It begins! Today, 23 representatives from across the Pacific Islands arrived in Canberra, Australia, for the start of the 12-day PacWastePlus and GEF ISLANDS Sustainable Finance Tour.

So what are we doing here and how is it going to work?

As we all know, waste management is one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Not only is it an issue in and of itself, but it is deeply connected to global challenges such as health, climate change, poverty reduction, food and resource security, and sustainable consumption and production. Understanding how to deal with waste management is a complicated task, particularly for small island developing states (SIDS).

One of the biggest concerns is financing – how do we sustainably finance waste management services and what are the best mechanisms for doing this? Answering this question is exactly what we are here to explore.

The main objective of the study tour is to provide Pacific Island countries with a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of the Sustainable Financing Systems in operation in Australia, the different legislative instruments and arrangements that help to sustainably finance waste management and recycling.

The agenda is jam packed. Not only will we travel through Canberra, Albury and Sydney, over the next 12 days, participants will attend the Circular Economy Conference, participate in waste management site visits, engage with different legislators, and share ideas through intensive workshops and talanoas.

Each participant has unique skills and capacity to drive their country’s Sustainable Financing System, and this study tour will help to enable them to apply the findings and lessons learned when designing or expanding systems in their own countries. It’s an exciting opportunity to promote understanding, build awareness, and help create more sustainable waste management systems.

If it sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. The topics are complex, and often abstract, but we’ll be providing daily updates to both unpack the issues and to share ideas for what needs to happen to turn the tide on waste management in the Pacific.