GEF-8 Plastic RESPONSE Project
The NES is excited to present the Cook Islands national project under the GEFs Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution integrated program (IP) titled, “Reducing Single-use Plastics on Small Island Economies” or RESPONSE.
The NES developed the concept note for this project with support from the UNEP team, who is the selected implementing agency.
The objective is to reduce the amount of plastics entering the Cook Islands via the food and beverage sector and to support enabling environments for reuse options and other circular solutions, with the intention of reducing the burden on the Cook Islands waste management system, as well as reducing pollution and harmful impacts of plastic.
The estimated project cost is $6,200,000 USD and the project will be implemented across 5 years. NES and Infrastructure Cook Islands have been identified as the executing agencies for this project.
The concept note is available for view on the Cook Islands Environment Data Portal.
Expected results/outputs:
- Develop and strengthen upstream policies to limit plastic pollution
- Support roll-out of food and beverage plastic packaging imported into the Cook Islands
- Support private sector, NGOs and community solutions
- National data on plastics to improve decision making
- Knowledge exchange and lessons documented
| Status | Amount | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concept approved | $6,200,000 USD | 2024 - 2029 |
For more information on the RESPONSE project in the Cook Islands contact:
Siana Whatarau: siana.whatarau@cookislands.gov.ck
Hayley Weeks : hayley.weeks@cookislands.gov.ck
GEF-8 Plastics RESPONSE Workshop
The RESPONSE project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to reduce the amount of single use and problematic plastics from the food and beverage sector that enter the Cook Islands and contribute to our mounting waste problem.
