Journal article
An assessment of community-based adaptation initiatives in the Pacific Islands
Nature Climate Change, Vol.10(7), pp.628-639
2020
Abstract
For the Pacific Islands, community-based adaptation activities are crucial, and yet it remains uncertain whether they are effectively promoting long-term adaptive capacity. Here we evaluate the performance of 32 community-based adaptation initiatives across 20 rural communities in the Pacific. We find that initiative appropriateness was a strength while sustainability was a consistent issue, locally funded initiatives and those implemented by non-governmental organizations were more likely to perform better, and climate awareness-raising initiatives and those integrated with ecosystem-based adaptation performed best. We also identify four multidimensional and interdependent optimization points for future community-based adaptation initiatives: local approval and ownership, shared access to and benefit from initiatives, integration of local realities, and systems-thinking and forward planning. Our analysis suggests the need for a praxis shift whereby adaptation is locally led, communities drive their own agendas, and donors and implementers become facilitators that resource the diverse capacities of communities and help achieve local objectives equitably.
Details
- Title
- An assessment of community-based adaptation initiatives in the Pacific Islands
- Authors
- Karen E McNamara (Corresponding Author) - The University of QueenslandRachel Clissold (Author) - The University of QueenslandRoss Westoby (Author) - Griffith UniversityAnnah E Piggott-McKellar (Author) - The University of MelbourneRoselyn Kumar (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - LegacyTahlia Clarke (Author) - The University of QueenslandFrances Namoumou (Author) - Pacific Conference of ChurchesFrancis Areki (Author) - World Wildlife Fund PacificEugene Joseph (Author) - Conservation Society of PohnpeiOlivia Warrick (Author) - Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre (Vanuatu)Patrick D Nunn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
- Publication details
- Nature Climate Change, Vol.10(7), pp.628-639
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41558-020-0813-1
- ISSN
- 1758-6798; 1758-678X
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available due to them containing information that would compromise research participant confidentiality and anonymity.
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99465407602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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