Climate Change-Induced Community Relocation in Fiji: Challenges and Ways Forward

The Pacific region is a climate change hotspot. The effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, ocean warming, increase of extreme weather events (droughts and floods) challenge the lives and livelihoods of the people of the ocean states of the region. Food and water security are at risk, natural resources become degraded and scarce. Against the backdrop of the climate emergency, climate change induced human mobility—in the form of migration, relocation, and displacement—is becoming a more and more pressing issue in the Pacific (and elsewhere). In this context, Pacific Island Countries’ (PICs) climate change policies conceptualise planned relocation as an adaptation measure or as an option of last resort if other adaptation attempts fail or are no longer available. In several PICs, planned relocation of entire climate change-affected communities, or parts of communities, has been already carried out or is on the policy agenda. This report addresses the challenges of planned relocation, looking at cases in Fiji, and it presents a specific promising community engagement approach that is pursued by the peacebuilding NGO Transcend Oceania in its work with Fijian communities. Transcend Oceania’s approach encourages a shift away from the conventional ‘victimhood’ discourse; affected communities see themselves as active agents rather than entirely dependent on external assistance. We are confident that this approach offers some insights that can provide guidance for other relocation endeavours in the Pacific and more generally. The report is in four parts. Firstly, we give a very brief overview of human mobility as a response to the environmental effects of climate change. Secondly, this is followed by a discussion of major issues of community relocation, with a focus on Fiji, and drawing upon TO’s engagement in communities facing dislocation and relocation. Thirdly, Transcend Oceania’s JustPeace Community Engagement Approach is presented as a way to address these issues. Finally, the report ends with some conclusions and recommendations.