In Ouvéa, New Caledonia, PEBACC+ harnesses nature to protect coastlines

As part of the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project, communities in Ouvéa, New Caledonia, are mobilizing to strengthen the resilience of their coastline against the impacts of climate change.

Based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS), These actions use simple, environmentally respectful techniques to restore coastal ecosystems.

The key measures implemented include:

• installing coconut fascines to reduce wave energy, especially during cyclones, and naturally produce humus to nourish protective coastal vegetation
• marking revegetation areas with bourao cuttings, while preserving existing land uses (recreation areas, parking, grassy spaces);
• planting young native species to stabilize the soil with their roots and dissipate wave energy through their branches and foliage;
• conducting additional planting campaigns to further strengthen the restoration efforts. 

The project also highlights and values traditional ecological knowledge, shared through the involvement of local associations and Ouvéa Anim. These Nature-based Solutions have already been successfully trialed in Nouméa, in collaboration with Caledoclean, following the SPREP good practices guide.