The Cook Islands face growing risks from climate change, particularly through the intensification of tropical cyclones. Currently, the Cook Islands incur, on average, about USD 5 million per year (two per cent of GDP) in direct losses due to cyclone-related impacts, of which 90 per cent are to the building sector. Increasing cyclone intensity in the coming decades will further exacerbate these losses. This threat is critical, as nearly all buildings are privately owned and highly exposed to climate hazards.

The programme will provide direct climate finance through an Enhancing Direct Access (EDA) facility, with components ranging from technical support and building retrofitting to public awareness and capacity-building. It will be delivered under a unified framework to individuals, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups. The programmatic model allows for scalable, country-owned solutions integrating technical, financial and institutional elements to build long-term resilience.

The programme is expected to protect a substantial portion of the population and reduce long-term damage to infrastructure, enabling faster post-disaster recovery and economic continuity. Improved access to clean water and better functioning of community facilities will improve public health, and regional learning will be enhanced by positioning the Cook Islands as a model for climate-adaptive building practices in other Small Island Developing States.

Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands

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Gender action plan for FP281: Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

People whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression differs from the majority or societal norms

Codes and standards are regulatory instruments that specify minimum standards to protect health and safety. This ranges from performance standards, which prescribe outcomes while allowing flexibility to achieve compliance, to the more prescriptive approach of technology-specific standards.

Financial actors and resources that are primarily directed towards climate change mitigation, adaptation and compensation.

Dedicated pool of financial resources for climate-related projects.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Conditions that enhance the feasibility of adaptation options. Enabling conditions include finance, technological innovation, strengthening policy instruments, institutional capacity, multi-level governance and changes in human behaviour and lifestyles.

Actions or measures to adapt freshwater systems to climate change.

Actions to adapt human health, healthcare systems and well-being to climate change.

Actions to adapt and increase the resilience of rural and urban infrastructure and settlements to climate change.

Actions or measures to adapt freshwater, coastal and marine systems to climate change.

Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Extreme weather refers to events where a weather variable exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Meaning it is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern.

Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

People whose health, both mental and physical, makes them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change

woman and genders outside of the gender binary

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

This sector involves managing waste treatment, sanitation, pollution control and environmental cleanup.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

Activities involving the management, development, and sale of property assets.

Activities of businesses and institutions that provide financial services and products to individuals and organisations.

This sector involves the distribution, treatment, and conservation of water resources.

the fair distribution of risks and opportunities of climate change and the transition to a regenerative economy, cognisant in particular of disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities and the working class

Procedural justice means ensuring that decision making is safe, transparent and inclusive, emphasizing the agency and influence of vulnerable groups and those most impacted.

Gender action plan for FP281: Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands

Policy instrument

Risk

Impacted group

Just transition

Climate justice

Renewable energy

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience

Finance

Adaptation Fund

Climate Investment Funds

Green Climate Fund

Global Environment Facility