of the offshore domestic and foreign fishery Overfishing and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing prevented in Palau’s EEZ through improved enforcement 100% Electronic Monitoring and Reporting and at least 5% observer coverage of the pelagic fishery Declining or zero overfishing or IUU fishing BOF, Marine Law Regional Partners through SPC, PNA and WCPFC 4.2.3 Strengthened Pole-and- Line Fishery Maintained and affordable supply of Skipjack for domestic consumption Maintained and affordable supply of baitfish Increasing production and consumption of Skipjack BOF, Marine Law State Governments (e.g. Koror, Airai, Ngatpang) 4.2.4 Implementation of Anchored Fish Attracting Device (aFAD) strategy aFADs used to maximise domestic fishery potential Optimal number of aFADs determined Number of operational and maintained aFADs hits optimal number and are used by fishers BOF 4.3.1 Increase monitoring, control, and surveillance activities, both physically and digitally Palau’s EEZ managed and protected Optimal number of MCS missions determined Number of MCS missions increases to optimal level Marine Law BOF 4.3.2 International agreements expanded and maintained to protect Palau’s borders All illegal activity in the PNMS (including and beyond fishing) by international Actors reduced Criminal and other illegal activities in the PNMS and EEZ reduced through bilateral agreements Marine Law MOS 4.4.1 Communications and Engagement Aligned communications products for the PNMS support management objectives Communications and Engagement Strategy agreed and implemented by core partners PICRC, MAFE, MOJ 4.4.2 Research management Increasing information and data availability improves adaptive management of the PNMS Research Strategy agreed and implemented by core partners. Research projects prioritised to address priority management imperatives PICRC, MAFE 45Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 4.4.3 Community awareness Long-term public support for the social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of the management objectives of the PNMS maintained Awareness and information campaigns on the management objectives of the PNMS routinely interpreted to public audiences PICRC, MAFE 4.5.1 Improvement to Vessel Day Scheme Buy-back programme and other Licensing and Permitting schemes Increasing or stabilised national income from the EEZ National income targets determined National income meets targets MAFE 4.5.2 Small business development Increasing economic stability for Palauan’s operating in the PNMS, and its food systems, tourism markets, or other connected sectors Increasing number of viable small businesses dependent on, or linked to the PNMS registering and staying in business MOF MHRCTD MAFE 4.5.3 Demand generation Increased demand for pelagic fishery products drives increasing production, and stabilising supply and demand generates stable affordability The Choose Pelagic campaign drives increased local consumption of EEZ caught pelagic fish MAFE 4.5.4 Maintenance and growth of the Pristine Paradise Palau brand The PNMS generates high- value tourism opportunities and drives tourism demand Increasing dollar value of sustainable tourism in Palau MHRCTD PVA 4.6.1 Offshore biodiversity maintained Whales, sharks, and other protected species populations maintained Overall diversity maintained Reduced bycatch and IUU catch of protected species MAFE Marine Law 4.6.2 International negotiations reduce threats to offshore environments and maintain ecosystem functionality and other values International threats to the PNMS including marine debris and Climate Change reduced Signed international agreements provide support for marine debris and climate adaptation/ mitigation MAFE OCC Marine Law MOS 46 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME FIVE: FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk Island, Palau. Credit: © LuxTonner 47Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME FIVE: FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Freshwater is generally abundant in Palau through a network of surface streams. There are few groundwater sources. Streams on Babeldaob support diverse riparian and aquatic diversity, including 47 species of fish.28 The Ngerdorch River drains from Lake Ngardok (a Ramsar Wetland of International Significance and the largest lake in Micronesia) before it flows to the ocean on the east coast of Babeldaob. On the west coast of Babeldaob, the Ngermeskang River flows into Ngaremeduu Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest estuary in Micronesia), as part of the largest watershed in Palau. Both Ngardok Lake and Ngaremeduu Bay are protected by law as conservation areas; however, human disturbance, poaching, fire, unsustainable water usage, erosion, feral animals, and climate change all threaten the ecological integrity of these habitats.29 Approximately 75% of the Palauan population (in urban areas of Koror and Airai) relies on Airai’s Ngerikiil watershed and the Ngerimel Dam for freshwater. Many small water pumps pull water from small watersheds to feed villages around Babeldaob. Diversion of water to meet human needs (particularly during droughts) can lead to decreased river flows, which may potentially interfere with the lifecycles of aquatic organisms. Catchments within Palau watersheds are developed for a variety of purposes, ranging from private residences to agricultural lands. Very few of the watersheds above public water sources are protected or zoned to minimise impact. Most are seeing a growth in development and thus high levels of sedimentation and decreasing water quality. Water sources are covered by several sets of regulations that mandate 60-foot riparian buffers (on both sides) and prohibit development and sewer systems within a 300-foot radius of any water source. Nevertheless, sources of water pollution include sedimentation caused by poor erosion controls, loss of riparian buffers, and poor land use practices.30 Construction of the National Highway (completed in 2006) and ongoing residential subdivision development released high sediment loads into rivers and bays, much of which has permanently settled into marine environments due to low flushing. Other sources of pollution including sewage and chemical pollution are believed to also be impacting catchment health but are unquantified.31 Estuarine areas provide important habitat for protection of threatened species including the estuarine crocodiles.32 NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 5.1 Catchment management and protection 5.2 Freshwater supply management 5.3 Freshwater monitoring 5.4 Estuarine habitat protection 5.5 Freshwater lake protection NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 5.1.1 Water Catchment land use planning, zoning, and protection Upper catchments and watersheds zoned, protected, or rehabilitated Maintained or increased forest cover in watersheds above water sources PALARIS MAFE PAN States/State Planning Commissions 5.1.2 Water quality and quantity protection Development minimises impact on water supply Permitted activities avoid adverse water resource impacts and point (especially dumps) and non-point source pollution sources minimised and rehabilitated MAFE PPUC MPII 28 Michael and Jaensch (2014). Directory of Wetlands of Palau. SPREP. 91pp. 29 https://www.palaupanfund.org/ngardok.html 30 https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/981273 31 SOPAC (2007). National Integrated Water Resource Management Diagnostic Report PALAU. SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 642. 64 pp. 32 Michael and Jaensch (2014). Directory of Wetlands of Palau. SPREP. 91pp 48 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 5.2.1 Water Conservation Potable and treated water sources used efficiently Pre- and post-consumer actions minimise waste and loss of treated water PPUC 5.2.2 Adequate provision of safe and resilient water, particularly vulnerable people Clean potable water available to 100% of the population, including in the outer islands, even during natural disasters and times of stress 100% of homes, including new homes and subdivisions, have access to multiple sources of treated water MPII PPUC 5.2.3 Irrigation supply planning and management Irrigation water supplies available as needed to the agricultural sector Irrigation demand modelled and managed to ensure delivery of adequate agricultural water supplies MAFE BOA 5.2.4 Decreased coliform counts Reduction in coliform contamination in potable water Increasing conversion of septic tanks to sewer systems, and conventional piggeries to dry litter systems MPII EQPB BOA 5.3.1 Freshwater quality monitoring Freshwater quality routinely assessed against internationally recognised guidelines Monthly river and lake water quality samples collected, analysed and reported MAFE BOE EQPB PPUC 5.3.2 Freshwater hydrological research and monitoring Freshwater supplies extracted sustainably Baseline research and ongoing hydrological monitoring undertaken and reported; conservation systems triggered by water monitoring thresholds MAFE 5.4.1 Wetland habitat protection Estuarine habitats, swamp forests, mesei (taro patches), and wetlands maintained (no net loss) and populations of indicator wetland species maintained or increased (crocodile, purple swamphen, invertebrates, reptiles) Regulations protect wetlands, with maintained wetland coverage MAFE PAN Ngeremlengui, Ngatpang, and Aimeliik States 5.5.1 Freshwater lake habitat protection Palau’s two freshwater lakes (Ngardok Lake and Ngerkall Pond) are protected and managed in the PAN Management Plans completed for Ngardok Lake and Ngerkall Pond MAFE PAN Melekeok and Ngaraard States 5.5.2 Ngerimel Reservoir rehabilitated Ngerimel Dam functions as a resilient source of water during droughts Water storage in the dam increased MPII PPUC 49Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME SIX: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Nicobar Pigeon. Credit: © Lawrence Neo 50 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME SIX: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION BACKGROUND Palau’s geographical and geological characteristics have allowed for extensive biodiversity development, with over 7,000 terrestrial and 10,000 marine species known to exist in the country. As a consequence, Palau has the most diverse terrestrial biodiversity in the Micronesia region and has one of the most biologically diverse underwater environments globally.33 Habitats in Palau include tropical rivers, lakes, rainforests, estuaries, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, fringing reefs, barrier reefs and marine lakes. In 2012, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the inscription of Palau’s Rock Islands Southern Lagoon as a mixed natural and cultural World Heritage Site, partly on the basis of its high endemism rate and high biodiversity within a small area.34 NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 6.1 Endangered species protection 6.2 Invasive species management and control 6.3 Protected Areas Network expansion and management 6.4 Environmental reporting 6.5 Biodiversity mainstreaming NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 6.1.1 Endangered species regulations and agreements Endangered Species Regulations completed, implemented, and enforced Regulations Governing Endangered Species passed and CITES list agreed MAFE Office of the Minister BNM 6.1.2 Regulatory framework for endangered and endemic species Protected Life Act updated, Biosecurity Regulations, Marine Protected Act Regulations, and PAN Act Regulations updated to include new understandings of endangered and endemic species Exemptions for endemic and endangered species removed from regulatory framework MAFE OEK 6.1.3 Species Management Plans for threatened biodiversity completed and implemented, in line with national laws and international agreements Viable populations of threatened species live in Palau Species management plans developed for endangered and other priority species in line with Ramsar, CMS, CBD, Ramsar, and other commitments BNM MAFE 6.1.4 Comprehensive biological inventory and assessment of all island ecosystems Collected data used in an adaptive management framework to protect biodiversity National BIORAP undertaken regularly MAFE 6.1.5 Increased understanding of genetic biodiversity, and Access and Benefit Sharing systems established Agrobiodiversity maintained and benefits from marine and coral genetic diversity accrued in Palau ABS system agreed MAFE 33 Republic of Palau (2016). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. 34 UNESCO (2012). Rock Island Southern Lagoon Puts Palau on the List of World Heritage Sites, http://www.unesco.org/new/en/apia/about-this-office/single-view/news/rock islands southern lagoon puts palau on the list of world heritage sites/ Lake Ngardok nature reserve, Palau. Credit: Collin Joseph 51Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 6.1.6 Biodiversity priorities established for each island, with increased local and national awareness Government and non- government organisations consulted on biodiversity priorities Appropriate policies and legislation on ecosystems services formulated MAFE 6.2.1 Prevention of the introduction and establishment of invasive species Introduction or internal spread of invasive species prevented Early detection of, and rapid action against new introductions of potentially invasive species MAFE NISC MOJ Biosecurity 6.2.2 Impacts of existing invasive species minimised Prioritised invasive species are controlled or removed IAS management actions are identified and implemented through inventory, assessment, and prioritisation activities MAFE NISC 6.3.1 Protected Areas Network (PAN) PAN system expanded to include missing key habitats, enforcement improved at the National and State levels, and private conservation lands supported under PAN National PAN Management Strategy and Action Plan implemented MAFE PAN Office 6.3.2 High conservation sites protected High Conservation Sites have improved biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health status Under-represented ecosystems (mangroves, swamp forests are identified and protected in the PAN MAFE PAN Office PICRC BNM States 6.4.1 State of the Environment Reporting Regular review of national environmental status SoE Report updated every five years NEPC 6.4.1 Adaptive management Monitoring systems feed into adaptive management systems Increasing percentage of monitoring data analysed, reported, and acted upon to continually revise biodiversity priorities BOE 6.5.1 Biodiversity conservation mainstreamed, including into tourism, cultural site protection, food production, and development Coral reef and forest disturbances minimised at local scales Sustainable carrying capacity ranges are established, determining acceptable levels of environmental, cultural, and community impacts BOT PVA MAFE 6.5.2 Sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism achieved through accreditation and audit Eco-friendly tourism certification system implemented BOT PVA MAFE 52 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME SEVEN: WASTE MANAGEMENT Land field. Credit: © Paul Anderson 53Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME SEVEN: WASTE MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND35 The management of solid wastes in Palau is overseen by the Bureau of Public Works (BPW) under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII) and Koror State Governments. Waste collection has been privatised and several small businesses collect waste from Koror and Babeldaob. The management of hazardous wastes falls under the mandate of the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB).36 Koror State Government operates the Koror State Recycling Centre which hosts the National Redemption Centre (where recovered cans, glass and bottles are received and processed), the Energy Recovery Facility (where selected plastic types are converted to oil which is used as fuel to generate energy), a Composting Facility (which processes green waste to produce saleable compost) and a Glass Blowing Facility (where glass is crafted to other ornamental products). Used vehicles, tires and ULABs are collected at M-Dock and used oil is collected by PPUC at their facilities and sites. