Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu

Carmen Elrick-Barr; Roselyn Kumar; Tim F Smith; Dana C Thomsen; Ian White; Hans Karl Wendt; Patrick Nunn; Krishna Kumar Kotra; Isoa Korovulavula; Ben Macdonald; Arishma Ram

doi:10.1016/j.crm.2026.100845

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Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu

Journal article

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Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu

Carmen Elrick-Barr, Roselyn Kumar, Tim F Smith, Dana C Thomsen, Ian White, Hans Karl Wendt, Patrick Nunn, Krishna Kumar Kotra, Isoa Korovulavula, Ben Macdonald, …

Climate Risk Management, Vol.53, pp.1-11

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2026.100845

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Abstract

Climate change

Adaptation

Pacific

Managed retreat

Cultural traditions

Policy

Culturally-appropriate planned relocation policies are critical to enabling climate adaptation, particularly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans where rising sea levels and intensifying hazards threaten communities. Fiji and Vanuatu are frequently cited as international leaders in relocation policy, yet there has been limited critical analysis of the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of their policy frameworks. We analysed 27 institutional instruments guiding climate-induced relocation and displacement in Fiji and Vanuatu and assessed each instrument's contribution to community resilience across three dimensions: means, equity, and tradition. While both countries have developed a suite of policies that collectively support relocation, tradition – encompassing cultural heritage, attachment to place, and customary governance - is underrepresented. Successful relocation policy requires the integration of cultural and traditional dimensions alongside material and procedural considerations, particularly in Indigenous contexts where culture, identity and land are intertwined. Strengthening internal policy design capacity and fostering cross-sectoral integration will contribute to just, sustainable, and culturally-grounded relocation processes and outcomes. Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu offer valuable lessons for other nations developing culturally-inclusive relocation policy in response to climate risks.

Details

Title: Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu
Authors: Carmen Elrick-Barr (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Roselyn Kumar - University of the Sunshine Coast
Tim F Smith - University of the Sunshine Coast
Dana C Thomsen - Southern Cross University
Ian White - Australian National University
Hans Karl Wendt - University of the Sunshine Coast
Patrick Nunn - University of the Sunshine Coast
Krishna Kumar Kotra - University of the South Pacific - Emalus Campus
Isoa Korovulavula - University of the South Pacific
Ben Macdonald - CSIRO Agriculture and Food (Australia)
Arishma Ram - University of the South Pacific
Publication details: Climate Risk Management, Vol.53, pp.1-11
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2026.100845
ISSN: 2212-0963
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grants: Building community resilience to coastal hazards in Australia, DE240100611, Australian Research Council (Australia, Canberra) - ARC
Water security for locally relocated coastal communities in the western Pacific region, WAC/2022/128, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Australia, Canberra) - ACIAR
Organisation Unit: Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991239198702621
Output Type: Journal article

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