Environmental and social issues cannot be separated – a thriving planet cannot be one that contains widespread human suffering or restricts human potential, and humanity cannot exist on a dying planet (Smallhorn-West et al., 2023).
Nature-based solutions (NbS) address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting people and nature at the same time. Fisheries can serve as a vital naturebased solution, playing a significant role in maintaining ecological balance and providing sustainable livelihoods for many Pacific Islanders. Through responsible management practices, fisheries can contribute to the preservation of aquatic biodiversity while ensuring the well-being of coastal communities. Sustainable fishing methods, such as selective harvesting and habitat protection, promote the resilience of marine ecosystems, mitigating the impacts of overfishing and habitat degradation. Embracing fisheries as a naturebased solution means recognising their inherent link to the health of marine environments, fisheries management, and fostering a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. Three tools have been developed to support advocates, policymakers and practitioners better consider and integrate gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) and broader human rights and human rights-based approaches (HRBA) into NbS for climate adaptation. These resources are the result of a collaboration between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Talanoa Consulting under the Kiwa Initiative.
Human rights for nature-based solutions in Pacific Islands: The purpose of this booklet is to provide an introduction to what human rights are and why they are relevant and should be considered when designing and implementing NbS for climate change adaptation in the Pacific Islands. Each of the 12 human rights identified are described in detail, with Pacific Islands examples (where available) to illustrate their relevance to NbS practitioners (Fig. 1). This is not to say other rights are not important, rather than these 12 human rights have been highlighted as good entry or starting points for learning and considering how human rights intersect with NbS. Understanding the relationship between human rights and NbS is an important first step to integrating human rights in NbS. A three-module training kit has also been developed which includes a trainer’s guide and slides. Posters as visual aids to support advocacy and education efforts are also available.
Gender equity, disability and social inclusion analysis for nature-based solutions in the Pacific Islands: This guide provides information and guidance on how to conduct a GEDSI analysis and to use the findings to ensure NbS stakeholders promote fairness, address barriers related to gender and disability, and ensure social inclusion in NbS initiatives. A GEDSI analysis provides information that can be used to design interventions to ensure NbS provide equitable benefits for every member of the community.
Assessing human rights risks to inform nature-based solutions in Pacific Islands: This assessment tool has been designed for organisations and practitioners working on NbS in the Pacific Islands, who wish to ensure their projects do not cause harm to people. A human rights risk assessment helps to identify and address risks to individuals and groups of stakeholders, including communities, from planned NbS. With the right social safeguards in place, NbS can positively reinforce human rights, and are likely to be more fair and effective. The risk assessment should not be seen as an additional burden on already busy practitioners. Rather the process of identifying risks is an important opportunity for stakeholder engagement, enhancing the quality of NbS design and implementation, while enhancing accountability for impacts on human rights.
The Kiwa Initiative – Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience aims at strengthening the climate change resilience of Pacific Islands ecosystems, communities and economies through nature-based solutions (NbS), by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring biodiversity. It is based on an easier access to funding for climate change adaptation and NbS for local, national authorities, civil society and regional organisations of Pacific Island Countries and Territories including the three French overseas territories. The Initiative is funded by the European Union (EU), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The Kiwa Initiative has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Oceania Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN-ORO). More information on www.kiwainitiative.org
All tools and resources can be freely downloaded from the Kiwa Secretariat website: https://kiwainitiative.org/en/news/ download-now-our-freely-available-resources-on-gedsi-and-humanrights
References
Smallhorn-West, P., Allison, E., Gurney, G., Karnad, D., Kretser, H., Lobo, A.S., Mangubhai, S., Newing, H., Pennell, K., Raj, S., Tilley, A., Williams, H. and Peckham, S.H., 2023. Why human rights matter for marine conservation. Front. Mar. Sci. 10:1089154. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1089154
Contacts
Mathilde Kraft | [email protected]
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