Abstract
High levels of vulnerability to climate change impacts are rendering some places uninhabitable. In Fiji, four communities have already initiated or completed the task of moving their homes and livelihoods to less exposed locations, with numerous more communities earmarked for future relocation. This paper documents people’s lived experiences in two relocated communities in Fiji—Denimanu and Vunidogoloa villages—and assesses the outcomes of the relocations on those directly affected. This study in particular seeks to identify to what extent livelihoods have been either positively or negatively affected by relocation, and whether these relocations have successfully reduced exposure to climate-related hazards. This study shows that planned climate-induced relocations have the potential to improve the livelihoods of affected communities, yet if these relocations are not managed and undertaken carefully, they can lead to unintended negative impacts, including exposure to other hazards. We find that inclusive community involvement in the planning process, regular and intentional monitoring and evaluation, and improving livelihoods through targeted livelihood planning should be accounted for in future relocations to ensure outcomes are beneficial and sustainable.
Highlights
Despite high levels of internal resilience, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as which all Pacific Island Countries (PICs) identify (Barnett and Campbell 2010), have been labelled as some of the most vulnerable places to climate change
Climate change impacts experienced in PICs are predominantly coastal and include rising sea levels, intensification of cyclones resulting in increased storm surge extent, coastal erosion, and changing rainfall patterns (Chand et al 2016; IPCC 2014b; Keener et al 2012)
Key to reducing the vulnerability of communities to current and anticipated climate change impacts is: Ensuring the process of planned climate change-induced relocation is undertaken in a manner that both reduces the exposure of affected communities to climate change impacts, a key driving force of relocation (Hino et al 2017); and guaranteeing affected communities have a chance to successfully rebuild their livelihoods in the new location (De Sherbinin et al 2011)
Summary
Despite high levels of internal resilience, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as which all Pacific Island Countries (PICs) identify (Barnett and Campbell 2010), have been labelled as some of the most vulnerable places to climate change. Key to reducing the vulnerability of communities to current and anticipated climate change impacts is: Ensuring the process of planned climate change-induced relocation is undertaken in a manner that both reduces the exposure of affected communities to climate change impacts, a key driving force of relocation (Hino et al 2017); and guaranteeing affected communities have a chance to successfully rebuild their livelihoods in the new location (De Sherbinin et al 2011). With this context in mind, this research is driven by two key questions:. This will provide the context through which to generate insights and lessons that can be applied to future relocation initiatives going forward
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