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of waste are generated annually in Palau.37 About 34 tons per day is generated in Koror and Babeldaob. Recent surveys have determined that on average, small urban households generate 0.90 kg of waste per household per day, regional areas 1.09 kg of waste per household per day and rural areas 0.68 kg of waste per household per day.38 Waste generation for commercial premises was estimated to be 1.51 kg per premises per day. The largest component of the waste was organics (37%), with plastic waste contributing around 16% of waste volume. The 13-acre M-Dock Landfill was the national landfill located in Koror State which was operated for more than 50 years. It was replaced by a new landfill site in Aimeliik State in 2020, although M-Dock still has five more years of capacity left. Homes in Koror and Babeldaob have weekly garbage pickup, although commercial waste and larger items must be delivered directly. There were also ten community dumpsites operated by other States on Babeldaob Island that are now closed. Other landfills and dumps continue to be operated on every outer island, including a high priority site in Peleliu that drains leachate directly into mangroves. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 7.1 Improved national waste prevention and management 7.2 Improved landfill operations 7.3 Recycling 7.4 Composting 7.5 Hazardous waste management 7.6 Disaster waste management 7.7 Marine Plastic NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 7.1.1 Comprehensive waste minimisation and management Palau Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan (2017-2026) is fully implemented Waste is prevented, reduced, and managed to minimise environmental and human health impacts MPII Koror State 7.1.2 Improved waste management (collection, segregation, transfer, recovery and disposal) services provided in Koror and the Outer Islands Palau Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan (2017-2026) is fully implemented All wastes are collected and managed to minimise environmental and human health impacts by 2025 MPII States 35 Republic of Palau (2019). National Solid Waste Management Strategy: The Roadmap towards a Clean and Safe Palau (2017 to 2026). 62pp. 36 Republic of Palau (2019). National Solid Waste Management Strategy: The Roadmap towards a Clean and Safe Palau (2017 to 2026). 62pp. 37 APWC (2020). Palau – Waste Audit Report Analysis of waste generation, recycling and disposal data collected in November 2019. 165pp. 38 APWC (2020). Palau – Waste Audit Report Analysis of waste generation, recycling and disposal data collected in November 2019. 165pp. 54 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 7.1.3 Improved international and national regulatory framework to prevent waste Reduced importation of plastics and glass Rules and financial mechanisms to reduce volume of plastic and glass that becomes waste OEK MPII MOF (Customs) 7.2.1 National landfill continues to operate to international standards Palau Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan (2017-2026) is fully implemented National landfill is climate proofed and 8 waste transfer stations in operation MPII 7.2.2 Babeldaob State landfills closed and rehabilitated Old landfills have negligible environmental impacts Increasing number of old landfills closed, capped, rehabilitated and monitored MPII 7.2.3 Outer island landfills managed Outer island landfills meet sanitary standards, include segregation and pathways for recycling and hazmat disposal, are rehabilitated to reduce environmental and health impacts, or are compacted Outer island landfill plans developed and agreed and an increasing number of actions implemented MPII 7.3.1 National recycling programmes for plastic, metal, ULABs, paper, and E-waste Palau Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan (2017-2026) is fully implemented All exportable recyclable waste is collected, separated, and sent offshore for recycling by 2025 Increasing waste-to- energy conversion MPII Koror State 7.3.2 Household segregation Homes on Koror and Babeldaob recycle 100% of beverage containers, glass, paper, and recyclable metals used in the home are recycled MPII 7.3.3 Scrap metal recycling Pathways for scrap metal recycling determined and pursued Agreements in place for scrap metal recycling MPII 7.4.1 Organic waste composted Organic wastes are separated and composted Reduced organic waste entering landfills Increasing compost and biogas availability MPII BOA 7.4.2 Food waste reduced Less food wasted, and food that is wasted is composted Reduced food waste entering the landfill MAFE MHHS Council of Chiefs and Female Counterparts 7.5.1 Dedicated landfill storage areas for different waste types including hazardous wastes Hazardous wastes, metals, tires, large plastics, etc. are separated and stored securely at the landfill prior to export Segregated storage areas are in operation MPII Koror State 55Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 7.5.2 Medical and biological waste disposal Biohazard wastes treated by high temperature incineration High temperature two chamber waste incinerator operational MPII MHHS 7.6.1 Disaster waste management Disaster waste management equipment and sites available for emergency use Disaster Waste Plan incorporated in the National Disaster Response Plan MPII OCC 7.7.1 Plastic management Waste plastic generation minimised Executive Orders and laws on limiting single- use plastics enforced nationally MPII 7.7.2 Continued national visibility in international marine plastic negotiation fora Key information concerning the impacts of marine plastic is made obvious to international delegates Palau continues to have an impact in international marine litter negotiations and outcomes OCC MAFE 56 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME EIGHT: CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT Chemicals. Credit: © Tom Fisk 57Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME EIGHT: CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND The EQPB functions as the manager of hazardous chemicals in the country in the absence of a designated office to deal with hazardous wastes.39 Pesticide regulations are contained in EQPB Regulation Chapter 2401-33. Under the Pesticides General Prohibitions, banned, adulterated or mis-labelled pesticides cannot be imported, sold, or distributed in Palau. Small stockpiles of disused chemicals are known to be present in Palau. Specifically, contaminated sites exist at the M-Dock landfill and may also exist adjacent to the airfield where fire-fighting training exercises have been held.40 Dielectric fluids in old decommissioned electrical transformers stored at PPUC facilities are contaminated with PCBs. Empty pesticide and AFFF containers and other wastes that are disposed of at M-Dock (Koror) and at smaller waste dumps in outlying States may have potentially contaminated these disposal sites with a range of pesticides and flame retardant chemicals.41 Monitoring of national air samples and human breast milk in 2010 and 2011 detected low concentrations of persistent organic chemicals including chlordane, dieldrin, DDT, HCB, PCBs, lindane, and TCDD.42 Most asbestos was removed from Palau, but some was left in older water pipes and still needs to be removed. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 8.1 National chemical management strategy 8.2 Management of priority obsolete chemicals 8.3 Contaminated site management 8.4 Oil spill management 8.5 Management of other priority chemicals 8.6 Chemical monitoring and reporting NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 8.1.1 National Implementation Plan (NIP) NIP in line with international agreements and conventions, and endorsed by Government NIP is updated in 2022 to meet UNEP requirements EQBP 8.1.2 Chemical inventory and import tracking system established Types and quantities of hazardous materials in Palau established and tracked and aligned with international databases All Import Logs backtracked, cross- referenced with Harmonised Codes, and database continually updated EQPB Koror State MOF (Customs) 8.1.3 National chemical management strategy includes procedures and pathways for entry, stockpiling, and disposal All chemicals imported into Palau are managed to protect the environment and human health, alert system working and effective, and capacity to manage chemicals increased Legislation, regulations and protocols to control importation of all priority chemicals reviewed, updated and enforced Border alerts system established EQPB Koror State MOF (Customs) 8.1.4 Mainstream chemicals management into national policies Risks from chemicals minimised during disasters Chemicals management mainstreamed into Climate Change and Disaster Risk plans EQPB 39 Republic of Palau (2019). National Solid Waste Management Strategy: The Roadmap towards a Clean and Safe Palau (2017 to 2026). 62pp. 40 Republic of Palau (2019). National Implementation Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants. 75pp. 41 GHD (2017). Pesticide Container Management in the Pacific Palau Baseline Survey Report. SPREP. 30pp. 42 United Nations (2015). Global monitoring Plan for persistent organic pollutants under the Stockholm Convention Article 16 on effectiveness evaluation. Second regional monitoring report Annex Asia-pacific region. 134pp. 58 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 8.1.5 Capacity building to manage chemicals Palau has local expertise in safely managing chemicals Increasing number of trained individuals retained in Palau EQPB 8.2.1 Illegal pesticides eliminated and used pesticide container management Incidental pesticide loss to the environment minimised Illegal pesticides no longer used and removed, and Used (empty) pesticide containers are safely recycled at the landfill EQPB Koror State MPII 8.2.2 Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) management All PCBs found, safely stockpiled, and removed from Palau National inventory of PCBs completed EQPB 8.2.3 Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) management Expired AFFF stocks found, safely stockpiled, and removed from Palau National inventory of AFFFs completed EQPB 8.3.1 National management of contaminated sites All potentially contaminated sites investigated and where necessary, remediated Contaminated sites assessed, prioritised and remediated EQPB MPII Koror State 8.3.2 Smaller rural landfills and contaminated sites remediated Hazardous materials safely separated and removed, and contaminated soil removed from Palau Increasing number of rural landfills (Babeldaob and outer islands) closed and rehabilitated MPII Koror State 8.3.3 Airfield contaminated sites remediated AFFF contaminated soil removed from Palau Contaminated soil removed and shipped offshore for destruction MPII 8.3.4 Efficient use of the M-Dock landfill M-Dock site safely capped and managed M-Dock closed in 5 years (or when full) and capped Koror State MPII 8.3.5 Airai Landfill managed to reduce chemical runoff Airai Landfill drainage and ventilation rehabilitated to minimise drainage of chemicals into Airai Bay Airai Landfill capped and engineering solutions employed around margins MPII Airai State 8.4.1 Illegal oil disposal and Oil spills managed and contained Environmental damage caused by accidental or deliberate oil releases minimised Finalise National Oil Spill Response Plan Increasing capacity to respond to oil spills MPII EQPB 8.4.2 Existing oil spills and releases cleaned Amount of oil in the environment reduced Increasing number of leaking ships and old cars remedied EQPB 8.5.1 Mercury management National mercury management priorities identified, including mercury in the environment and from food sources, and existing mercury found, safely stockpiled, and removed Minimata Convention Initial Assessment (MIA) completed EQPB 8.5.2 Used battery management Basil Convention Protocols implemented with prior consent Increasing number of batteries removed from Palau EQPB 59Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 8.5.3 Fertiliser stockpiles managed Fertiliser use minimises damage to downstream environments Decreasing fertiliser use EQPB BOA 8.5.4 Chemical sunscreen ban compliance and enforcement No illegal sunscreens imported into Palau Monitoring does not detect presence of illegal chemicals from sunscreens MOF (Customs) Koror State Rangers 8.5.5 Other chemicals, including lead and asbestos, tracked and managed Reduced environmental and health impact from chemicals Decreasing sources of lead and asbestos 8.6.1 Participation in the Global (Chemical) Monitoring Plan (GMP) Inventory Data available on POPs and chemical concentrations in Palau in an accessible and updated database Samples from priority national environmental matrices collected and analysed annually under the GMP EQPB 8.6.2 Public health monitoring Public health protected Routine national monitoring of sewer and septic outflows, and pollution point sources (including landfills) MHHS Division of Environmental Health (DEH) 8.6.3 Unintentional Persistent Organic Chemical (uPOPs) monitoring Palau meets Stockholm Convention uPOPs reporting requirements uPOPs data collected and analysed every five years (2023 and 2028), feeds into database, and leads to adaptive management EQPB 8.6.4 National progress reports to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat Palau meets Stockholm Convention reporting requirements Stockholm reports submitted every four years EQPB 60 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME NINE: BUILT ENVIRONMENT Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge 61Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME NINE: BUILT ENVIRONMENT BACKGROUND Development in Palau is guided by a vision of achieving “resilient and widespread improvement in general standards of living while preserving cultural and environmental values”.43 Palau has adopted an economic development strategy that is based on tourism, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a boom in tourist numbers significantly impacted Palau’s natural environments.44 Many of Palau’s infrastructure and economic development activities are located near the coast, making them vulnerable to storm surges and sea level rise.45 However, many new developments are being built inland, where emerging risks arise from storms, fires, and landslides. At risk infrastructure includes power, telecommunications, sewer and water lines, and housing and public buildings. Development and population pressures also present environmental risks. All development and construction activities that involve movement of soil require an Earth Moving Permit, and research has determined that local river sediment yield increases strongly with increasing numbers of granted earth moving permits.46 Catchments within Palau watersheds are developed for a variety of purposes, ranging from private residences to agricultural production. Approximately 75% of the Palauan population relies on the Ngerikiil watershed and the Ngerimel Dam for freshwater supply due to its proximity to the urban areas of Koror and Airai. Water supply systems outside of Koror-Airai are in poor-to- fair condition and service delivery standards are low with frequent water outages. The main source of watershed pollution is sedimentation caused by poor erosion controls, loss of riparian buffers, and poor land-use practices.47 Other sources of pollution including sewage and chemical pollution.48 Palau has a centralised domestic wastewater treatment plant located in Koror, although other islands have septic tanks, or composting toilets for wastewater management. The southern lagoon of Palau has composting toilet systems in at least five designated tourist area sites. