The National Environment Service (NES) commenced consultations for the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Plastics with an internal consultation involving NES staff on Monday 10 August at the NES Conference Room.
Facilitated by Ms Rima Moeka’a, NAP Consultant, the consultation brought together NES staff members to share their knowledge, experience, and perspectives on plastics management and waste reduction.
Mii Herman Senior Environmental Partnerships Co-coordinator said, “Discussions focused on current NES programmes and initiatives, key challenges and gaps, and opportunities to strengthen national efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Staff also provided input into potential actions, targets, vision, opportunities, risk and urgency for the NAP.”
The NAP will provide a strategic framework for addressing plastic pollution across the full lifecycle of plastics from importation and use through to collection, recycling, and disposal.
The NES consultation forms part of a broader stakeholder engagement process to ensure the NAP is practical, achievable, inclusive, and aligned with the Cook Islands’ environmental priorities and Zero Waste vision.
This consultation marks an important first step in bringing together national knowledge and experience to strengthen the Cook Islands’ coordinated response to plastic pollution.
