A new project to pursue its ecosystem management and protection initiatives to promote climate adaptation in the Pacific Islands

As part of the Kiwa Initiative, the Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Kosi Latu, and the Director-General of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Rémy Rioux, also representing the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) have signed an agreement to fund the PEBACC+ project.

The signing ceremony took place in Noumea, in the presence of Sujiro Seam, European Union Ambassador for the Pacific; Dr Steven Barraclough, Australia’s Acting Consul-General; Felicity Roxburgh, New Zealand’s Consul-General; and donor representatives (European Union, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) via video conference. 

Scale-up climate change adaptation and resilience in the Pacific Islands

The Pacific Island States and Territories are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to their isolation, dependence on natural resources, and significant exposure to climatic and non-climatic threats. In response, they face many challenges: protecting biodiversity, especially in mangroves; preserving marine resources through sustainable fishing; preserving water resources by ensuring watershed health; developing sustainable tourism; and fighting against invasive species.

The Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC) project was implemented by SPREP and funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). From 2015 to 2020, it analysed climatic and non-climatic threats using an innovative approach that assessed ecosystem services and their resilience and worked with local communities to identify the most suitable and effective climate adaptation solutions. This methodology led to the production of comprehensive master plans for decision makers and managers. The first phase of the project took place in several pilot sites across Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. 

A new project with a regional scope  

Thanks to funding of 4 million euros (around 480 million XPF) from the Kiwa Initiative and 1.8 million euros (215 million XPF) from the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), this project will be continued, strengthened, and extended to new areas: New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna. This new regional project, called PEBACC+, will maintain and diversify existing activities, as well as incorporate ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) into public policies to ensure they are sustainable. 

As such, PEBACC+ meets the Kiwa Initiative’s goals to: 

*Promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the Pacific to foster climate resilience, food security, health, and socio-economic development.

*Strengthen regional cooperation among Pacific Island Countries and Territories around climate adaptation by creating coordinated responses and actions. 

*Foster the sharing of experiences and lessons learned from projects to boost the resilience of populations and promote the concept across the Pacific region.

This regional project focuses on four main areas: a watershed-based “Ridge to Reef” approach, creating locally managed protected areas, managing groundwater resources, and greening urban areas.

The project’s ultimate goal

Develop, support, and firmly establish ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change, the use of biodiversity, and NbS in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna.

“We must take urgent action to adapt to climate disruption at the global level, and particularly in Oceania. The Pacific is a treasure trove of unique land and marine ecosystems that need to be sustainably managed and protected. Thanks to support provided by the Kiwa Initiative and the FFEM, the PEBACC+ project will be able to pursue its ecosystem management and protection initiatives to promote climate adaptation in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands, while integrating New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna,” said Rémy Rioux, Director-General of AFD.

Examples of some expected PEBACC+ project activities (non-exhaustive and non-definitive list): 

*Training for decision makers on EbA and NbS approaches, green infrastructure, and environmental protection. 

*A reforestation and agroforestry programme in Taveuni, Fiji.

*Support for the Blue Town initiative (integrated coastal zone management plan) in Savusavu, Fiji. 

*Support for ecosystem and forest rehabilitation and a resource center in the Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park, Solomon Islands.

*Restoration of the Tagabe River in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

*Support for reforestation, agroforestry, and the creation of a locally managed marine area in Lenakel (Tanna, Vanuatu).

*Support for the development and implementation of EbA measures in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

This story was originally published at Kiwa Initiative and SPREP on 11 March 2022, reposted via PACNEWS.