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 9.1 Climate-resilient building codes in line with land use planning and zoning 9.2 Water management 9.3 Improved sanitation 9.4 Reduce impacts from development and construction 9.5 Climate-proof sustainable infrastructure and construction program 9.6 Sustainable tourism NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 9.1.1 Land use planning National information-based land use planning Maintained, updated and improved PALARIS database used to ensure fact-based land use planning PALARIS MAFE MOS BDA 9.1.2 Climate-resilient Building Codes Environmental standards and climate resilience maintained or improved by built infrastructure Building codes consistent with land use planning and zoning schemes enforced MPII OCC 43 Republic of Palau (2020). Koror-Babeldaob Island Resilient Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan. Volume I: Main Report. 78pp. 44 Barr et al. (2016). Sustainable tourism pathways for Palau: findings and recommendations from a cross-sectoral workshop. Discussion Paper No 16, Conservation Strategy Fund. 26pp. 45 Republic of Palau (2013). Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change September 2013. 98pp. 46 https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/981273 47 https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/981273 48 SOPAC (2007). National Integrated Water Resource Management Diagnostic Report PALAU. SOPAC Miscellaneous Report 642. 64 pp. 62 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 9.2.1 Water supply planning Babeldaob residents have access to adequate supplies of safe potable water Feasibility of a consolidated water system for Babeldaob investigated MAFE PPUC 9.2.2 Dam and infrastructure maintenance Water storage infrastructure maintained and protected from saltwater intrusion Routine maintenance of dams & infrastructure for ground water sources MPII PPUC 9.2.4 Rainwater harvesting and storage Best practice harvesting and storage of rainwater Water tanks available for vulnerable people, including training and maintenance to raise water quality MPII PPUC OCC 9.2.5 Water supply security New pipes and new water storages for urban subdivisions Water supply infrastructure outside of Koror expanded and upgrade water to meet demand PPUC MPII 9.2.6 Disaster water supplies Safe potable water supplies maintained during disasters and other emergencies Back-up climate proof water sources (e.g. desalinisation &/or water tanks) for vulnerable people and communities PPUC MPII OCC 9.3.1 Improved home sanitation Sewage does not contaminate waterways, ground or lagoon water quality Improve home sanitation (including garbage, disease vectors, invasive species vectors, leaking sewage systems, un- serviced septics) MHHS DEH EQPB MPII 9.3.2 Improved sewage management Sewage systems upgraded to minimise environmental impacts Improve legislative and policy environment to enable and streamline enforcement requirements for home/household sanitation MPII 9.3.3 Water and effluent monitoring Trained technicians operate in certified local laboratories to detect chemicals and advise managers Local laboratories have capacity to detect an increasing number of chemicals and biological parameters MOE EQPB PCC 9.4.1 Urban pollution Non-point source urban pollution minimised Implemented standards, best practices, remedial works and education programmes reduce pollution from urban/built areas EQPB MPII MAFE 9.4.2 Environmental Impact Assessment All permitted developments are routinely monitored and compliance enforced All development activities must undergo an EA/EIA and permitting process EQPB 63Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 9.4.3 Cumulative impact management All approved developments do not compromise local and historic environments Acceptable cumulative impacts determined for locations and habitats (e.g. for mangrove filling) EQPB 9.5.1 Climate-proof food delivery infrastructure Food delivery infrastructure is climate-proof and secured against disaster risks Climate resilient food supply infrastructure developed (including Central Market/Pelagic Fish Processing & Landing, Food distribution and Storage) MPII OCC 9.5.2 Climate proof urban infrastructure Sustainable accessibility on Babeldaob Roads, drainage, utility services on Babeldaob climate resilient MPII OCC 9.5.3 Urban amenity Urban liveability for all residents improved Urban infrastructure, sidewalks, native tree planting & beautification programmes implemented OCC 9.6.1 Sustainable tourism An expanded tourism industry (including Babeldaob) has no net impact on Palau’s natural environment Determine carrying capacities/target visitation numbers for sensitive habitats and locations MHRCTD MAFE 9.6.2 Tourism industry expansion managed to protect Palau’s natural environment Sustainable tourism carrying capacity ranges are determined and enforced Encourage, promote, regulate tourism facility development (e.g. hotels) that are in line with RTPF (eco-tourism, low environmental impact, high-end, niche) MHRCTD 9.6.3 Biodiversity conservation prioritised in planning and development on each island Island developments do not compromise national biodiversity Biodiversity conservation mainstreamed in all aspects of National and State planning and development MAFE BOE 64 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME TEN: CULTURE, HERITAGE and AWARENESS Fishermen in Palau. Credit: © The Ocean Agency 65Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Coral reef in Niue. Credit: SPTO and Jonathan Irish THEME TEN: CULTURE, HERITAGE and AWARENESS BACKGROUND Palau is a cultured nation. As with all countries, cultural preservation and perpetuation is of prime concern to the development of Palau.49 Palauan culture is closely linked with the environment, with biodiversity playing an important role in all facets of traditional Palauan life. Historically, plants and animals provided the natural resources needed for food, shelter, medicine, and all other aspects of Klechibelau, or “Palauanness.” Traditional management practices, including the traditional institution of bul (moratoriums on the harvesting of targeted species), enabled Palauan’s to create a sustainable balance between conservation and development.50 The Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) is a modern adaption of this traditional conservation practice.51 While fishing and other uses of nearshore environments continue to be important, changing development trends and the growth of tourism are driving shifts in the Palauan way of life. As a result, not only have pressures on the natural and cultural environment increased, the nature and scope of these pressures has also changed.52 Of the more than 1,500 potentially significant archaeological sites identified in Palau, less than 15% have been assessed and entered onto the Registry of Historic Places.53 Of the sites that have been registered, less than 20% have been restored or interpreted. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 10.1 Traditional knowledge 10.2 Protection of Palauan heritage 10.3 Community education and awareness 10.4 Professional training and awareness NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 10.1.1 Traditional knowledge and practices captured Traditional knowledge and practices around agriculture, fisheries, agroforestry, forestry, biodiversity, and conservation compiled and disseminated “Calendars” based on traditional timing methods for aquaculture, harvesting of marine and forest products and agriculture available BCHP BNM MAFE 10.1.2 Traditional knowledge rights protected Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of traditional knowledge and genetic resources National obligations under the Nagoya Protocol enforced MAFE PCC-CRE 10.1.3 Traditional agriculture techniques and promotion Sediment loads to marine environments reduced54 Increasing crop production using traditional practices, linked with increasing consumption of traditional foods MAFE BOA 49 Republic of Palau (2021). Palau National Infrastructure Investment Plan (2021-2030). 103pp. 50 Republic of Palau (2016). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. 51 https://www.futurepolicy.org/oceans/palaus-protected-areas-network-act/ 52 Republic of Palau (2016). Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025: Promoting Wise Development to Achieve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. 183pp. 53 Republic of Palau (2010). Mauritius +5 Status Report: Republic of Palau. ESCAP. 144pp. 54 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/jul14/palau.html 66 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 10.1.4 Traditional fisheries practices Traditional fishing grounds (for men and women) recognised and zoned for fishing, and increasing use of traditional fishery practices Food security linked to traditional fishing practices MAFE BOF PICRC 10.1.5 Traditional knowledge and Traditional values celebrated and perpetuated Traditional knowledge valued equitably as a source of data and information for managing Palau’s environment and resources Increased awareness and understanding of traditional knowledge and mainstreaming of traditional knowledge processes into plans and decision-making MAFE BNM 10.2.1 Protection of Palauan heritage Palau’s natural and cultural heritage and cultural sites are documented, managed, and protected The cultural management sector has adequate human and financial resources BCHP 10.2.2 A rights-based approach is incorporated into land use planning and marine planning Access to traditional fishing grounds, mesei, and traditional medicinal plants is protected Plans increasingly incorporate a rights-based approach and a holistic viewpoint that considers genders and social groups BCHP NEPC 10.2.3 Gender and social mainstreamed into planning and practices Policies and practices that impact different genders and social unfairly are reduced A cultural gender lens is incorporated into national and state plans MOS Gender Office 10.2.4 Sustainable Cultural Industries perpetuated and expanded Arts and Creative Industries that rely on locally sourced materials thriving and growing Increasing availability of sustainably sourced and meaningful representative local products BCHP PVA 10.2.5 Cultural tourism Growing Cultural Tourism industry benefits local communities (financially, socially, culturally) Increasing number of sustainably used tourism sites and tourism products that feature cultural artifacts or practices BCHP PVA 10.3.1 Intangible heritage protected and perpetuated Community organisations with a historic responsibility for sustainable resource use are supported and strengthened Increasing number of active Cheldebechel (mens, womens, youth, elderly groups) BCHP Council of Chiefs and Female Counterparts 10.3.2 Community awareness and training Conservation capacity of residents and communities in Palau strengthened Public awareness of, and active participation in the environmental decision- making process MAFE PAN BNM PICRC 10.3.3 Environmental education connects youth and communities to their cultural identity and builds on the concept of Omengull (Respect) Environmental education integrated into curriculum at all levels through the Ministry of Education, which values and balances modern science with traditional knowledge School curriculum revised to incorporate climate change, environment, waste minimisation and disaster management modules, with respect for traditional knowledge and values MOE BCHP PICRC BNM MAFE 67Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 10.3.4 Standardise and translate modern scientific and environmental terminology Improved understanding of modern environmental concepts such as climate change Priority terms translated BCHP Palau Language Commission 10.4.1 Professional awareness and training Public and government employees engaged in environmental management Professionals incorporate environment protection principles in work activities MAFE 10.4.2 PAN training programmes Trained Officers manage PAN sites and other protected areas (including cultural sites) PAN Coordinator and Ranger professional capacity increased to allow long-term PA management goals to be met MAFE PAN BCHP 10.4.3 Cultural Statistics Monitoring and Evaluation and Feedback systems are responsive to cultural context and needs A set of Cultural Statistics is developed and mainstreamed into environmental plans BCHP 10.4.4 Capacity to test for chemicals Trained technicians operate certified local laboratories Water quality and chemical analysis training and certification course institutionalised at PCC PCC 68 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME ELEVEN: ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE Trevally in Palau. Credit: © The Ocean Agency 69Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) THEME ELEVEN: ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE BACKGROUND Responsibility for conservation and management of Palau’s environment is held by a number of government agencies, both at the national and state level. State governments have constitutional authority over all land and water out to 12 miles. There is also a strong system of Traditional Leadership governance with active traditional management and governance over natural resource use and specific site management. Palau has a strong Semi-Government and Non-Government Organisation (NGO) sector that has accepted significant roles and responsibilities for environmental management. In addition to individual Ministries, the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) is a formally authorised cross-sector coordinating body consisting of multiple government agencies. Many stakeholder committees are mandated by laws or regulations, such as a PAN Management Committee, which includes community, state, NGO, and government representation. While capacity in the National Government is generally high, capacity at the State government and community levels needs to be strengthened. The status of governing bodies, official plans and policies, and implementation on the ground varies widely. NEMS STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 11.1 Sustainable Financing 11.2 Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation 11.3 Environmental Legislative Framework development and review 11.4 Environmental Policy and Strategy development and review 11.5 Capacity Building 11.6 Compliance and Enforcement 11.7 Stakeholder Engagement and Participatory Decision making 11.8 Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming 11.9 Communications and Knowledge Management NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 11.1.1 Increase or at least maintain the national annual budget and increase grant financing to support national environmental priorities Increased achievement of national environmental objectives and obligations Increasing total and diversity of national budget % of Micronesia Sustainable Finance Plan funded OEK/ MOF/ MAFE 11.1.2 Increase the availability and diversity of grant opportunities and increase the capacity and eligibility of government agencies and non-government partners to access grants Increasing number of agencies and partners are able to apply for, receive, and manage grants, including climate financing Increasing number of grantees Increasing number of grant types Increasing amount of grants NEPC / MAFE / MOF/ MOE / PCC 11.1.3 States are adequately resourced to undertake environmental management 55 Land and catchment management undertaken within a funded environmental management framework Percentage of state master plans that are funded MOS BDA State Governments 55 Townsend (2007). Environmental Review and Stock-take Report. ADB. 86pp. (page 46) 70 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 11.2.1 Improve delivery of MEA, National, and State commitments through coordinated action MEA commitments mainstreamed into agency and sector plans and implemented through strong coordination through the NEPC (National) and Regional Planning Body (State) Regular meetings of the NEPC and Regional Planning Body, with transparency in decision making MAFE/ NEPC/ MOF (BBP) 11.2.2 Align MEA, SDG, GEF, GCF, Regional, and National indicators and streamline reporting processes and data management as part of a National Monitoring & Evaluation system