Alii, ungil tutau (good morning) from Palau. Looking forward to learning from this group on safe and sustainable management of ELVs. Like many SIDS, Palau imports used cars from Japan. Once these cars reach the end of their lives, they are stockpiled in the dumpsites especially the outer islands. My goal in joining this group is to learn from your vast experiences on how to safely manage ELVs and the best way to address and remove these hazards. The picture is of only one site, there are many more that need to be addressed. Your guidance is very much appreciated. Ko mesulang.

Dear ELV Group Members,

As part of the ISLANDS Coordination, Communication and Knowledge Management (CCKM) Project, I am gathering information on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) management & recycling initiatives in SIDS. We are looking to identify case studies to support the development of a best practice guidance. We could learn from any initiatives that are either recently launched or already under progress with success or with challenges.

If you have knowledge of such initiatives, I would appreciate learning about any local resources and contacts on small islands.

I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks in advance for your input!

Every year, hundreds of second-hand vehicles are imported into SIDS countries.

What happens when these vehicles stop working, reaching the end of their lives? They become bulky waste containing POPs and difficult to be disposed of.

Indeed, when end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are not properly managed, they can cause serious environmental problems and the loss of tonnes of recyclable materials.

Happy to see that PacWastePlus will be implementing a regional project to improve ELVs management in Pacific islands.

The project will look to produce guidelines that provide information for government, and recycling companies on the proper removal, storage, and handling of potentially hazardous materials from discarded vehicles.

Looking forward to see how the project develops!

As we know, the transition to renewables will not come without an environmental cost. Batteries, EV, solar panels and many other products require rare metals - many of which are to be fund in the Ocean.

Companies keen to scrape the ocean floor 5,000 to 6,000 metres below sea level stand to earn billions harvesting manganese, cobalt, copper and nickel. Currently, about 20 research institutes or companies hold exploration contracts in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

However, mining - wherever it happens - often comes with very high social and environmental impacts. Some Pacific countries have expressed their concern at the UN Ocean Conference. Palau and Fiji - backed by Samoa, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands - have initiated an uphill battle against the deep-sea mining of unattached, fist-sized rocks rich in rare earth metals.

To many's surprise, French president Macron seemed in favour of a total ban on deep-sea mining.