As the Blue Pacific continues its fight against the mounting impacts of climate change, cost-effective and innovative solutions are needed. Our Pacific people have turned to ecosystem services and Nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
NbS are described as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and, while simultaneously benefitting people and nature. NbS are underpinned by benefits that flow from healthy ecosystems and essentially work with nature to address challenges like climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity loss and human health, which are critical to sustainable development.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is a subset of NbS, that harnesses biodiversity and ecosystem services to reduce vulnerability and build resilience of human communities to climate change. Secretariat of the Pacific Environment Programme (SPREP) Director - Islands and Ocean Ecosystems, Mr Stuart Chape spoke at the Adapting Coastal Cities and Territories to Sea Level Rise in the Pacific on using Ecosystem-based National Plans of Action. He said, “we are aware of the increasing climate change impacts on Pacific islands being generated at the global level, however, it is vital to remember that continuing non-climate local pressures on Pacific island environments also lower resilience of Pacific island societies and impact on sustainable development, including deforestation, inappropriate coastal development, and pollution”.
Across the Pacific region, nations are applying NbS solutions to address climate pressures. In 2020, Fiji developed its first NbS seawall as part of the Viro Village Hybrid (Bio-engineering) Coastal Protection Program in Viro, Ovalau. The bio-engineered seawall uses mangrove hedges, natural boulders, bunding and vetiver grass and backfilling.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Viro community, Government of Fiji and donor partners. Mr Vinay Singh, NbS Regional Coordinator for project partner International Union for Conservation of Nature said, “aside from its functional benefit of coastal protection, the seawall provides added value through ecosystem and biodiversity restoration and capacity building and knowledge strengthening of the community.”
Ecosystem and biodiversity restoration has also been proven effective in disaster recovery. In 2012, Tropical Cyclone Evan caused extensive damage in the Navitilevu Bay, which was then exacerbated by Tropical Winston in 2016. Navitilevu Bay has since been prioritised as a restoration site and has seen extensive rehabilitation efforts.
This has since encouraged local ownership in the area, enhancing ecological resilience and strengthening social cohesion. Communities have seen the improvement in livelihoods as the mangroves ecosystems are an important source for fishing, aquaculture, and non-timber forest products. Mangrove and forest restorations are mitigating actions as they allow for absorption of carbon.
In Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa, mangrove, seagrass and coral planting have been used for coastal rehabilitation and resilience projects. Which has also seen not only the environmental but social benefits too.
The use of NbS and EbA requires sharing knowledge and expertise, and learning from others in the Pacific. It requires a collaborative effort between communities, governments, private sector and civil society. Collectively, we must ensure sustainable use of our resources and a healthy environment for generations to come.
The average proportion of population of Pacific island countries and territories up to 14 years of age is 35.3%, globally this is 25.5%. This means an enormous part of the Pacific population have no say in the decisions made about their future, in terms of development, loss of ecosystems and choices about climate change. We must ensure we are making the right choices for these youth and the future of the Pacific.
The Adapting Coastal Cities and Territories to Sea Level Risk in the Pacific workshop is held from 10 – 12 July 2023 in Nadi Fiji. The workshop is bringing together government representatives, practitioners, collaborating partners, researchers, and NGOs from across the Pacific Islands.
Coordinated by the Pacific Climate Change Centre and the Ocean & Climate Platform, it is supported by the Government of France through the Fonds Pacifique, the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand, the Ocean & Climate Platform, and the SPREP Technical Assistance through the Kiwa Initiative.