Core indicators housed at specific agencies and updated regularly Increasing number of MEA targets reached MAFE, MOF (BBP) 11.3.1 Review and update Republic of Palau Environmental laws and regulations: • Biosecurity Regulations • Marine Protected Act Regulations • Endangered Species Regulations • Marine Mammal Act Regulations Improved regulatory environment and enabling conditions Number of laws and regulations adopted by 2025 OEK, MAFE 11.3.2 Develop or amend and pass and implement Republic of Palau Environmental laws and regulations: • National Planning Act • Building Codes (in line with National Planning Act) Improved regulatory environment and enabling conditions Number of laws and regulations adopted by 2025 OEK 11.4.1 Review and update Republic of Palau Environmental Policies Strategies, and Tools: • Energy Policy • Sustainable Land Management Policy • Resilient Agriculture and Aquaculture Policy (e.g. Food Policy) (in line with NDC Policy) • PAN Act (especially section on enforcement) • PAME (PA Management Effectiveness) assessment tool for PAN Informed policies and strategies guide best practice national environmental protection and management All relevant policies, Acts and strategies reviewed and amended as necessary by 2025 MAFE, MOF (BBP and PEWA) 71Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 11.4.2 Encourage updates and mainstream environmental objectives into other and Republic of Palau Policies and Strategies: • Cultural Policy • Gender Mainstreaming Policy • Tourism Policy • NCD (Non-communicable Disease) Policy (in line with Food Policy) • Project Management Manual (Office of Project Management (OPM)) National policies are aligned across policies Number of environmental sections included in other national policies MAFE MHRCTD MHHS MOF (BBP) 11.5.1 Provide extension services to State Governments to improve their capacity to implement environmental projects and programmes, including: • Personnel Policy (to keep capacity after election turnover; including for PAN office and Land Planner) • Master Planning and Zoning, and implementation • Public Finance management (including PAN finance) • Grant writing and management • Use of data in decision making Environmental conditions in the field conserved Number of trained State personnel in skilled positions increases MAFE, MOS BDA, MOF BBP, NGO partners 11.6.1 Improve awareness of and compliance with environmental laws Community buy-in for environmental laws Decreasing number of infractions MAFE, MOJ, EQPB, NGO Partners 11.6.2 Improve enforcement of environmental laws, especially PAN, Endangered species, Protected species, EQPB regulations Conflicts in national and state enforcement capacities resolved Increasing number of trained and certified Rangers able to enforce an increasing number of environmental laws MAFE, MOJ, PAN Rangers, EQPB 11.7.1 Improve public participation in State and National environmental governance and sustainable development through public hearings and volunteerism Processes for public participation defined and implemented consistently State permitting processes have a public hearing requirement that is implemented Increasing participation in public hearings Increasing diversity of participants on Commissions, Boards, and other advisory groups MAFE States MOS BDA 11.8.1 Mainstream gender and social inclusion into environmental decisions and activities Women and men participate equally in environmental and risk management decision making Gender and social inclusion perspectives are integrated into all national environmental policy, legislation, and programmes MOS Gender 72 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Actions Targets Performance Indicators Key Implementors and Partners 11.8.2 Define vulnerable groups and mainstream vulnerable groups into environmental decision making, based on collection of gendered, social, and cultural statistics Improved service delivery Number and demographics of vulnerable groups defined by 2024 MOS Gender MOF (BBP) 11.9.1 Modernise environmental communications and improve knowledge management (access to laws, policies, plans, best practices, lessons, etc.) Websites with relevant information consistently updated Existence of a national library MOF (BBP and ISSS), MOS (BDA) 11.9.2 Standardise spatial data and increase public access and use of spatial data in decision making PALARIS becomes repository for up-to- date spatial data Website enables controlled access and use of spatial data MOF (PALARIS, ISSS) 73Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 4. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEWING SCHEDULE The NEMS reflects ongoing work and national policies (Section 1.4), and acts as an umbrella strategy collating national priorities and actions in one place. The Palau State of the Environment (SoE) Report is the complementary report that acts as an umbrella report. The 2019 SoE, completed only two years after the 2017 SoE, found that two years was too frequent of a time period for a State of the Environment Report. (The previous SoE was in 1994, which was too long of an interval). The 2019 SoE recommended a 5-year time period for State of the Environment Reports. Thus, the next SoE should be published in 2024. A SoE to be published in 2024 that will report on indicators in this NEMS will serve as a milestone marker for the NEMS, indicating which priorities are being met and where actions should be modified. At that time, modifications and updates to the NEMS should be proposed to the NEPC for their approval. The NEPC should also include its next check-in of the NEMS in order to meet 2030 targets. 5. LINKS TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND STRATEGY NEMS Environment Theme NEMS Strategic Focus Area Sustainable Development Goals56 Aichi Targets57 GEF7 Indicators58 1. Climate Change 1.1 Strategic planning for climate change impacts 1.5, 11.5, 11b, 13.1 10 1.2 Adaptation to Climate Change impacts 13.1, 13b 15 1.3 Climate Finance Mechanisms 13a 20 1.4 International advocate for climate justice 13.2, 13.3 1.5 Transition to renewable energy 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7b, 13.2 8 6.4 1.6 Reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions 13.2 8 6 1.7 Reduction in use of Ozone Depleting Substances 9.4, 13.2 8 9.3 1.1 Land use planning and zoning 10 4 2. Land Management 2.2 Food security 1.5, 2.3, 2.4, 15.3 5, 7, 13, 14, 15, 18 4.3,9.5 2.3 Protection of water supplies 6.6 2.4 Soil management 15.3 10 2.5 Forest management 15.2 5,10 3.2,4.4 2.6 Expansion and management of PAN 15.1 5, 10, 11 1 2.7 Savannah grassland management 15.1 5, 15 3.3 2.8 Coastal vegetation management 1.5, 6.6, 13.1, 15.2 5, 14 3.4 2.9 Clearance of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) 56 Global indicator framework for the Sustainable Development Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/ indicators/indicators-list/ 57 https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/ 58 https://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/documents/10530 core indicator worksheet.pdf 74 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Environment Theme NEMS Strategic Focus Area Sustainable Development Goals56 Aichi Targets57 GEF7 Indicators58 3. Nearshore Marine Management 3.1 Data collection, sharing, and feedback systems 3.2 Marine spatial planning 5.2,7.4 3.3 Nearshore fisheries management – Improve status of nearshore fisheries (finfish and invertebrates) and increase value of fisheries products 12.2, 14.2, 14.4, 14.5,14.7 4, 6, 10 5.1,8 3.4 Aquaculture management 14.7, 14b 6, 7 5 3.5 Marine Protected Area management and expansion 14.5 10, 11, 14, 18 2,7.4 3.6 Mangrove management 15.1,15.5 3.4 3.7 Coral Reef management 15.1,15.5 11 3.8 Tourism outside of Koror (Babeldaob, Outer Islands, and offshore) 3.9 Improved management of Koror’s World Heritage Site 15.1 5.2 3.10 Management of marine water quality 5.2 3.11 Protection and maintenance of marine biodiversity 4.2 4. Offshore Marine Management 4.1 Administration and Coordination 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 4, 6, 11 ,14 2.2, 5.1, 5.2 4.2 Sustainable Domestic Pelagic Fishery 2.1, 2.3, 14.4, 14b 4, 6, 11, 14 2.2, 5.1, 5.2 4.3 Safe and Secure EEZ 14.4 4, 6, 11, 14 2.2, 5.1, 5.2 4.4 Communications, Information, and Awareness 1 4.5 Economic stability and branding 5.1, 5.2 4.6 Maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions 14.1, 14.2, 14.4 4, 6, 10, 11 2.2, 5.2 5. Freshwater Management 5.1 Catchment management and protection 6.1, 6.6, 15.1 11, 14 5.2 Freshwater supply management 6.1 5.3 Freshwater monitoring 6.6 14 5.4 Estuarine habitat protection 6.6 11 5.5 Freshwater lake protection 6.6 11, 14 6. Biodiversity Conservation 6.1 Endangered species conservation 15.5 12 6.2 Invasive species management and control 15.8 9 6.3 Protected Areas Network expansion and management 15.5 6.4 Environmental reporting 6.5 Biodiversity mainstreaming 15.5 75Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NEMS Environment Theme NEMS Strategic Focus Area Sustainable Development Goals56 Aichi Targets57 GEF7 Indicators58 7. Waste Management 7.1 Improved national waste management 11.6, 12.5, 17.1 15 9.4, 9.6, 10.2 7.2 Improved landfill operations 12.5 8 9.6, 10.2 7.3 Recycling 12.4, 12.5 8 7.4 Composting 12.5 8 7.5 Hazardous waste management 3.9 8 9.4, 9.6, 10.2 7.6 Disaster waste management 1.5, 12.4, 13.1 8 7.7 Marine Plastic 12.5 8 5.3 8. Chemical Management 8.1 National chemical management strategy 12.4 9.3, 9.4, 10.1, 10.2 8.2 Management of priority obsolete chemicals 12.4 9.1, 9.3 8.3 Contaminated site management 3.9, 12.4 8 9.1 8.4 Oil spill management 8.5 Management of other priority chemicals 3.9, 12.4 8 9.2, 9.4, 9.6 8.6 Chemical monitoring and reporting 17.18 8 9. Built Environment 9.1 Climate-resilient building codes in line with land use planning and zoning 3.9, 11.1. 11b, 13.2 8 9.6 9.2 Water management 3.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 14 9.3 Improved sanitation 3.9, 6.2, 6.3 8 9.4 Reduce impacts from development and construction 9.1, 11.1, 11.6, 11.7,15.9 2,14 3.4 9.5 Climate-proof sustainable infrastructure and construction program 3.9, 11.1 8 9.6 9.6 Sustainable tourism 12b 1, 2, 4 10. Culture, Heritage and Awareness 10.1 Traditional knowledge 11.4 18 10.2 Protection of Palauan heritage 11.4 18 10.1 Community education and awareness 4.7, 12.8, 13.3 1 10.2 Professional training and awareness 4.3, 13.3 1, 2 11. Environmental Governance 11.1 Sustainable Financing 17.4 20 11.2 Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation 11.3 Environmental Legislative Framework development and review 12.2 6, 7 11.4 Environmental Policy and Strategy development and review 17.16 11.5 Capacity Building 17.18 11.6 Compliance and Enforcement 11.7 Stakeholder Engagement and Participatory Decision making 11 11.8 Gender and Social Inclusion Mainstreaming 5.5, 5a, 5c 1, 14 11 11.9 Communications and knowledge Management 17.18 19 76 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) Seagrass in Palau Rock Islands. Credit: © SPREP 77Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) 6. H UM AN R ES OU RC ES A ND F IN AN CI AL IM PL IC AT IO NS St ra te gi es in th e NE M S re fle ct o ng oi ng w or k an d ex is tin g pr io rit ie s, a nd m an y of th e ac tio ns a re a lre ad y in co rp or at ed in to e xi st in g fin an ci al re so ur ci ng p la ns . H ow ev er , i n th e ca se o f e ve ry st ra te gy , r es ou rc in g ne ed s re m ai n to m ee t t he ta rg et s by 2 03 0. F in an ci al im pl ic at io ns h er e ar e in di ca tiv e of lo ng -t er m c os ts a nd a re in cl ud ed fo r g en er al c om pa ris on . I nd iv id ua l p ol ic ie s (S ec tio n 1. 4) a re c os te d w he re p os si bl e an d co nt rib ut ed to th e es tim at es h er e. G iv en th e ra ng e an d sc op e of fi na nc ia l i m pl ic at io ns , t he s up po rt of th e w id er n et w or k of in te rn at io na l, re gi on al , a nd lo ca l p ar tn er a ge nc ie s an d st ak eh ol de rs , w ho se p or tfo lio s ov er la p w ith G ov er nm en t A ge nc ie s, is v ita l. NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 1. 1. 1 In cl us iv e st ra te gi c an d sp at ia l p la nn in g fo r c lim at e ch an ge im pa ct s lin k na tio na l a nd in te rn at io na l po lic ie s to s ta te p la ns Na tio na l s tra te gy fo r c lim at e ch an ge a da pt at io n, m iti ga tio n an d di sa st er ri sk m an ag em en t im pl em en te d, m in im is in g im pa ct to th e en vi ro nm en t t hr ou gh m ax im is in g Na tu re -b as ed So lu tio ns Na tio na l p la n co m pl et ed a nd e nd or se d by th e Pa la u Go ve rn m en t b y 20 25 1. 1. 2 Up da te D is as te r F ra m ew or k an d Co nt in ge nc y Pl an s Al l a sp ec ts o f c lim at e as se ss m en t a nd pr ep ar ed ne ss p la nn in g is s oc ia lly e qu ita bl e an d in cl us iv e, a nd ri sk s lik e fir e, la nd sl id es , a nd flo od in g ar e m in im is ed Cl im at e an d di sa st er ri sk m od el lin g, m ap s, an d pl an ni ng is in cl us iv e of g en de r a nd s oc ia l vu ln er ab ili ty 1. 1. 3 Ho lis tic C lim at e Ch an ge s ci en ce Sc ie nc e on h um an a nd e nv iro nm en ta l d im en si on s of c lim at e ch an ge g ui di ng n at io na l p ol ic y an d pl an ni ng is lo ca lly re le va nt Lo ca lly re le va nt c lim at e sc ie nc e is c on tin ua lly ge ne ra te d to g ui de a nd u pd at e na tio na l p la nn in g in iti at iv es 1. 1. 4 De fin e Vu ln er ab le P eo pl e an d m ai ns tre am th ei r sp ec ifi c ris ks a nd n ee ds in to p la ns Ad ap ta tio n, re si lie nc e, d is as te r r is k, a nd m iti ga tio n pl an s ar e in cl us iv e an d be ne fit th e m os t v ul ne ra bl e Sp ec ifi c st ra te gi es fo r a gr ee d vu ln er ab le g ro up s 1. 2. 1 Na tio na l a da pt at io n ac tio ns c on tin ue d Ad ap ta tio n ou tc om es p rio rit is ed in e nv iro nm en ta l, ag ric ul tu re , f oo d se cu rit y, pu bl ic h ea lth , d is as te r m an ag em en t, an d in fra st ru ct ur e pr og ra m m es ; pr ot ec te d ar ea s ga ps fi lle d, Im pl em en te d pr og ra m m es in cr ea se n at io na l ad ap ta tio n ca pa ci ty a nd p rio rit y co as ta l h ab ita ts pr ov id e cl im at e se rv ic es 1. 3. 1 In te rn at io na l c lim at e fin an ce s ec ur ed a nd c ha nn el le d to c om m un iti es Va st ly in cr ea se d Cl im at e Fi na nc e se cu re d to im pl em en t n at io na l, st at e, a nd c om m un ity ad ap ta tio n an d m iti ga tio n pr oj ec ts In te rn at io na l r es ou rc es a cc es se d to im pl em en t lo w -e m is si on a nd c lim at e- re si lie nt p ro je ct s an d pr og ra m m es 1. 4. 1 Co nt in ue d vi si bi lit y in in te rn at io na l c lim at e ne go tia tio n fo ra Ke y cl im at e in fo rm at io n co nc er ni ng in te rn at io na l re sp on si bi lit y fo r P al au ’s fu tu re is m ad e ob vi ou s to in te rn at io na l d el eg at es , w ith in cr ea si ng s up po rt fo r ad ap ta tio n fu nd in g an d Lo ss a nd D am ag e. Pa la u co nt in ue s to h av e an im pa ct in in te rn at io na l Cl im at e ne go tia tio ns 1. 5. 1 El ec tri ci ty g en er at ed th ro ug h re ne w ab le te ch no lo gi es 10 0% o f p ow er g en er at io n th ro ug h di ve rs ifi ed re ne w ab le re so ur ce s by 2 03 2 An nu al in cr ea se in re ne w ab le e le ct ric ity g en er at io n ra te s 1. 6. 1 An e co no m y w id e re du ct io n in G HG e m is si on s pa rti cu la rly th ro ug h en er gy , t ra ns po rta tio n, a nd w as te s ec to rs 22 % re du ct io n in e ne rg y se ct or G HG e m is si on s co m pa re d w ith 2 00 5 le ve ls b y 20 25 An nu al re du ct io n in n at io na l G HG e m is si on s 1. 6. 2 A re du ct io n in n at io na l e ne rg y co ns um pt io n 30 % re du ct io n in o ve ra ll na tio na l e ne rg y co ns um pt io n by 2 02 5 An nu al re du ct io n in n at io na l e ne rg y co ns um pt io n 1. 6. 3 Fu el u se re du ct io n in th e na tio na l t ra ns po rt se ct or Fu el u se re du ct io n in th e na tio na l l an d an d se a tra ns po rt se ct or An nu al fu el u se re du ct io n in th e tra ns po rt se ct or 78 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 1. 6. 