Climate change, natural hazards, and relocation: insights from Nabukadra and Navuniivi villages in Fiji

Abstract

Coastal communities in Fiji are considering planned relocation to safer locations due to the effects and risks of climate change and natural hazards. Decision-making prior to relocations is complex, with multiple drivers for and barriers to community relocation. Following Tropical Cyclone Winston (TCW) in 2016, the Government of Fiji accelerated vulnerability assessments in the effort to rebuild and recommended a number of villages relocate for safety and has now developed national guidelines to manage relocations. This paper uses two case studies in Fiji, Nabukadra and Navuniivi villages in Ra Province, which were both heavily impacted by TCW. Only Nabukadra village is considering retreating, due to its more vulnerable physical location. An eventual lack of investment has meant that Nabukadra continues to be located at the same site, with only incremental changes being made by residents themselves. Qualitative research conducted through interviews in these two villages on perceptions of climate change, vulnerability, natural hazards, and relocation informs an assessment of the barriers to and drivers for relocation.