Putting People First: Area Based Approaches to Disaster Response in The Pacific, Fiji discussion paper

Fiji has played a leading role globally in highlighting the significant impacts of climate change on the world and, in particular, on the Pacific island region. In a recent workshop on Climate Induced Security in November 2020, Fijis Roving Ambassador noted that: “The fight against climate change cannot be won by government’s alone — we need to work with business and industries, cities and states, civil society representatives, academic institutions, and other actors”. This multi-stakeholder, ‘whole of nation’ approach to combatting climate change becomes of existential importance following the most recent findings of the International Panel of Climate Change report that carbon dioxide emissions are still climbing and in the Pacific region extreme climatic events are likely to get more severe unless drastic action is taken globally.Across the region, Pacific Island leaders have made strong calls to action including the Pacific Island Forum Boe Declaration on Regional Security1 (2018) and the Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Action Now2 (2019). In Fiji, the National Adaptation Plan Framework provides a strong foundation for action. It acknowledges the importance of implementing “location and context-specific” responses to climate pressures, and that success relies on community participation and ownership, and on leadership at the sub-national level.Recognising the value of location and context, this project explores how area-based approaches (ABAs) can contribute to national adaptation and responsiveness which is tailored to place and specifically addresses 10 key principles 3). The project draws on international experience to frame inquiry, reviews desktop academic literature and reports, and finally conducts exploratory interviews with stakeholders representing government, international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local and community NGOs operating in Fiji. For this initial study we focused on the greater urban environment of Suva.