4 Se t u p Ca rb on s eq ue st ra tio n an d Pa ym en t f or Ec os ys te m S er vi ce s sc he m es Pa la u is a c ar bo n ne ut ra l t ou ris t d es tin at io n an d hi gh s eq ue st er in g ha bi ta ts s uc h as m an gr ov es , fo re st s, a nd s ea gr as s ar e pr ot ec te d or re st or ed To ur is ts o ffs et c ar bo n em is si on s by fu nd in g na tio na l c ar bo n se qu es tra tio n in iti at iv es 1. 7. 1 M in im is at io n of a nn ua l i m po rte d qu an tit ie s of H FC s Re du ct io n in a nn ua l H FC im po rta tio n ra te s HF C co ns um pt io n re du ce d by 4 0% o f b as el in e qu an tit ie s by 2 02 459 2. 1. 1 In te gr at ed la nd u se p la nn in g an d zo ni ng Su st ai na bl e de ve lo pm en t o f l an d fo r a gr ic ul tu re , se ttl em en t, an d co m m er ci al a nd to ur is m en te rp ris es St at e M as te r P la n fo r e qu ita bl e an d in te gr at ed la nd -u se p la nn in g an d su st ai na bl e la nd u se 2. 1. 2 In cr ea se d ac ce ss to la nd re so ur ce s Pu bl ic a cc es s to la nd a nd w at er re so ur ce s in cr ea se d Ex pa ns io n of e qu ita bl e pu bl ic le as in g pr og ra m m es ac ro ss P al au 2. 1. 3 Su st ai na bl e La nd M an ag em en t ( SL M ) Ho m e, c om m er ci al , t ou ris m , a nd a gr ic ul tu ra l de ve lo pm en t p ro ce ed s w ith m in im al im pa ct o n th e en vi ro nm en t De cr ea si ng s ed im en ta tio n an d lo ss o f h ab ita t d ue to d ev el op m en t a nd m ai nt ai ne d pe rm ea bi lit y in de ve lo pe d ar ea s 2. 2. 1 Na tio na l a gr ic ul tu re s tra te gy Fo od p ro du ct io n tri pl ed b y 20 30 An nu al ly in cr ea se d yi el ds o f l oc al v eg et ab le a nd ro ot c ro ps , f ru it an d liv es to ck p ro du ct io n60 2. 2. 2 Lo ca l s us ta in ab le o rg an ic fo od p ro du ct io n Lo ca l o rg an ic fo od p ro du ct io n in cr ea se s In cr ea si ng n um be r o f o rg an ic c er tifi ed fo od s, fa rm s, a nd p ro du ct s 2. 2. 3 Ag ric ul tu ra l b io di ve rs ity p re se rv at io n Be st p ra ct ic e ag ric ul tu re im pl em en te d Fa rm in g pr ac tic es p rio rit is e ag ro bi od iv er si ty co ns er va tio n 2. 2. 4 Pr ev en tio n an d co nt ro l o f i nv as iv e al ie n sp ec ie s an d in va si ve s pe ci es Bi os ec ur ity k ee ps n ew in va si ve a lie n sp ec ie s ou t of P al au a nd in va si ve s pe ci es c on tro l m in im is es sp re ad In va si ve s pe ci es c on tro l e na bl es in cr ea si ng fr ui t pr od uc tio n 2. 3. 1 Pr ot ec tio n of h ig h- qu al ity a gr ic ul tu ra l s oi ls , s oi l en ha nc em en t, an d er os io n co nt ro l Pr od uc tiv e so ils a re m ai nt ai ne d an d in cr ea se d So il m an ag em en t, am en dm en t, ca rb on se qu es tra tio n, a nd e ro si on c on tro ls im pl em en te d 2. 4. 1 Pr ot ec tio n of w at er s up pl ie s W at er s up pl y qu al ity a nd q ua nt ity m ai nt ai ne d or im pr ov ed th ro ug h in te gr at ed h yd ro lo gi ca l p la nn in g Be st p ra ct ic es fo llo w ed in a gr ic ul tu re , f or es try , aq ua cu ltu re a nd in w as te a nd w as te w at er d is po sa l 2. 5. 1 Pr ot ec tio n of fo re st s Fo re st s m an ag ed s us ta in ab ly fo r m ul tip le ou tc om es Fo re st re so ur ce s m an ag ed to p ro te ct b io di ve rs ity , w at er s up pl ie s an d cu ltu ra l s ig ni fic an ce 2. 5. 2 Fo re st m on ito rin g an d re st or at io n re se ar ch Re se ar ch a nd m on ito rin g gu id es s us ta in ab le fo re st m an ag em en t Te rr es tri al m on ito rin g pr ot oc ol fo r P AN s ite s is de ve lo pe d an d im pl em en te d 2. 6. 1 Ex pa ns io n of P ro te ct ed A re as N et w or k (P AN ) Al l k ey te rr es tri al h ab ita t t yp es a nd 3 0% o f te rr es tri al re so ur ce s re pr es en te d in P AN b y 20 30 Be ac h st ra nd , r ai se d co ra lli ne a to ll, s w am p fo re st , an d bi rd a gg re ga tio n si te s ad de d to P AN b y 20 25 61 2. 6. 2 PA N En fo rc em en t Ec ol og ic al in te gr ity a nd b io di ve rs ity p ro te ct ed in PA N Na tio na l E nf or ce m en t o ffi ce rs a nd P AN R an ge rs en fo rc e re le va nt S ta te a nd N at io na l L aw s 2. 7. 1 M an ag em en t o f fi re in S av an na h la nd sc ap es Ri sk o f w ild fir e im pa ct s m in im is ed Fi re -d eg ra de d la nd s ar e re ha bi lit at ed 59 B as el in es w ill b e ca lc ul at ed fr om p as t H C FC c on su m p tio n b as el in es p lu s H FC c on su m p tio n in 2 02 0- 20 22 . ( K ig al i A m en d m en t, 2 01 6) 60 O O C c om m itm en t 61 N E P C (2 01 9) . 2 01 9 S ta te o f t he E nv iro nm en t R ep or t, R ep ub lic o f P al au . N at io na l E nv iro nm en ta l P ro te ct io n C ou nc il (N E P C ), G ov er nm en t of P al au : K or or , P al au . P ag e 61 79Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 2. 8. 1 M an ag em en t a nd c on se rv at io n of m an gr ov e fo re st s Ar ea l e xt en t o f m an gr ov e fo re st ed a re a re m ai ns st ab le In cr ea si ng u se o f N at ur e- ba se d so lu tio ns fo r cl im at e ad ap ta tio n an d sh or el in e pr ot ec tio n 2. 8. 2 Co as ta l r e- pl an tin g pr og ra m m es Sh or el in es p ro te ct ed fr om w av e ac tio n Sh or el in e re ve ge ta te d w ith a pp ro pr ia te s pe ci es (e .g . C as ua rin a, S ca ev lo a) 2. 9. 1 ER W s re m ov ed fr om th e la nd sc ap e Al l E RW s re m ov ed fr om th e la nd sc ap e an d fro m sh al lo w w at er s O rd in an ce re m ov al p ro gr am m es a ct iv e ac ro ss Pa la u 3. 1. 1 Co nd uc t S to ck A ss es sm en ts (fi nfi sh a nd in ve rte br at es , i nc lu di ng in m an gr ov es ) Un de rs ta nd in g of s ta nd in g st oc k an d le ve l o f ha rv es tin g th at le av es th e st oc k vi ab le Bi om as s, P op ul at io n, S PR fo r c om m er ci al ly im po rta nt s pe ci es a nd p ro te ct ed s pe ci es b y lo ca tio n (F is he rie s- in de pe nd en t d at a) 3. 1. 2 Co nd uc t H ar ve st A ss es sm en ts Un de rs ta nd in g of c ur re nt h ar ve st in g by s pe ci es , lo ca tio n, m et ho d, e tc . a nd in flu en ce s in h ar ve st in g (fi nfi sh a nd in ve rte br at es ) Fi sh er ie s- de pe nd en t d at a – es tim at e of c at ch pe r y ea r b y lo ca tio n an d se ct or fo r c om m er ci al ly im po rta nt s pe ci es , Es tim at es o f I UU fi sh in g fo r p ro te ct ed s pe ci es 3. 1. 3 Co nd uc t M ar ke t A ss es sm en ts a nd A na ly si s th at le ad s to im pr ov ed m ar ke tin g, p ric in g, a nd li ve lih oo ds Ga ps in m ar ke t a sp ec ts o f fi sh er ie s ar e fil le d, s uc h as ta rg et p ric es , i nc om es O ce an c lim at e ris k an d se qu es tra tio n da ta u se d to in fo rm fi na nc in g M ar ke t A ss es sm en t r ep or t Se qu es tra tio n va lu es d et er m in ed 3. 1. 4 Es ta bl is h an d im pr ov e Da ta s ha rin g an d fe ed ba ck sy st em s Da ta u se d to m an ag e ha rv es t l ev el s an d pr ic in g Th re sh ol ds fo r a ct io n es ta bl is he d 3. 2. 1 Co nd uc t N ea rs ho re M ar in e Sp at ia l P la nn in g (M SP ), in co rp or at in g Tr ad iti on al K no w le dg e, S pa tia l D at a, an d Be st A va ila bl e Da ta Da ta fo r t er rit or ia l w at er s (1 2 m ile s) in cr ea se d an d m ar in e ha bi ta ts z on ed /p la nn ed fo r m ul tip le us es in cl ud in g fo od s ec ur ity , e co no m ic u se s, a nd cu ltu ra l a nd s oc ia l u se s 10 0% S us ta in ab le O ce an P la n, w ith p ol ic ie s an d pr oc es se s fo r a da pt iv e m an ag em en t, de ve lo pe d an d ad op te d M ar in e sp at ia l p la ns in cl ud ed in s ta te m as te r p la ns 3. 3. 1 M an ag e Sp aw ni ng a nd A gg re ga tio n si te s Sp aw ni ng a nd a gg re ga tio n si te s pr ot ec te d (fu lly o r se as on al ly ) 10 0% S us ta in ab le O ce an P la n, w ith p ol ic ie s an d pr oc es se s fo r a da pt iv e m an ag em en t, de ve lo pe d an d ad op te d M ar in e sp at ia l p la ns in cl ud ed in s ta te m as te r p la ns 3. 3. 2 De ve lo p an d ad op t N at io na l a nd R eg io na l F is he rie s Pl an s fo r K iu kl , D es pe da l, O ut er is la nd s; A do pt a nd im pl em en t K or or F is he rie s Pl an ; U pd at e No rth er n Re ef s Pl an Fi sh er y zo ne s, S PR /s ize s, h ar ve st le ve ls , R ul es , Re gu la tio ns , B es t P ra ct ic es , e tc . s et a nd a do pt ed At le as t 5 C oa st al F is he rie s Pl an s ad op te d Sc ie nt ifi ca lly d ef en da bl e ca tc h lim its e st ab lis he d 3. 3. 3 M on ito r n ea rs ho re fi sh er ie s (fi sh er y, no t fi sh ) Su st ai na bl e ha rv es t r eg im es id en tifi ed a nd fis he rie s- de pe nd en t a nd fi sh er ie s- in de pe nd en t da ta c ol le ct ed a nd a na ly se d Sy st em /F ra m ew or k in p la ce s o th at n at io na l fis he rie s da ta fe ed s in to a nn ua l F is he rie s Pl an s an d lic en si ng , r eg is tra tio n sy st em , e tc . 3. 3. 4 Up da te n ea rs ho re fi sh er ie s re gu la tio ns ; e st ab lis h lic en si ng a nd p er m itt in g sy st em (b us in es s pe rm itt in g an d fis hi ng li ce ns es ) Co as ta l fi sh er ie s re gu la te d to e ns ur e su st ai na bl e ca tc h ac co rd in g to F is he rie s Pl an s A lic en si ng a nd re po rti ng s ys te m fo r m an ag em en t im pl em en te d an d en fo rc ed 80 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 3. 3. 5 Tr ai n an d bu ild c ap ac ity fo r fi sh er ie s m an ag em en t an d en fo rc em en t Co as ta l fi sh er ie s en fo rc em en t p ro gr am m e im pr ov ed Fi sh er ie s m on ito rin g an d m an ag em en t f ee ds ba ck in to fi sh er ie s pl an s an d in fo rm s ad ap tiv e m an ag em en t Re so ur ce s av ai la bl e to a llo w ro ut in e fis he rie s m on ito rin g an d co nt ro l o pe ra tio ns in in sh or e w at er s 3. 3. 6 In cr ea se F is he rie s aw ar en es s, in cl ud in g aw ar en es s ab ou t t ra di tio na l k no w le dg e an d tra di tio na l p ra ct ic es Pu bl ic s up po rt m ai nt ai ne d fo r i ns ho re fi sh er ie s m an ag em en t a nd re gu la tio n A fis he rie s aw ar en es s pr og ra m m e is in p la ce 3. 3. 7 Pr ov id e Ex te ns io n se rv ic es to d ev el op fi sh er y- ba se d liv el ih oo ds , a nd a ss is t w ith S ta nd ar d Bu ys , M ar ke t De ve lo pm en t a nd fi sh er a cc es s to m ar ke ts , a nd R is k Re du ct io n Fi sh er ie s co op er at iv es a nd a ss oc ia tio ns a bl e to ne go tia te lo w er c os ts , h ig he r i nc om es , b et te r p la n fo r s up pl y an d de m an d Su pp or te d Fi sh er ie s Co op er at iv es o r A ss oc ia tio ns in p la ce , w ith h ig he r i nc om es a nd lo w er ri sk s 3. 3. 8 St ab ili se a nd o pt im is e su pp ly a nd d em an d Sy st em s in p la ce to d et er m in e de m an d fo r ne ar sh or e fis he ry p ro du ct s by lo ca tio n an d se as on , an d sy st em s in p la ce to p ro du ce a nd d is tri bu te su pp ly to m ee t d em an d In cr ea si ng n um be r o f c on ne ct io ns /a gr ee m en ts be tw ee n fis he rs a nd b uy er s 3. 3. 9 Tr ac k an d pr om ot e Hi gh V al ue F is he ry p ro du ct s “F ro m H oo k to F or k” a lo ng a tr an sp ar en t a nd fa ir va lu e ch ai n Fi sh er y tra ck in g sy st em s (a pp s) tr ac k fis h an d co m m un ic at e th e pr ov en an ce o f fi sh er y pr od uc ts (in cl ud in g st or ie s ab ou t t he p ro du ce rs ) Ne ar sh or e fis he ry p ro du ct s fe tc h pr em iu m p ric es an d th os e pr ic es a re re tu rn ed to p ro du ce rs Co ns um er s ha ve in cr ea se d ap pr ec ia tio n an d pa yi ng m or e fo r fi sh er y pr od uc ts a nd p ro du ce rs (m en a nd w om en ) 3. 4. 1 Up da te a nd m od er ni se th e Na tio na l A qu ac ul tu re Po lic y Po lic y do cu m en t d ev el op ed a nd a do pt ed in li ne w ith m ar in e re gu la tio ns Po lic ie s ag re ed b et w ee n pr iv at e se ct or de ve lo pm en t a nd p ub lic s ec to r s up po rt an d su bs id ie s, w ith a gr ee d po lic ie s fo r s up po rt fo r f oo d se cu rit y ve rs us e xp or t a nd li ve lih oo d de ve lo pm en t, an d po lic ie s to e as e ac ce ss to c ap ita l 3. 4. 2 Pl an fo r a nd p ro vi de e xt en si on s er vi ce s to s up po rt ex pa ns io n of a qu ac ul tu re (s pe ci es ty pe s an d am ou nt ) A 30 0% in cr ea se in a qu ac ul tu re p ro du ct io n fo r fo od Lo ca tio ns fo r a qu ac ul tu re id en tifi ed a nd a gr ee d 3. 4. 3 St ab ili se , d iv er si fy , a nd d ec en tra lis e su pp ly o f aq ua cu ltu re s ee dl in gs 30 0% in cr ea se in s ee dl in g pr od uc tio n fro m a n in cr ea si ng n um be r o f s up pl ie rs In cr ea si ng n um be r o f s up pl ie rs , n um be r o f sp ec ie s, a nd to ta l n um be r o f s ee dl in gs p ro du ce d pe r y ea r; w ith d ec re as e in lo ss d ue to c lim at e or o th er ri sk s; w ith c ol la bo ra tio n be tw ee n go ve rn m en t a nd p riv at e se ct or 3. 4. 4 Pr ot ec t a nd e nf or ce a qu ac ul tu re p ro pe rty ; C la rif y fa rm o w ne rs hi p st at us a nd e nf or ce m en t c ap ac iti es in n ea rs ho re m ar in e w at er s Th ef t a nd p oa ch in g of a qu ac ul tu re fa rm s el im in at ed Pu bl ic s ec to r p ol ic ie s an d pr ac tic es in p la ce to de te r a nd e nf or ce p oa ch in g 3. 4. 5 Id en tif y an d ac ce ss in cr ea si ng n um be r a nd d iv er si ty of e xp or t m ar ke ts fo r c ul tu re d cl am s In cr ea si ng e xp or t o f c la m s w ith in cr ea si ng im pr ov em en ts o f f ar m er li ve lih oo ds (i n lin e w ith na tio na l f oo d po lic y) Ca pa ci ty to p ro fit fr om in te rn at io na l m ar ke ts in cr ea se d 3. 4. 6 Es ta bl is h an in st itu tio na lis ed tr ai ni ng a nd c ap ac ity bu ild in g pr og ra m m e fo r p riv at e se ct or p ar tic ip an ts Tr ai ni ng in a qu ac ul tu re b es t p ra ct ic es , b us in es s sk ill s, ri sk m an ag em en t, w rit in g an d ca pa ci ty to ac ce ss fi na nc ia l c ap ita l In cr ea si ng n um be r o f t ra in ed p ar tic ip an ts a ct iv el y en ga ge d in a qu ac ul tu re 81Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 3. 5. 1 Co nt in ue re gu la r m on ito rin g, c on du ct a no th er ro un d of P AM E, a nd c on si st en tly u se d at a to a ss es s ta rg et s an d ad ap t m an ag em en t. Up da te d PA N St at us re po rt fe ed s in to a nn ua l P AN pl an ni ng a nd s tra te gi es An nu al m on ito rin g re po rts fo r e ac h si te w ith re co m m en da tio ns fo r m an ag em en t PA N St at us R ep or t An nu al R ep or ts /M an ag em en t P la n up da te s fo r M PA s 3. 5. 2 Fi na lis e PA N St ra te gy , t o in cl ud e m ar in e sp at ia l pl an ni ng a nd s pa tia l t ar ge ts PA N St ra te gy in cl ud es s pa tia l, ha bi ta t, an d sp ec ie s ta rg et s St ra te gy d oc um en t a do pt ed 3. 5. 3 In cr ea se n um be r, si ze , a nd d iv er si ty o f M ar in e Pr ot ec te d Ar ea s M ic ro ne si a Ch al le ng e 20 30 ta rg et fo r s us ta in ab le m an ag em en t In cr ea se d ar ea s of c ha nn el s, b ac k an d de ep er re ef s, re ef fl at s, a nd s us ta in ab le u se a re as (e .g . to in cl ud e aq ua cu ltu re fa rm s) a nd c ul tu ra l s ite s pr ot ec te d as M PA s 3. 5. 4 En ha nc e an d st ab ili se P AN tr ai ni ng p ro gr am m es a nd ce rti fic at io n pr og ra m m es In cr ea se P AN C oo rd in at or a nd R an ge r c ap ac ity to m an ag e si te s, c on du ct s ur ve ys , a da pt m an ag em en t e nf or ce re le va nt la w s, w rit e re po rts , an d se ek in de pe nd en t f un ds . In cr ea si ng n um be r o f t ra in ed in di vi du al s In cr ea si ng n um be r o f s ki lls w ith tr ai ni ng pr og ra m m es 3. 6. 1 Al ig n fo re st ry a nd m ar in e pr og ra m m es o n M an gr ov e M an ag em en t M an gr ov es s ys te m at ic al ly p la nn ed fo r, in cl ud in g fo r c um ul at iv e im pa ct In cl us io n of m an gr ov es in P AN , L an d Us e, a nd M ar in e Sp at ia l P la ns 3. 6. 2 De te rm in e fin an ci al a nd e co sy st em v al ue s of m an gr ov es (a nd c or al re ef s) , i nc lu di ng fo od pr od uc tio n, c ar bo n st or ag e, re du ci ng c lim at e vu ln er ab ili tie s, c ul tu ra l t ie s, a nd e co sy st em s er vi ce s In cr ea se d st ud y an d sc ie nt ifi c da ta o f m an gr ov es in fo rm s m an ag em en t M an gr ov e so ci oe co no m ic a nd b io ph ys ic al re po rts 3. 6. 3 Es ta bl is h Pa ra m et er s an d St an da rd O pe ra tin g Pr ac tic es (S O Ps ) f or m an gr ov e (a nd c or al re ef ) m an ag em en t a nd re st or at io n De gr ad ed m an gr ov es a nd c or al re ef s re st or ed to in cr ea se v al ue Sc ie nt ifi ca lly -b as ed d oc um en ts w ith S O Ps 3. 