Adapting to climate change,
through Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) contribute to climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation for the well-being of communities. In the Pacific, a region particularly impacted by climate change, nature and traditional knowledge influence the way people live.

Attention to the role of NbS in addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity loss is growing worldwide. According to IPCC experts, NbS are still undercapitalized and their funding is limited, despite being described as "cost-effective" measures. The latest report, dated April 4, 2022, highlights their strong utility as a lever for climate change mitigation and as a tool for population adaptation.

The Kiwa Initiative provides access to financing and technical assistance for the implementation of projects based on NbS, at the local or regional level. In this way, it contributes to building the resilience of communities, ecosystems and economies of Pacific Island states and territories to climate change.

Nature-based
Solutions

in Action

Voices and stories of the Pacific
through the Kiwa Initiative

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Maylane & Jessie Santiago’s fish farm, a family adventure and pioneering journey in Micronesia

Ening Rebluud & Ngatpang’s Taro Patches, tending the breath of her community

Lionel Maeliu - the vivacious heart of agroecology and sustainable farming

From the street to the Taro fields of Papetoai with Naumi Tapi, a story of reintegration

Jacqueline Evans and the regional framework of ocean leadership

Guardians of the Great Central Forest: Raphael Kuwe and Charles Sileh’s battle for Manus Island

Ilisoni Kumete - the quiet force behind Lovoni’s fight against waterborne diseases

Estelle Wamo, the living interface between institutions and communities, keeping Ouvea above Water

Amena Banuve: the strategic mind behind Fiji’s food autonomy and climate adaptation

Embrace Diversity - Mereoni Chung’s Pacific vision for social justice

Amenatave Yauvoli’s patronage for Pacific climate sovereignty

Su’a Ulusapeti Tiitii: The woman growing Samoa’s Blue Economy

Ranadi Cavu & Sigatoka’s Dunes, maintaining a living seawall

Nenenteiti Teariki-Ruatau, between leadership, data and survival

Olivier Houdan, from archival sources to the mouth of the Nera river

Frances Brown-Reupena leads with community first

Philip Kaupa & Simbu’s forests, the making of a new mindset

Emmy Tevi Siro weaves Nature and hope for the Tagabe River

William Kostka: charting Micronesia’s path through sub-regional diplomacy

What do we mean by NbS?

NbS are defined by IUCN as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively”

Credit @ UICN

NbS means making nature an ally to adapt to climate change impacts. In concrete terms, it means relying on capital that nature offers us, such as forests, mangroves, salt marshes, sea grass beds (etc.).

More than tools, NbS are answers!

The implementation of NbS brings many co-benefits, some of which are particularly key in the context of the Kiwa Initiative, such as closing the gender gap and the inclusion of vulnerable people.

NbS can be classified into several categories:

Ecosystem restoration (e.g. ecological restoration, ecological engineering and forest landscape restoration)
Infrastructure approaches (e.g. green infrastructure approaches)
Ecosystem-based management approaches (e.g., integrated coastal zone management and integrated water resources management)
Ecosystem protection (e.g., area-based conservation approaches, including protected area management)

Some examples of projects using NbS for climate change adaptation:

Restoring and sustainably managing wetlands and rivers to maintain or boost fish stocks and fisheries-based livelihoods, reduce the risk of flooding, and provide recreational and tourism benefits
Conserving forests to support food and energy security, local incomes, climate change adaption and mitigation, and biodiversity
Restoring drylands to strengthen water security, local livelihoods and resilience to climate change impacts
Developing and implementing green infrastructures - Using natural coastal infrastructure such as barrier islands, mangrove forests and coral reefs to protect shorelines and communities from coastal flooding and reduce the impacts of sea-level rise
Community-based fisheries/resource management