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12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013
University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji
Engaging the Pacific in Ecosystem based
Adaptation approaches
Paul Donohoe1 , Tim Carruthers2, Carlo Iacavino3, Easter
Galuvao4 and Stuart Chape5
1
SPREP, [email protected]
2
SPREP, [email protected]
3
SPREP, [email protected]
4
SPREP, [email protected]
5
SPREP, [email protected]
It is increasingly recognised that a relevant response to
predicted impacts of climate change is the application of
Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) approaches, not only
to preserve and restore biodiversity but to deliver
adaptation while supporting delivery of secondary
ecosystem services, essential for sustainably supporting
the livelihoods of Pacific island peoples. Therefore, there
is a strong social and ecological imperative to implement
adaptation planning actions focused on ecosystem
actions, by building sustainable capacity and knowledge
of these approaches throughout the Pacific islands
region. Demonstrating effectiveness of EbA actions
both in terms of ecosystem resilience and livelihood
benefits is challenging but essential for EbA to be
embraced in adaptation action in the region.
In the Pacific Islands, climate change is exacerbating
ongoing threats due to increasing and/or centralizing
human populations, invasive species, coastal
12th Pacific Science Inter-Congress, 8-12 July 2013
University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay Campus, Suva, Fiji
development, land clearing, erosion of soil, nutrient
inputs to coastal waters, and overharvesting of marine
resources. Implementing EbA in the Pacific requires
effective governance regimes and policy instruments, it
must also be econimically efficient. EbA must also move
beyond traditional biodiversity conservation actors of
the past and integrate with other sectors, including the
private sector, so that ecosystem resilience and
adaptation is considered in development aspirations of
the region. The Pacific Island population is dispersed in
many small communities and as most land is under
customary ownership, it is important that approaches to
EbA engage communities through an integration of
traditional ecological systems and scientific knowledge.
A range of EbA approaches are being implemented in
Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Fiji that
engage multiple stakeholders at the local, national and
regional levels. Cost benefit analyses, multi stakeholder
catchment level planning and coastal rehabilitation are
some of the ways EbA is currently being implemented in
the Pacific.
Key Words: Ecosystems, sustainability, adaptation