6. 4 Im pr ov e pu bl ic a w ar en es s an d ap pr ec ia tio n fo r m an gr ov es M an gr ov e aw ar en es s pr og ra m m es im pl em en te d In cr ea si ng s up po rt fo r m an gr ov e pr ot ec tio n, fe w er le as es is su ed in m an gr ov es 3. 6. 5 Un de rs ta nd s ta tu s of U ne xp lo de d O rd in an ce s (U XO s) in m an gr ov es a nd ri ve rs Es tim at es a nd re co m m en da tio ns d ev el op ed (c ap tu re k no w le dg e of o ld er g en er at io n) UX O A ss es sm en t 3. 7. 1 Co nd uc t c or al m on ito rin g an d re se ar ch Re se ar ch a nd m on ito rin g gu id es s us ta in ab le re ef m an ag em en t Re gu la r C or al R ee f s ta tu s re po rts p ub lis he d 3. 7. 2 Im pr ov e co ra l r ee f m an ag em en t f or lo ng -t er m re si lie nc y Co ra l r ee f p la nn in g in cl ud es lo ng -t er m c lim at e ris ks a nd re si lie nc e Re si lie nt re ef s id en tifi ed a nd s us ta in ab ly m an ag ed 3. 7. 3 Es ta bl is h Pa ra m et er s an d St an da rd O pe ra tin g Pr ac tic es (S O Ps ) f or c or al re ef m an ag em en t a nd re st or at io n De gr ad ed c or al re ef s re st or ed to in cr ea se v al ue Sc ie nt ifi ca lly -b as ed d oc um en ts w ith S O Ps 3. 8. 1 De ve lo p an d pr om ot e ne w a nd u ni qu e m ar in e to ur is m p ro du ct s ou ts id e of K or or ’s n ea rs ho re re ef s, in cl ud in g fo r d iv in g, c ul tu ra l h is to ry , w ha le w at ch in g, sp or t fi sh in g, k ay ak in g, e tc . t o an in cr ea si ng ly di ve rs ifi ed c us to m er b as e Ea ch s ta te h as a t l ea st o ne m ar in e- ba se d to ur is m pr od uc t In cr ea si ng n um be r o f v is ito rs to s ta te s ou ts id e of Ko ro r 82 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 3. 8. 2 Up da te , e nh an ce , a nd re pe at ed ly o ffe r T ou r G ui de Tr ai ni ng P ro gr am s to m ax im is e ec on om ic v al ue s, m in im is e en vi ro nm en ta l i m pa ct s, a nd c or re ct ly co nv ey c ul tu ra l a nd n at ur al s to rie s Im pr ov e an d st an da rd is e th e de liv er y of P al au ’s m ar in e to ur is m p ro du ct s Up gr ad e th e ex pe rie nc es o ffe re d to m or e cu st om er s to g en er at e hi gh v al ue s pe r v is ito r In cr ea si ng n um be r o f t ou r g ui de s tra in ed in a n in cr ea si ng n um be r o f s ki lls a nd c ap ac iti es “C er tif y th e st or ie s” 3. 9. 1 As si st K or or S ta te to m ax im is e th e po te nt ia l o f t he Ro ck Is la nd s So ut he rn L ag oo n as a W or ld H er ita ge Si te W or ld H er ita ge s ta tu s pr om ot ed a nd m ai ns tre am ed Ne ga tiv e im pa ct s on to ur is t s ite s m in im is ed (e .g . Je lly fis h la ke ) Ex it su rv ey s in di ca te in cr ea se d kn ow le dg e of W or ld He rit ag e St at us In cr ea si ng d ol la rs d ue to W or ld H er ita ge S ta tu s 3. 10 .1 M ar in e w at er q ua lit y m on ito rin g M ar in e w at er q ua lit y ro ut in el y as se ss ed a ga in st in te rn at io na lly re co gn is ed g ui de lin es M on th ly n at io n- w id e m ar in e w at er q ua lit y sa m pl es co lle ct ed , a na ly se d an d re po rte d 3. 10 .2 M ar in e w at er q ua lit y m an ag em en t M ar in e po llu tio n pl an d ev el op ed a nd a do pt ed Le ak in g ve ss el s an d ot he r p ol lu ta nt s cl ea ne d up , re m ov ed , o r m in im is ed Pe rc en ta ge o f m ar in e po llu tio n pl an fu nd ed a nd im pl em en te d So ur ce s of le ak in g oi l r em ov ed 3. 11 .1 Fi na lis e an d ad op t u pd at ed R eg ul at io ns fo r t he M ar in e Pr ot ec tio n Ac t Re gu la tio ns a re c om pr eh en si ve fo r m ul tip le se ct or s Re gu la tio ns a do pt ed 3. 11 .2 Ag re e an d ad op t M ar in e en da ng er ed s pe ci es re gu la tio ns a nd li st , i n lin e w ith in te rn at io na l ag re em en ts En da ng er ed s pe ci es b et te r u nd er st oo d an d pr ot ec te d, in li ne w ith in te rn at io na l c om m itm en ts (e .g . C IT ES ) Sc ie nt ifi ca lly -d ef en si bl e Li st a do pt ed 3. 11 .3 M in im is e an d en fo rc e po ac hi ng o f p ro te ct ed s pe ci es Aw ar en es s, c om m un ity b uy -in , a nd e nf or ce m en t o f pr ot ec te d sp ec ie s im pr ov es Im pr ov in g Po pu la tio n an d si ze s ta tu s of en da ng er ed s pe ci es 3. 11 .4 M ap a nd p la n fo r h ig h bi od iv er si ty s ite s Hi gh B io di ve rs ity S ite s or H ig h Va lu e M ar in e Si te s m ap pe d an d in cl ud ed in m ar in e sp at ia l p la ns w ith su st ai na bl e us e or p ro te ct io n re gi m es In cr ea si ng n um be r o f H ig h Bi od iv er si ty a re as pr ot ec te d vi a na tio na l o r s ta te p la ns 4. 1. 1 Co -o rd in at ed c ro ss -s ec to r m an ag em en t o f t he PN M S M an ag em en t o f t he P NM S ba se d on a n al ig ne d an d jo in tly im pl em en te d m an ag em en t s tra te gy St re ng th en c ro ss -s ec to r a dm in is tra tio n, co or di na tio n, a nd jo in t p la nn in g ca pa ci tie s am on g ag en ci es w ith P NM S m an da te s 4. 1. 2 M ar in e Sp at ia l P la nn in g Su st ai na bl e m an ag em en t a nd p ro te ct io n of th e EE Z ac hi ev ed Pe rio di c re vi ew o f j oi nt ly a gr ee d Po lic y an d M ar in e Sp at ia l P la n (M SP ) 4. 1. 3 Su st ai na bl e Fi na nc in g Lo ng -t er m fi na nc in g fu nd s su st ai na bl e m an ag em en t o f t he P NM S Fi na nc in g fo r t he P NM S re vi ew ed a nn ua lly a nd is eq ui ta bl y di st rib ut ed 4. 2. 1 Su st ai na bl e ex pa ns io n of th e lo ca l p el ag ic fl ee t Su st ai na bl e lo ca l p el ag ic fi sh er y m ee ts fo od se cu rit y de m an d an d pr ov id es e co no m ic s ec ur ity Ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g to g ro w th e nu m be r o f l oc al ly ba se d fle et s/ fi sh er s pa rti ci pa tin g in th e pe la gi c fis he ry 4. 2. 2 Re gu la tio n an d en fo rc em en t o f t he o ffs ho re do m es tic a nd fo re ig n fis he ry Ill eg al , u nr ep or te d, a nd u nr eg ul at ed (I UU ) fi sh in g pr ev en te d in P al au ’s E EZ 10 0% e le ct ro ni c m on ito rin g an d re po rti ng a nd a t le as t 5 % o bs er ve r c ov er ag e of th e pe la gi c fis he ry 4. 2. 3 St re ng th en ed P ol e- an d- Li ne F is he ry M ai nt ai ne d an d af fo rd ab le s up pl y of S ki pj ac k fo r do m es tic c on su m pt io n In cr ea si ng p ro du ct io n an d co ns um pt io n of S ki pj ac k 4. 2. 4 Im pl em en ta tio n of A nc ho re d Fi sh A ttr ac tin g De vi ce (a FA D) s tra te gy aF AD s us ed to m ax im is e do m es tic fi sh er y po te nt ia l Nu m be r o f o pe ra tio na l a nd m ai nt ai ne d aF AD s hi ts op tim al n um be r a nd re m ai ns th er e 83Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 4. 3. 1 In cr ea se m on ito rin g, c on tro l, an d su rv ei lla nc e ac tiv iti es , b ot h ph ys ic al ly a nd d ig ita lly Pa la u’ s EE Z m an ag ed a nd p ro te ct ed Nu m be r o f M CS m is si on s in cr ea se s to o pt im al le ve l 4. 3. 2 In te rn at io na l a gr ee m en ts e xp an de d an d m ai nt ai ne d to p ro te ct P al au ’s b or de rs Al l i lle ga l a ct iv ity in th e PN M S (in cl ud in g an d be yo nd fi sh in g) b y in te rn at io na l A ct or s re du ce d Cr im in al a nd o th er il le ga l a ct iv iti es in th e PN M S an d EE Z re du ce d th ro ug h bi la te ra l a gr ee m en ts 4. 4. 1 Co m m un ic at io ns a nd E ng ag em en t Al ig ne d co m m un ic at io ns p ro du ct s fo r t he P NM S su pp or t m an ag em en t o bj ec tiv es Co m m un ic at io ns a nd E ng ag em en t S tra te gy a gr ee d an d im pl em en te d by c or e pa rtn er s 4. 4. 2 Re se ar ch m an ag em en t In cr ea si ng in fo rm at io n an d da ta a va ila bi lit y im pr ov es a da pt iv e m an ag em en t o f t he P NM S Re se ar ch S tra te gy a gr ee d an d im pl em en te d by co re p ar tn er s. Re se ar ch p ro je ct s pr io rit is ed to a dd re ss p rio rit y m an ag em en t im pe ra tiv es 4. 4. 3 Co m m un ity a w ar en es s Lo ng -t er m p ub lic s up po rt fo r t he s oc ia l, cu ltu ra l, ec on om ic , a nd e nv iro nm en ta l a sp ec ts o f t he m an ag em en t o bj ec tiv es o f t he P NM S m ai nt ai ne d Aw ar en es s an d in fo rm at io n ca m pa ig ns o n th e m an ag em en t o bj ec tiv es o f t he P NM S ro ut in el y in te rp re te d to p ub lic a ud ie nc es 4. 5. 1 Im pr ov em en t t o Da y Ve ss el B uy -b ac k pr og ra m m e an d ot he r L ic en si ng a nd P er m itt in g sc he m es In cr ea si ng o r s ta bi lis ed n at io na l i nc om e fro m th e EE Z Na tio na l i nc om e m ee ts ta rg et s 4. 5. 2 Sm al l b us in es s de ve lo pm en t In cr ea si ng e co no m ic s ta bi lit y fo r P al au an ’s op er at in g in th e PN M S, fo od s ys te m s, to ur is m m ar ke ts , o r o th er c on ne ct ed s ec to rs In cr ea si ng n um be r o f v ia bl e sm al l b us in es se s de pe nd en t o n, o r l in ke d to th e PN M S re gi st er in g an d st ay in g in b us in es s 4. 5. 3 Pe la gi c fis he ry p ro du ce d em an d ge ne ra tio n In cr ea se d de m an d fo r p el ag ic fi sh er y pr od uc ts dr iv es in cr ea si ng p ro du ct io n, a nd s ta bi lis in g su pp ly an d de m an d ge ne ra te s st ab le a ffo rd ab ili ty Th e Ch oo se P el ag ic c am pa ig n dr iv es in cr ea se d lo ca l c on su m pt io n of E EZ c au gh t p el ag ic fi sh 4. 5. 4 M ai nt en an ce a nd g ro w th o f t he P ris tin e Pa ra di se Pa la u br an d Th e PN M S ge ne ra te s hi gh -v al ue to ur is m op po rtu ni tie s an d dr iv es to ur is m d em an d In cr ea si ng d ol la r v al ue o f s us ta in ab le to ur is m in Pa la u 4. 6. 1 O ffs ho re b io di ve rs ity m ai nt ai ne d W ha le s, s ha rk s, a nd o th er p ro te ct ed s pe ci es po pu la tio ns m ai nt ai ne d Re du ce d by ca tc h an d IU U ca tc h of p ro te ct ed sp ec ie s 4. 6. 2 In te rn at io na l n eg ot ia tio ns re du ce th re at s to o ffs ho re en vi ro nm en ts In te rn at io na l t hr ea ts to th e PN M S in cl ud in g m ar in e de br is a nd C lim at e Ch an ge re du ce d Si gn ed in te rn at io na l a gr ee m en ts p ro vi de s up po rt fo r m ar in e de br is a nd c lim at e ad ap ta tio n/ m iti ga tio n 5. 1. 1 W at er C at ch m en t l an d us e pl an ni ng , z on in g, a nd pr ot ec tio n Up pe r c at ch m en ts a nd w at er sh ed s zo ne d, pr ot ec te d, o r r eh ab ili ta te d M ai nt ai ne d or in cr ea se d fo re st c ov er in w at er sh ed s ab ov e w at er s ou rc es 5. 1. 2 W at er q ua lit y an d qu an tit y pr ot ec tio n De ve lo pm en t m in im is es im pa ct o n w at er s up pl y Pe rm itt ed a ct iv iti es a vo id a dv er se w at er re so ur ce im pa ct s an d po in t ( es pe ci al ly d um ps ) a nd n on - po in t s ou rc e po llu tio n so ur ce s m in im is ed a nd re ha bi lit at ed 5. 2. 1 W at er C on se rv at io n Po ta bl e an d tre at ed w at er s ou rc es u se d ef fic ie nt ly Pr e- a nd p os t- co ns um er a ct io ns m in im is e w as te an d lo ss o f t re at ed w at er 5. 2. 2 Ad eq ua te p ro vi si on o f s af e an d re si lie nt w at er , pa rti cu la rly v ul ne ra bl e pe op le Cl ea n po ta bl e w at er a va ila bl e to 1 00 % o f t he po pu la tio n, in cl ud in g in th e ou te r i sl an ds , e ve n du rin g na tu ra l d is as te rs a nd ti m es o f s tre ss 10 0% o f h om es , i nc lu di ng n ew h om es a nd su bd iv is io ns , h av e ac ce ss to m ul tip le s ou rc es o f tre at ed w at er 84 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 5. 2. 3 Irr ig at io n su pp ly p la nn in g an d m an ag em en t Irr ig at io n w at er s up pl ie s av ai la bl e as n ee de d to th e ag ric ul tu ra l s ec to r Irr ig at io n de m an d m od el le d an d m an ag ed to en su re d el iv er y of a de qu at e ag ric ul tu ra l w at er su pp lie s 5. 2. 4 De cr ea se d co lif or m c ou nt s Re du ct io n in c ol ifo rm c on ta m in at io n in p ot ab le w at er In cr ea si ng c on ve rs io n of s ep tic ta nk s to s ew er sy st em s, a nd c on ve nt io na l p ig ge rie s to d ry li tte r sy st em s 5. 3. 1 Fr es hw at er q ua lit y m on ito rin g Fr es hw at er q ua lit y ro ut in el y as se ss ed a ga in st in te rn at io na lly re co gn is ed g ui de lin es M on th ly ri ve r a nd la ke w at er q ua lit y sa m pl es co lle ct ed , a na ly se d an d re po rte d 5. 3. 2 Fr es hw at er h yd ro lo gi ca l r es ea rc h an d m on ito rin g Fr es hw at er s up pl ie s ex tra ct ed s us ta in ab ly Ba se lin e re se ar ch a nd o ng oi ng h yd ro lo gi ca l m on ito rin g un de rta ke n an d re po rte d; c on se rv at io n sy st em s tri gg er ed b y w at er m on ito rin g th re sh ol ds 5. 4. 1 W et la nd h ab ita t p ro te ct io n Es tu ar in e ha bi ta ts , s w am p fo re st s, m es ei (t ar o pa tc he s) , a nd w et la nd s m ai nt ai ne d (n o ne t l os s) an d po pu la tio ns o f i nd ic at or w et la nd s pe ci es m ai nt ai ne d or in cr ea se d (c ro co di le , p ur pl e sw am ph en , i nv er te br at es , r ep til es ) Re gu la tio ns p ro te ct w et la nd s, w ith m ai nt ai ne d w et la nd c ov er ag e 5. 5. 1 Fr es hw at er la ke h ab ita t p ro te ct io n Pa la u’ s tw o fre sh w at er la ke s (N ga rd ok L ak e an d Ng er ka ll Po nd ) a re p ro te ct ed a nd m an ag ed in th e PA N M an ag em en t P la ns c om pl et ed fo r N ga rd ok L ak e an d Ng er ka ll Po nd 5. 5. 2 Ng er im el R es er vo ir re ha bi lit at ed Ng er im el D am fu nc tio ns a s a re si lie nt s ou rc e of w at er d ur in g dr ou gh ts W at er s to ra ge in th e da m in cr ea se d 6. 1. 1 En da ng er ed s pe ci es re gu la tio ns a nd a gr ee m en ts En da ng er ed S pe ci es R eg ul at io ns c om pl et ed , im pl em en te d, a nd e nf or ce d Re gu la tio ns G ov er ni ng E nd an ge re d Sp ec ie s pa ss ed a nd C IT ES li st a gr ee d 6. 1. 2 Re gu la to ry fr am ew or k fo r e nd an ge re d an d en de m ic sp ec ie s Pr ot ec te d Li fe A ct u pd at ed , B io se cu rit y Re gu la tio ns , M ar in e Pr ot ec te d Ac t R eg ul at io ns , an d PA N Ac t R eg ul at io ns u pd at ed to in cl ud e ne w un de rs ta nd in gs o f e nd an ge re d an d en de m ic sp ec ie s Ex em pt io ns fo r e nd em ic a nd e nd an ge re d sp ec ie s re m ov ed fr om re gu la to ry fr am ew or k 6. 1. 3 Sp ec ie s M an ag em en t P la ns fo r t hr ea te ne d bi od iv er si ty c om pl et ed a nd im pl em en te d, in li ne w ith na tio na l l aw s an d in te rn at io na l a gr ee m en ts Vi ab le p op ul at io ns o f t hr ea te ne d sp ec ie s liv e in Pa la u Sp ec ie s m an ag em en t p la ns d ev el op ed fo r en da ng er ed a nd o th er p rio rit y sp ec ie s in li ne w ith R am sa r, CM S, C BD , R am sa r, an d ot he r co m m itm en ts 6. 1. 4 Co m pr eh en si ve b io lo gi ca l i nv en to ry a nd a ss es sm en t of a ll is la nd e co sy st em s Co lle ct ed d at a us ed in a n ad ap tiv e m an ag em en t fra m ew or k to p ro te ct b io di ve rs ity Na tio na l B IO RA P un de rta ke n re gu la rly 6. 1. 5 In cr ea se d un de rs ta nd in g of g en et ic b io di ve rs ity , a nd Ac ce ss a nd B en efi t S ha rin g sy st em s es ta bl is he d Ag ro bi od iv er si ty m ai nt ai ne d an d be ne fit s fro m m ar in e an d co ra l g en et ic d iv er si ty a cc ru ed in Pa la u AB S sy st em a gr ee d 6. 1. 6 Bi od iv er si ty p rio rit ie s es ta bl is he d fo r e ac h is la nd , w ith in cr ea se d lo ca l a nd n at io na l a w ar en es s Go ve rn m en t a nd n on -g ov er nm en t o rg an is at io ns co ns ul te d on b io di ve rs ity p rio rit ie s Ap pr op ria te p ol ic ie s an d le gi sl at io n on e co sy st em s se rv ic es fo rm ul at ed 6. 2. 1 Pr ev en tio n of th e in tro du ct io n an d es ta bl is hm en t o f in va si ve s pe ci es In tro du ct io n or in te rn al s pr ea d of in va si ve s pe ci es pr ev en te d Ea rly d et ec tio n of , a nd ra pi d ac tio n ag ai ns t n ew in tro du ct io ns o f p ot en tia lly in va si ve s pe ci es 85Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 6. 2. 2 Im pa ct s of e xi st in g in va si ve s pe ci es m in im is ed Pr io rit is ed in va si ve s pe ci es a re c on tro lle d or re m ov ed IA S m an ag em en t a ct io ns a re id en tifi ed a nd im pl em en te d th ro ug h in ve nt or y, as se ss m en t, an d pr io rit is at io n ac tiv iti es 6. 3. 1 Pr ot ec te d Ar ea s Ne tw or k (P AN ) PA N sy st em e xp an de d to in cl ud e m is si ng k ey ha bi ta ts , e nf or ce m en t i m pr ov ed a t t he N at io na l an d St at e le ve ls , a nd p riv at e co ns er va tio n la nd s su pp or te d un de r P AN Na tio na l P AN M an ag em en t S tra te gy a nd A ct io n Pl an im pl em en te d 6. 3. 2 Hi gh c on se rv at io n si te s pr ot ec te d Hi gh C on se rv at io n Si te s ha ve im pr ov ed b io di ve rs ity co ns er va tio n an d ec os ys te m h ea lth s ta tu s Un de r- re pr es en te d ec os ys te m s (m an gr ov es , sw am p fo re st s ar e id en tifi ed a nd p ro te ct ed in th e PA N 6. 4. 1 St at e of th e En vi ro nm en t R ep or tin g Re gu la r r ev ie w o f n at io na l e nv iro nm en ta l s ta tu s So E Re po rt up da te d ev er y fiv e ye ar s 6. 4. 1 Ad ap tiv e m an ag em en t M on ito rin g sy st em s fe ed in to a da pt iv e m an ag em en t s ys te m s In cr ea si ng p er ce nt ag e of m on ito rin g da ta an al ys ed , r ep or te d, a nd a ct ed u po n to c on tin ua lly re vi se b io di ve rs ity p rio rit ie s 6. 5. 1 Bi od iv er si ty c on se rv at io n m ai ns tre am ed , i nc lu di ng in to to ur is m , c ul tu ra l s ite p ro te ct io n, fo od p ro du ct io n, an d de ve lo pm en t Co ra l r ee f a nd fo re st d is tu rb an ce s m in im is ed a t lo ca l s ca le s Su st ai na bl e ca rr yi ng c ap ac ity ra ng es a re es ta bl is he d, d et er m in in g ac ce pt ab le le ve ls o f en vi ro nm en ta l, cu ltu ra l, an d co m m un ity im pa ct s 6. 5. 2 Su st ai na bl e to ur is m Su st ai na bl e to ur is m a ch ie ve d th ro ug h ac cr ed ita tio n an d au di t Ec o- fri en dl y to ur is m c er tifi ca tio n sy st em im pl em en te d 7. 1. 1 Co m pr eh en si ve w as te m in im is at io n an d m an ag em en t Pa la u In te gr at ed W as te P ol ic y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 7- 20 26 ) i s fu lly im pl em en te d W as te is p re ve nt ed , r ed uc ed , a nd m an ag ed to m in im is e en vi ro nm en ta l a nd h um an h ea lth im pa ct s 7. 1. 2 Im pr ov ed w as te m an ag em en t ( co lle ct io n, se gr eg at io n, tr an sf er , r ec ov er y an d di sp os al ) s er vi ce s pr ov id ed in K or or a nd th e O ut er Is la nd s Pa la u In te gr at ed W as te P ol ic y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 7- 20 26 ) i s fu lly im pl em en te d Al l w as te s ar e co lle ct ed a nd m an ag ed to m in im is e en vi ro nm en ta l a nd h um an h ea lth im pa ct s by 2 02 5 7. 1. 3 Im pr ov ed in te rn at io na l a nd n at io na l r eg ul at or y fra m ew or k to p re ve nt w as te Re du ce d im po rta tio n of p la st ic s an d gl as s Ru le s an d fin an ci al m ec ha ni sm s to re du ce v ol um e of p la st ic a nd g la ss th at b ec om es w as te 7. 2. 1 Na tio na l l an dfi ll co nt in ue s to o pe ra te to in te rn at io na l st an da rd s Pa la u In te gr at ed W as te P ol ic y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 7- 20 26 ) i s fu lly im pl em en te d Na tio na l l an dfi ll is c lim at e pr oo fe d an d 8 w as te tra ns fe r s ta tio ns in o pe ra tio n 7. 2. 2 Ba be ld ao b St at e la nd fil ls c lo se d an d re ha bi lit at ed O ld la nd fil ls h av e ne gl ig ib le e nv iro nm en ta l i m pa ct s In cr ea si ng n um be r o f o ld la nd fil ls c lo se d, c ap pe d, re ha bi lit at ed a nd m on ito re d 7. 2. 3 O ut er is la nd la nd fil ls m an ag ed O ut er is la nd la nd fil ls m ee t s an ita ry s ta nd ar ds , in cl ud e se gr eg at io n an d pa th w ay s fo r r ec yc lin g an d ha zm at d is po sa l, ar e re ha bi lit at ed to re du ce en vi ro nm en ta l a nd h ea lth im pa ct s, o r a re co m pa ct ed O ut er is la nd la nd fil l p la ns d ev el op ed a nd a gr ee d an d an in cr ea si ng n um be r o f a ct io ns im pl em en te d 7. 3. 1 Na tio na l r ec yc lin g pr og ra m m es fo r p la st ic , m et al , UL AB s, p ap er , a nd E -w as te Pa la u In te gr at ed W as te P ol ic y an d Ac tio n Pl an (2 01 7- 20 26 ) i s fu lly im pl em en te d Al l e xp or ta bl e re cy cl ab le w as te is c ol le ct ed , se pa ra te d, a nd s en t o ffs ho re fo r r ec yc lin g by 2 02 5 In cr ea si ng w as te -t o- en er gy c on ve rs io n 7. 3. 2 Ho us eh ol d se gr eg at io n Ho m es o n Ko ro r a nd B ab el da ob re cy cl e 10 0% o f b ev er ag e co nt ai ne rs , g la ss , p ap er , a nd re cy cl ab le m et al s us ed in th e ho m e ar e re cy cl ed 86 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 7. 3. 3 Sc ra p m et al re cy cl in g Pa th w ay s fo r s cr ap m et al re cy cl in g de te rm in ed an d pu rs ue d Ag re em en ts in p la ce fo r s cr ap m et al re cy cl in g 7. 4. 1 O rg an ic w as te c om po st ed O rg an ic w as te s ar e se pa ra te d an d co m po st ed Re du ce d or ga ni c w as te e nt er in g la nd fil ls In cr ea si ng c om po st a nd b io ga s av ai la bi lit y 7. 4. 2 Fo od w as te re du ce d Le ss fo od w as te d, a nd fo od th at is w as te d is co m po st ed Re du ce d fo od w as te e nt er in g th e la nd fil l 7. 5. 1 De di ca te d la nd fil l s to ra ge a re as fo r d iff er en t w as te ty pe s in cl ud in g ha za rd ou s w as te s Ha za rd ou s w as te s, m et al s, ti re s, la rg e pl as tic s, e tc . ar e se pa ra te d an d st or ed s ec ur el y at th e la nd fil l pr io r t o ex po rt Se gr eg at ed s to ra ge a re as a re in o pe ra tio n 7. 5. 2 M ed ic al a nd b io lo gi ca l w as te d is po sa l Bi oh az ar d w as te s tre at ed b y hi gh te m pe ra tu re in ci ne ra tio n Hi gh te m pe ra tu re tw o ch am be r w as te in ci ne ra to r op er at io na l 7. 6. 1 Di sa st er w as te m an ag em en t Di sa st er w as te m an ag em en t e qu ip m en t a nd s ite s av ai la bl e fo r e m er ge nc y us e Di sa st er W as te P la n in co rp or at ed in th e Na tio na l Di sa st er R es po ns e Pl an 7. 7. 1 Pl as tic m an ag em en t W as te p la st ic g en er at io n m in im is ed Ex ec ut iv e O rd er s an d la w s on li m iti ng s in gl e- us e pl as tic s en fo rc ed n at io na lly 7. 7. 2 Co nt in ue d na tio na l v is ib ili ty in in te rn at io na l m ar in e pl as tic n eg ot ia tio n fo ra Ke y in fo rm at io n co nc er ni ng th e im pa ct s of m ar in e pl as tic is m ad e ob vi ou s to in te rn at io na l d el eg at es Pa la u co nt in ue s to h av e an im pa ct in in te rn at io na l m ar in e lit te r n eg ot ia tio ns a nd o ut co m es 8. 1. 1 Na tio na l I m pl em en ta tio n Pl an (N IP ) NI P in li ne w ith in te rn at io na l a gr ee m en ts a nd co nv en tio ns , a nd e nd or se d by G ov er nm en t NI P is u pd at ed in 2 02 2 to m ee t U NE P re qu ire m en ts 8. 1. 2 Ch em ic al in ve nt or y an d im po rt tra ck in g sy st em es ta bl is he d Ty pe s an d qu an tit ie s of h az ar do us m at er ia ls in Pa la u es ta bl is he d an d tra ck ed a nd a lig ne d w ith in te rn at io na l d at ab as es Al l I m po rt Lo gs b ac kt ra ck ed , c ro ss -r ef er en ce d w ith H ar m on ize d Co de s, a nd d at ab as e co nt in ua lly up da te d 8. 1. 3 Na tio na l c he m ic al m an ag em en t s tra te gy in cl ud es pr oc ed ur es a nd p at hw ay s fo r e nt ry , s to ck pi lin g, a nd di sp os al Al l c he m ic al s im po rte d in to P al au a re m an ag ed to pr ot ec t t he e nv iro nm en t a nd h um an h ea lth , a le rt sy st em w or ki ng a nd e ffe ct iv e, a nd c ap ac ity to m an ag e ch em ic al s in cr ea se d Le gi sl at io n, re gu la tio ns a nd p ro to co ls to c on tro l im po rta tio n of a ll pr io rit y ch em ic al s re vi ew ed , up da te d an d en fo rc ed Bo rd er a le rts s ys te m e st ab lis he d 8. 1. 4 M ai ns tre am c he m ic al s m an ag em en t i nt o na tio na l po lic ie s Ri sk s fro m c he m ic al s m in im is ed d ur in g di sa st er s Ch em ic al s m an ag em en t m ai ns tre am ed in to Cl im at e Ch an ge a nd D is as te r R is k pl an s 8. 1. 5 Ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g to m an ag e ch em ic al s Pa la u ha s lo ca l e xp er tis e in s af el y m an ag in g ch em ic al s In cr ea si ng n um be r o f t ra in ed in di vi du al s re ta in ed in P al au 8. 2. 1 Ill eg al p es tic id es e lim in at ed a nd u se d pe st ic id e co nt ai ne r m an ag em en t In ci de nt al p es tic id e lo ss to th e en vi ro nm en t m in im is ed Ill eg al p es tic id es n o lo ng er u se d an d re m ov ed , an d Us ed (e m pt y) p es tic id e co nt ai ne rs a re s af el y re cy cl ed a t t he la nd fil l 8. 2. 2 Po ly ch lo rin at ed b ip he ny l ( PC B) m an ag em en t Al l P CB s fo un d, s af el y st oc kp ile d, a nd re m ov ed fro m P al au Na tio na l i nv en to ry o f P CB s co m pl et ed 8. 2. 3 Pe rfl uo ro oc ta ne s ul fo ni c ac id (P FO S) m an ag em en t Ex pi re d AF FF s to ck s fo un d, s af el y st oc kp ile d, a nd re m ov ed fr om P al au Na tio na l i nv en to ry o f A FF Fs c om pl et ed 8. 3. 1 Na tio na l m an ag em en t o f c on ta m in at ed s ite s Al l p ot en tia lly c on ta m in at ed s ite s in ve st ig at ed a nd w he re n ec es sa ry , r em ed ia te d Co nt am in at ed s ite s as se ss ed , p rio rit is ed a nd re m ed ia te d 87Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 8. 3. 2 Sm al le r r ur al la nd fil ls a nd c on ta m in at ed s ite s re m ed ia te d Ha za rd ou s m at er ia ls s af el y se pa ra te d an d re m ov ed , a nd c on ta m in at ed s oi l r em ov ed fr om Pa la u In cr ea si ng n um be r o f r ur al la nd fil ls (B ab el da ob a nd ou te r i sl an ds ) c lo se d an d re ha bi lit at ed 8. 3. 3 Ai rfi el d co nt am in at ed s ite s re m ed ia te d AF FF c on ta m in at ed s oi l r em ov ed fr om P al au Co nt am in at ed s oi l r em ov ed a nd s hi pp ed o ffs ho re fo r d es tru ct io n 8. 3. 4 Ef fic ie nt u se o f t he M -D oc k la nd fil l M -D oc k si te s af el y ca pp ed a nd m an ag ed M -D oc k cl os ed in 5 y ea rs (o r w he n fu ll) a nd ca pp ed 8. 3. 5 Ai ra i L an dfi ll m an ag ed to re du ce c he m ic al ru no ff Ai ra i L an dfi ll dr ai na ge a nd v en til at io n re ha bi lit at ed to m in im is e dr ai na ge o f c he m ic al s in to A ira i B ay Ai ra i L an dfi ll ca pp ed a nd e ng in ee rin g so lu tio ns em pl oy ed a ro un d m ar gi ns 8. 4. 1 Ill eg al o il di sp os al a nd O il sp ill s m an ag ed a nd co nt ai ne d En vi ro nm en ta l d am ag e ca us ed b y ac ci de nt al o r de lib er at e oi l r el ea se s m in im is ed Fi na lis e Na tio na l O il Sp ill R es po ns e Pl an In cr ea si ng c ap ac ity to re sp on d to o il sp ill s 8. 4. 2 Ex is tin g oi l s pi lls a nd re le as es c le an ed Am ou nt o f o il in th e en vi ro nm en t r ed uc ed In cr ea si ng n um be r o f l ea ki ng s hi ps a nd o ld c ar s re m ed ie d 8. 5. 1 M er cu ry m an ag em en t Na tio na l m er cu ry m an ag em en t p rio rit ie s id en tifi ed , in cl ud in g m er cu ry in th e en vi ro nm en t a nd fr om fo od s ou rc es , a nd e xi st in g m er cu ry fo un d, s af el y st oc kp ile d, a nd re m ov ed M in im at a Co nv en tio n In iti al A ss es sm en t ( M IA ) co m pl et ed 8. 5. 2 Us ed b at te ry m an ag em en t Ba si l C on ve nt io n Pr ot oc ol s im pl em en te d w ith p rio r co ns en t In cr ea si ng n um be r o f b at te rie s re m ov ed fr om Pa la u 8. 5. 3 Fe rti lis er s to ck pi le s m an ag ed Fe rti lis er u se m in im is es d am ag e to d ow ns tre am en vi ro nm en ts De cr ea si ng fe rti lis er u se 8. 5. 4 Ch em ic al s un sc re en b an c om pl ia nc e an d en fo rc em en t No il le ga l s un sc re en s im po rte d in to P al au M on ito rin g do es n ot d et ec t p re se nc e of il le ga l ch em ic al s fro m s un sc re en s 8. 5. 5 O th er c he m ic al s, in cl ud in g le ad a nd a sb es to s, tra ck ed a nd m an ag ed Re du ce d en vi ro nm en ta l a nd h ea lth im pa ct fr om ch em ic al s De cr ea si ng s ou rc es o f l ea d an d as be st os 8. 6. 1 Pa rti ci pa tio n in th e Gl ob al (C he m ic al ) M on ito rin g Pl an (G M P) In ve nt or y Da ta a va ila bl e on P O Ps a nd c he m ic al co nc en tra tio ns in P al au in a n ac ce ss ib le a nd up da te d da ta ba se Sa m pl es fr om p rio rit y na tio na l e nv iro nm en ta l m at ric es c ol le ct ed a nd a na ly se d an nu al ly u nd er th e GM P 8. 6. 2 Pu bl ic h ea lth m on ito rin g Pu bl ic h ea lth p ro te ct ed Ro ut in e na tio na l m on ito rin g of s ew er a nd s ep tic ou tfl ow s, a nd p ol lu tio n po in t s ou rc es (i nc lu di ng la nd fil ls ) 8. 6. 3 Un in te nt io na l P er si st en t O rg an ic C he m ic al (u PO Ps ) m on ito rin g Pa la u m ee ts S to ck ho lm C on ve nt io n uP O Ps re po rti ng re qu ire m en ts uP O Ps d at a co lle ct ed a nd a na ly se d ev er y fiv e ye ar s (2 02 3 an d 20 28 ), fe ed s in to d at ab as e, a nd le ad s to a da pt iv e m an ag em en t 8. 6. 4 Na tio na l p ro gr es s re po rts to th e St oc kh ol m Co nv en tio n Se cr et ar ia t Pa la u m ee ts S to ck ho lm C on ve nt io n re po rti ng re qu ire m en ts St oc kh ol m re po rts s ub m itt ed e ve ry fo ur y ea rs 9. 1. 1 La nd u se p la nn in g Na tio na l i nf or m at io n- ba se d la nd u se p la nn in g M ai nt ai ne d, u pd at ed a nd im pr ov ed P AL AR IS da ta ba se u se d to e ns ur e fa ct -b as ed la nd u se pl an ni ng 9. 1. 2 Cl im at e- re si lie nt B ui ld in g Co de s En vi ro nm en ta l s ta nd ar ds a nd c lim at e re si lie nc e m ai nt ai ne d or im pr ov ed b y bu ilt in fra st ru ct ur e Bu ild in g co de s co ns is te nt w ith la nd u se p la nn in g an d zo ni ng s ch em es e nf or ce d 88 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 9. 2. 1 W at er s up pl y pl an ni ng Ba be ld ao b re si de nt s ha ve a cc es s to a de qu at e su pp lie s of s af e po ta bl e w at er Fe as ib ili ty o f a c on so lid at ed w at er s ys te m fo r Ba be ld ao b in ve st ig at ed 9. 2. 2 Da m a nd in fra st ru ct ur e m ai nt en an ce W at er s to ra ge in fra st ru ct ur e m ai nt ai ne d an d pr ot ec te d fro m s al tw at er in tru si on Ro ut in e m ai nt en an ce o f d am s & in fra st ru ct ur e fo r gr ou nd w at er s ou rc es 9. 2. 4 Ra in w at er h ar ve st in g an d st or ag e Be st p ra ct ic e ha rv es tin g an d st or ag e of ra in w at er W at er ta nk s av ai la bl e fo r v ul ne ra bl e pe op le , in cl ud in g tra in in g an d m ai nt en an ce to ra is e w at er qu al ity 9. 2. 5 W at er s up pl y se cu rit y Ne w p ip es a nd n ew w at er s to ra ge s fo r u rb an su bd iv is io ns W at er s up pl y in fra st ru ct ur e ou ts id e of K or or ex pa nd ed a nd u pg ra de w at er to m ee t d em an d 9. 2. 6 Di sa st er w at er s up pl ie s Sa fe p ot ab le w at er s up pl ie s m ai nt ai ne d du rin g di sa st er s an d ot he r e m er ge nc ie s Ba ck -u p cl im at e pr oo f w at er s ou rc es (e .g . de sa lin is at io n &/ or w at er ta nk s) fo r v ul ne ra bl e pe op le a nd c om m un iti es 9. 3. 1 Im pr ov ed h om e sa ni ta tio n Se w ag e do es n ot c on ta m in at e w at er w ay s, g ro un d or la go on w at er q ua lit y Im pr ov e ho m e sa ni ta tio n (in cl ud in g ga rb ag e, di se as e ve ct or s, in va si ve s pe ci es v ec to rs , l ea ki ng se w ag e sy st em s, u n se rv ic ed s ep tic s) 9. 3. 2 Im pr ov ed s ew ag e m an ag em en t Se w ag e sy st em s up gr ad ed to m in im is e en vi ro nm en ta l i m pa ct s Im pr ov e le gi sl at iv e an d po lic y en vi ro nm en t t o en ab le a nd s tre am lin e en fo rc em en t r eq ui re m en ts fo r h om e/ ho us eh ol d sa ni ta tio n 9. 3. 3 W at er a nd e ffl ue nt m on ito rin g Tr ai ne d te ch ni ci an s op er at e in c er tifi ed lo ca l la bo ra to rie s to d et ec t c he m ic al s an d ad vi se m an ag er s Lo ca l l ab or at or ie s ha ve c ap ac ity to d et ec t a n in cr ea si ng n um be r o f c he m ic al s an d bi ol og ic al pa ra m et er s 9. 4. 1 Ur ba n po llu tio n No n- po in t s ou rc e ur ba n po llu tio n m in im is ed Im pl em en te d st an da rd s, b es t p ra ct ic es , r em ed ia l w or ks a nd e du ca tio n pr og ra m m es re du ce p ol lu tio n fro m u rb an /b ui lt ar ea s 9. 4. 2 En vi ro nm en ta l I m pa ct A ss es sm en t Al l p er m itt ed d ev el op m en ts a re ro ut in el y m on ito re d an d co m pl ia nc e en fo rc ed Al l d ev el op m en t a ct iv iti es m us t u nd er go a n EA /E IA an d pe rm itt in g pr oc es s 9. 4. 3 Cu m ul at iv e im pa ct m an ag em en t Al l a pp ro ve d de ve lo pm en ts d o no t c om pr om is e lo ca l a nd h is to ric e nv iro nm en ts Ac ce pt ab le c um ul at iv e im pa ct s de te rm in ed fo r lo ca tio ns a nd h ab ita ts (e .g . f or m an gr ov e fil lin g) 9. 5. 1 Cl im at e pr oo f f oo d de liv er y in fra st ru ct ur e Fo od d el iv er y in fra st ru ct ur e is c lim at e- pr oo f a nd se cu re d ag ai ns t d is as te r r is ks Cl im at e re si lie nt fo od s up pl y in fra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pe d (in cl ud in g Ce nt ra l M ar ke t/P el ag ic F is h Pr oc es si ng & L an di ng , F oo d di st rib ut io n an d St or ag e) 9. 5. 2 Cl im at e pr oo f u rb an in fra st ru ct ur e Su st ai na bl e ac ce ss ib ili ty o n Ba be ld ao b Ro ad s, d ra in ag e, u til ity s er vi ce s on B ab el da ob cl im at e re si lie nt 9. 5. 3 Ur ba n am en ity Ur ba n liv ea bi lit y fo r a ll re si de nt s im pr ov ed Ur ba n in fra st ru ct ur e, s id ew al ks , n at iv e tre e pl an tin g & be au tifi ca tio n pr og ra m m es im pl em en te d 9. 6. 1 Su st ai na bl e to ur is m An e xp an de d to ur is m in du st ry (i nc lu di ng Ba be ld ao b) h as n o ne t i m pa ct o n Pa la u’ s na tu ra l en vi ro nm en t De te rm in e ca rr yi ng c ap ac iti es /ta rg et v is ita tio n nu m be rs fo r s en si tiv e ha bi ta ts a nd lo ca tio ns 89Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 9. 6. 2 To ur is m in du st ry e xp an si on m an ag ed to p ro te ct Pa la u’ s na tu ra l e nv iro nm en t Su st ai na bl e to ur is m c ar ry in g ca pa ci ty ra ng es a re de te rm in ed a nd e nf or ce d En co ur ag e, p ro m ot e, re gu la te to ur is m fa ci lit y de ve lo pm en t ( e. g. h ot el s) th at a re in li ne w ith R TP F (e co -t ou ris m , l ow e nv iro nm en ta l i m pa ct , h ig h- en d, ni ch e) 9. 6. 3 Bi od iv er si ty c on se rv at io n pr io rit is ed in p la nn in g an d de ve lo pm en t o n ea ch is la nd Is la nd d ev el op m en ts d o no t c om pr om is e na tio na l bi od iv er si ty Bi od iv er si ty c on se rv at io n m ai ns tre am ed in a ll as pe ct s of N at io na l a nd S ta te p la nn in g an d de ve lo pm en t 10 .1 .1 Tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e an d pr ac tic es c ap tu re d Tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e an d pr ac tic es a ro un d ag ric ul tu re , fi sh er ie s, a gr of or es try , f or es try , bi od iv er si ty , a nd c on se rv at io n co m pi le d an d di ss em in at ed “C al en da rs ” ba se d on tr ad iti on al ti m in g m et ho ds fo r a qu ac ul tu re , h ar ve st in g of m ar in e an d fo re st pr od uc ts a nd a gr ic ul tu re a va ila bl e 10 .1 .2 Tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e rig ht s pr ot ec te d Fa ir an d eq ui ta bl e sh ar in g of b en efi ts a ris in g fro m th e us e of tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e an d ge ne tic re so ur ce s Na tio na l o bl ig at io ns u nd er th e Na go ya P ro to co l en fo rc ed 10 .1 .3 Tr ad iti on al a gr ic ul tu re te ch ni qu es a nd p ro m ot io n Se di m en t l oa ds to m ar in e en vi ro nm en ts re du ce d62 In cr ea si ng c ro p pr od uc tio n us in g tra di tio na l pr ac tic es , l in ke d w ith in cr ea si ng c on su m pt io n of tra di tio na l f oo ds 10 .1 .4 Tr ad iti on al fi sh er ie s pr ac tic es Tr ad iti on al fi sh in g gr ou nd s (fo r m en a nd w om en ) re co gn is ed a nd z on ed fo r fi sh in g, a nd in cr ea si ng us e of tr ad iti on al fi sh er y pr ac tic es Fo od s ec ur ity li nk ed to tr ad iti on al fi sh in g pr ac tic es 10 .1 .5 Tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e an d Tr ad iti on al v al ue s ce le br at ed a nd p er pe tu at ed Tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e va lu ed e qu ita bl y as a s ou rc e of d at a an d in fo rm at io n fo r m an ag in g Pa la u’ s en vi ro nm en t a nd re so ur ce s In cr ea se d aw ar en es s an d un de rs ta nd in g of tra di tio na l k no w le dg e an d m ai ns tre am in g of tra di tio na l k no w le dg e pr oc es se s in to p la ns a nd de ci si on -m ak in g 10 .2 .1 Pr ot ec tio n of P al au an h er ita ge Pa la u’ s na tu ra l a nd c ul tu ra l h er ita ge a nd c ul tu ra l si te s ar e do cu m en te d, m an ag ed , a nd p ro te ct ed Th e cu ltu ra l m an ag em en t s ec to r h as a de qu at e hu m an a nd fi na nc ia l r es ou rc es 10 .2 .2 A Ri gh ts -b as ed a pp ro ac h is in co rp or at ed in to la nd us e pl an ni ng a nd m ar in e pl an ni ng Ac ce ss to tr ad iti on al fi sh in g gr ou nd s, m es ei , a nd tra di tio na l m ed ic in al p la nt s is p ro te ct ed Pl an s in cr ea si ng ly in co rp or at e a rig ht s- ba se d ap pr oa ch a nd a h ol is tic v ie w po in t t ha t c on si de rs ge nd er s an d so ci al g ro up s 10 .2 .3 Ge nd er a nd s oc ia l m ai ns tre am ed in to p la nn in g an d pr ac tic es Po lic ie s an d pr ac tic es th at im pa ct d iff er en t ge nd er s an d so ci al u nf ai rly a re re du ce d A cu ltu ra l g en de r l en s is in co rp or at ed in to n at io na l an d st at e pl an s 10 .2 .4 Su st ai na bl e Cu ltu ra l I nd us tri es p er pe tu at ed a nd ex pa nd ed Ar ts a nd C re at iv e In du st rie s th at re ly o n lo ca lly so ur ce d m at er ia ls th riv in g an d gr ow in g In cr ea si ng a va ila bi lit y of s us ta in ab ly s ou rc ed a nd m ea ni ng fu l r ep re se nt at iv e lo ca l p ro du ct s 10 .2 .5 Cu ltu ra l t ou ris m Gr ow in g Cu ltu ra l T ou ris m in du st ry b en efi ts lo ca l co m m un iti es (fi na nc ia lly , s oc ia lly , c ul tu ra lly ) In cr ea si ng n um be r o f s us ta in ab ly u se d to ur is m si te s an d to ur is m p ro du ct s th at fe at ur e cu ltu ra l ar tif ac ts o r p ra ct ic es 10 .3 .1 In ta ng ib le h er ita ge p ro te ct ed a nd p er pe tu at ed Co m m un ity o rg an is at io ns w ith a h is to ric re sp on si bi lit y fo r s us ta in ab le re so ur ce u se a re su pp or te d an d st re ng th en ed In cr ea si ng n um be r o f a ct iv e Ch el de be ch el (m en s, w om en s, y ou th , e ld er ly g ro up s) 10 .3 .2 Co m m un ity a w ar en es s an d tra in in g Co ns er va tio n ca pa ci ty o f r es id en ts a nd co m m un iti es in P al au s tre ng th en ed Pu bl ic a w ar en es s of , a nd a ct iv e pa rti ci pa tio n in th e en vi ro nm en ta l d ec is io n- m ak in g pr oc es s 62 ht tp s: // oc ea ns er vi ce .n oa a. go v/ ne w s/ ju l1 4/ p al au .h tm l 90 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 10 .3 .3 En vi ro nm en ta l e du ca tio n co nn ec ts y ou th a nd co m m un iti es to th ei r c ul tu ra l i de nt ity a nd b ui ld s on th e co nc ep t o f O m en gu ll (R es pe ct ) En vi ro nm en ta l e du ca tio n in te gr at ed in to c ur ric ul um at a ll le ve ls th ro ug h th e M in is try o f E du ca tio n, w hi ch v al ue s an d ba la nc es m od er n sc ie nc e w ith tra di tio na l k no w le dg e Sc ho ol c ur ric ul um re vi se d to in co rp or at e cl im at e ch an ge , e nv iro nm en t, w as te m in im is at io n an d di sa st er m an ag em en t m od ul es , w ith re sp ec t f or tra di tio na l k no w le dg e an d va lu es 10 .3 .4 St an da rd is e an d tra ns la te m od er n sc ie nt ifi c an d en vi ro nm en ta l t er m in ol og y Im pr ov ed u nd er st an di ng o f m od er n en vi ro nm en ta l co nc ep ts s uc h as c lim at e ch an ge Pr io rit y te rm s tra ns la te d 10 .4 .1 Pr of es si on al a w ar en es s an d tra in in g Pu bl ic a nd g ov er nm en t e m pl oy ee s en ga ge d in en vi ro nm en ta l m an ag em en t Pr of es si on al s in co rp or at e en vi ro nm en t p ro te ct io n pr in ci pl es in w or k ac tiv iti es 10 .4 .2 PA N tra in in g pr og ra m m es Tr ai ne d O ffi ce rs m an ag e PA N si te s an d ot he r pr ot ec te d ar ea s (in cl ud in g cu ltu ra l s ite s) PA N Co or di na to r a nd R an ge r p ro fe ss io na l c ap ac ity in cr ea se d to a llo w lo ng -t er m P A m an ag em en t go al s to b e m et 10 .4 .3 Cu ltu ra l S ta tis tic s M on ito rin g an d Ev al ua tio n an d Fe ed ba ck s ys te m s ar e re sp on si ve to c ul tu ra l c on te xt a nd n ee ds A se t o f C ul tu ra l S ta tis tic s is d ev el op ed a nd m ai ns tre am ed in to e nv iro nm en ta l p la ns 10 .4 .4 Ca pa ci ty to te st fo r c he m ic al s Tr ai ne d te ch ni ci an s op er at e ce rti fie d lo ca l la bo ra to rie s W at er q ua lit y an d ch em ic al a na ly si s tra in in g an d ce rti fic at io n co ur se in st itu tio na lis ed a t P CC 11 .1 .1 In cr ea se o r a t l ea st m ai nt ai n th e na tio na l a nn ua l bu dg et a nd in cr ea se g ra nt fi na nc in g to s up po rt na tio na l e nv iro nm en ta l p rio rit ie s In cr ea se d ac hi ev em en t o f n at io na l e nv iro nm en ta l ob je ct iv es a nd o bl ig at io ns In cr ea si ng to ta l a nd d iv er si ty o f n at io na l b ud ge t % of M ic ro ne si a Su st ai na bl e Fi na nc e Pl an fu nd ed 11 .1 .2 In cr ea se th e av ai la bi lit y an d di ve rs ity o f g ra nt op po rtu ni tie s an d in cr ea se th e ca pa ci ty a nd e lig ib ili ty of g ov er nm en t a ge nc ie s an d no n- go ve rn m en t pa rtn er s to a cc es s gr an ts In cr ea si ng n um be r o f a ge nc ie s an d pa rtn er s ar e ab le to a pp ly fo r, re ce iv e, a nd m an ag e gr an ts , in cl ud in g cl im at e fin an ci ng In cr ea si ng n um be r o f g ra nt ee s In cr ea si ng n um be r o f g ra nt ty pe s In cr ea si ng a m ou nt o f g ra nt s 11 .1 .3 St at es a re a de qu at el y re so ur ce d to u nd er ta ke en vi ro nm en ta l m an ag em en t63 La nd a nd c at ch m en t m an ag em en t u nd er ta ke n w ith in a fu nd ed e nv iro nm en ta l m an ag em en t fra m ew or k Pe rc en ta ge o f s ta te m as te r p la ns th at a re fu nd ed 11 .2 .1 Im pr ov e de liv er y of M EA , N at io na l, an d St at e co m m itm en ts th ro ug h co or di na te d ac tio n M EA c om m itm en ts m ai ns tre am ed in to a ge nc y an d se ct or p la ns a nd im pl em en te d th ro ug h st ro ng co or di na tio n th ro ug h th e NE PC (N at io na l) an d Re gi on al P la nn in g Bo dy (S ta te ) Re gu la r m ee tin gs o f t he N EP C an d Re gi on al Pl an ni ng B od y, w ith tr an sp ar en cy in d ec is io n m ak in g 11 .2 .2 Al ig n M EA , S DG , G EF , G CF , R eg io na l, an d Na tio na l in di ca to rs a nd s tre am lin e re po rti ng p ro ce ss es a nd da ta m an ag em en t a s pa rt of a N at io na l M on ito rin g & Ev al ua tio n sy st em Co re in di ca to rs h ou se d at s pe ci fic a ge nc ie s an d up da te d re gu la rly In cr ea si ng n um be r o f M EA ta rg et s re ac he d 11 .3 .1 Re vi ew a nd u pd at e Re pu bl ic o f P al au E nv iro nm en ta l la w s an d re gu la tio ns : • Bi os ec ur ity R eg ul at io ns • M ar in e Pr ot ec te d Ac t R eg ul at io ns • En da ng er ed S pe ci es R eg ul at io ns M ar in e M am m al A ct R eg ul at io ns Im pr ov ed re gu la to ry e nv iro nm en t a nd e na bl in g co nd iti on s Nu m be r o f l aw s an d re gu la tio ns a do pt ed b y 20 25 63 To w ns en d (2 00 7) . E nv iro nm en ta l R ev ie w a nd S to ck -t ak e R ep or t. A D B . 8 6p p . ( p ag e 46 ) 91Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 11 .3 .2 De ve lo p or a m en d an d pa ss a nd im pl em en t R ep ub lic of P al au E nv iro nm en ta l l aw s an d re gu la tio ns : • Na tio na l P la nn in g Ac t Bu ild in g Co de s (in li ne w ith N at io na l P la nn in g Ac t) Im pr ov ed re gu la to ry e nv iro nm en t a nd e na bl in g co nd iti on s Nu m be r o f l aw s an d re gu la tio ns a do pt ed b y 20 25 11 .4 .1 Re vi ew a nd u pd at e Re pu bl ic o f P al au E nv iro nm en ta l Po lic ie s an d St ra te gi es : • En er gy P ol ic y • Su st ai na bl e La nd M an ag em en t P ol ic y • Re si lie nt A gr ic ul tu re a nd A qu ac ul tu re P ol ic y (e .g . Fo od P ol ic y) (i n lin e w ith N DC P ol ic y) • PA N Ac t ( es pe ci al ly s ec tio n on e nf or ce m en t) PA M E (P A M an ag em en t E ffe ct iv en es s) a ss es sm en t to ol ) f or P AN In fo rm ed p ol ic ie s an d st ra te gi es g ui de b es t pr ac tic e na tio na l e nv iro nm en ta l p ro te ct io n an d m an ag em en t Al l r el ev an t p ol ic ie s, A ct s an d st ra te gi es re vi ew ed an d am en de d as n ec es sa ry b y 20 25 11 .4 .2 En co ur ag e up da te s an d m ai ns tre am e nv iro nm en ta l ob je ct iv es in to o th er a nd R ep ub lic o f P al au P ol ic ie s an d St ra te gi es : • Cu ltu ra l P ol ic y • Ge nd er M ai ns tre am in g Po lic y • To ur is m P ol ic y • ND C Po lic y (in li ne w ith F oo d Po lic y) Pr oj ec t M an ag em en t M an ua l ( O ffi ce o f P ro je ct M an ag em en t ( O PM )) Na tio na l p ol ic ie s ar e al ig ne d ac ro ss p ol ic ie s Nu m be r o f e nv iro nm en ta l s ec tio ns in cl ud ed in ot he r n at io na l p ol ic ie s 11 .5 .1 Pr ov id e ex te ns io n se rv ic es to S ta te G ov er nm en ts to im pr ov e th ei r c ap ac ity to im pl em en t e nv iro nm en ta l pr oj ec ts a nd p ro gr am s, in cl ud in g: • Pe rs on ne l P ol ic y (to k ee p ca pa ci ty a fte r e le ct io n tu rn ov er ; i nc lu di ng fo r P AN o ffi ce a nd L an d Pl an ne r) • M as te r P la nn in g an d Zo ni ng , a nd im pl em en ta tio n • Pu bl ic F in an ce m an ag em en t ( in cl ud in g PA N fin an ce ) • Gr an t w rit in g an d m an ag em en t Us e of d at a in d ec is io n m ak in g En vi ro nm en ta l c on di tio ns in th e fie ld c on se rv ed Nu m be r o f t ra in ed S ta te p er so nn el in s ki lle d po si tio ns in cr ea se s 11 .6 .1 Im pr ov e aw ar en es s of a nd c om pl ia nc e w ith en vi ro nm en ta l l aw s Co m m un ity b uy -in fo r e nv iro nm en ta l l aw s De cr ea si ng n um be r o f i nf ra ct io ns 11 .6 .2 Im pr ov e en fo rc em en t o f e nv iro nm en ta l l aw s, es pe ci al ly P AN , E nd an ge re d sp ec ie s, P ro te ct ed sp ec ie s, E Q PB re gu la tio ns Co nfl ic ts in n at io na l a nd s ta te e nf or ce m en t ca pa ci tie s re so lv ed In cr ea si ng n um be r o f t ra in ed a nd c er tifi ed Ra ng er s ab le to e nf or ce a n in cr ea si ng n um be r o f en vi ro nm en ta l l aw s 92 Palau - National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS: 2022-2030) NE M S Ac tio n Ta rg et Pe rf or m an ce In di ca to r Th ou sa nd s Hu nd re ds o f th ou sa nd s Si ng le m ill io ns Te ns o f m ill io ns Hu nd re ds o f m ill io ns < $1 00 ,0 00 $1 00 ,0 00 - 99 9, 99 9 $1 ,0 00 ,0 00 - 9, 00 0, 00 0 $1 0, 00 0, 00 0- 99 ,0 00 ,0 00 > 10 0, 00 0, 00 0 11 .7 .1 Im pr ov e pu bl ic p ar tic ip at io n in S ta te a nd N at io na l en vi ro nm en ta l g ov er na nc e an d su st ai na bl e de ve lo pm en t t hr ou gh p ub lic h ea rin gs a nd vo lu nt ee ris m Pr oc es se s fo r p ub lic p ar tic ip at io n de fin ed a nd im pl em en te d co ns is te nt ly St at e pe rm itt in g pr oc es se s ha ve a p ub lic h ea rin g re qu ire m en t t ha t i s im pl em en te d In cr ea si ng p ar tic ip at io n in p ub lic h ea rin gs In cr ea si ng d iv er si ty o f p ar tic ip an ts o n Co m m is si on s, B oa rd s, a nd o th er a dv is or y gr ou ps 11 .8 .1 M ai ns tre am g en de r a nd s oc ia l i nc lu si on in to en vi ro nm en ta l d ec is io ns a nd a ct iv iti es W om en a nd m en p ar tic ip at e eq ua lly in en vi ro nm en ta l a nd ri sk m an ag em en t d ec is io n m ak in g Ge nd er a nd s oc ia l i nc lu si on p er sp ec tiv es a re in te gr at ed in to a ll na tio na l e nv iro nm en ta l p ol ic y, le gi sl at io n, a nd p ro gr am s 11 .8 .2 De fin e vu ln er ab le g ro up s an d m ai ns tre am v ul ne ra bl e gr ou ps in to e nv iro nm en ta l d ec is io n m ak in g, b as ed on c ol le ct io n of g en de re d, s oc ia l, an d cu ltu ra l st at is tic s Im pr ov ed s er vi ce d el iv er y Nu m be r a nd d em og ra ph ic s of v ul ne ra bl e gr ou ps de fin ed b y 20 24 11 .9 .1 M od er ni se e nv iro nm en ta l c om m un ic at io ns a nd im pr ov e kn ow le dg e m an ag em en t ( ac ce ss to la w s, po lic ie s, p la ns , b es t p ra ct ic es , l es so ns , e tc .) 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