Roviana Climate Change Resilience Plan 2013 - 2017

VISION: The Roviana Lavata environment continues to sustain the livelihoods and culture of all its people and enhances our resilience to climate change as a result of our efforts in empowering each other, in valuing our traditional knowledge, and in owning and carefully managing and protecting our land and sea resources.

Context

The Roviana region covers an area of 700 km2 in the Western province of Solomon Islands. It is a remote area with 17,000 people spread across 20 villages (50-300 people each) and numerous smaller communities spread around the coasts of the lagoons. The majority of people live a subsistence lifestyle from the rich marine and terrestrial resources. Fifteen per cent of the population live in the small urban settlements of Munda and Noro. Land tenure systems across the area are customary, which has historically contributed to strong stewardship of marine and terrestrial resources. More recently this traditional stewardship of natural resources has been re-vitalised with the formation of the Roviana Conservation Foundation (RCF) which has established a network of 23 marine reserves across the Roviana area (including Rendova Island), managed under three lagoon zones – Kalikile, Buki and Kiko. The Roviana Conservation Foundation is responsible for the development and implementation of this climate change resilience plan. Whilst the region is referred to as Roviana, it is actually comprised of two lagoon systems: Roviana Lagoon and Vonavona Lagoon, together known locally as Roviana Lavata.

Roviana and Vonavona Lagoons comprise a diverse social-ecological system that has supported human populations for 15,000 years. Roviana people have a strong history of adapting in the face of dramatic social-ecological changes. The area has a highly dynamic history socially, environmentally and geologically with influences including: tribal warfare, religious diversity, World War II battleground, high rainfall, tectonic uplift and subsidence, and tsunamis. This dynamic social-ecological history has built an inherent resilience into the present day communities and ecosystems which will, to some extent, provide a buffer for Roviana and Vonavona against future climate change pressures.

Climate change is an emerging pressure adding to the range of stressors that have been building over recent decades. Key pressures include commercial logging and increased sale of natural resources to support a cash culture; declining interest of youth in gardening, fishing and traditional knowledge; increased numbers of pests and invasive species; heightened religious tensions; the repercussions of tectonic upheaval and tsunamis, and; and the arrival of new technologies such as mobile phones, which have both good and bad consequences.

The Australian Government sponsored a project under the International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative’s (ICCAI) Pacific Adaptation Strategy Assistance Program (PASAP) called Building social and ecological resilience to climate change in Roviana, Solomon Islands (2010- 2012). This project aimed to understand the key vulnerabilities and risks faced by the people of Roviana Lavata, enhance the capacity of the community to assess these risks and develop adaptation strategies and plans, and to include adaptation in decision-making. The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of Queensland (UQ) were contracted to lead the project in collaboration with the RCF, Solomon Islands Government and other local partners.

A project workshop was held in Munda in April 2012 bringing together members of the extended Roviana community to consider the results of the PASAP project studies (see Appendix D), and to work towards development of this Plan. Participants in the workshop are listed in Appendix A.

Aims of this plan

The aim of this Plan is to identify the implications of climate change for Roviana Lavata and prioritise responses that will be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. This would maximise opportunities for sustainable development and livelihood improvement in addition to increasing resilience to the challenges of climate change Analysis of climate change vulnerability How is the climate changing? A range of changes are projected to occur as a result of human-induced climate change. Most changes in climate happen slowly so are hard to detect, such as rises in average temperature of the air and the sea, changes to ocean chemistry and increases in sea-level. Scientists working under a complementary program to PASAP, the Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP), have recently assessed likely impacts for the Solomon Islands and project that air temperature will increase 0.5 - 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, sea surface temperature will increase by 1 degree Celsius by 2050, and the threshold for healthy coral will be passed by 2045 as a result of ocean acidification. Since 1996, scientists have observed that sea level has increased an average of 8 mm per year in the Solomon Islands, and assess that sea level may increase by between 20 and 70 centimetres by 2100. Total rainfall for the Solomon Islands is predicted to show a small overall increase, but for rainfall to be delivered in more intense events, with bigger floods likely. Fewer cyclones are projected to occur, but those that do occur may be stronger. The amount of variability experienced around the average measures is also projected to increase, adding further uncertainty to the scale of extreme events. Other changes, such as changes to winds, water currents and seasonality are not yet well understood. Further scientific studies are underway to better understand these impacts.

Changes in weather observed over recent years by community members, and recorded as part of the PASAP project, include unpredictable seasons, hotter temperatures, and more wind and rain.

Results from the UQ work focussing on understanding the scientific context are available in the PASAP report titled: Building social and ecological resilience to climate change in Roviana, Solomon Islands: Component 2 Final Report.

Key vulnerabilities and options

Studies undertaken in the Roviana area as part of the PASAP project reveal that key vulnerabilities include:

 Some communities in are highly vulnerable to sea level rise with over 50% of village land inundated under 50 cm sea level rise scenarios (expected within 40-90 years)

 Key ecosystems are showing signs of degradation, which reduces resilience:

Marine  Lack of adequate management of passages and offshore reefs  Lack of connectivity between seagrass, mangrove and reef in some marine protected areas  High loads of sediments and nutrients from unsustainable logging in Roviana catchment

 Coral bleaching and disease increased by higher water temperatures

Coastal  Significant human disturbance of mangroves  Tectonic subsidence causing mangrove die-back  Sea level rise will increase pressure on mangroves  Lack of awareness of importance of mangroves for coastal protection

Gardens  Traditional knowledge surrounding gardens and bush foods not being passed on  Decreasing productivity of gardens  Increase in salt intrusion into coastal gardens  Increase in pests and diseases in food crops  Lack of skills and knowledge to improve soil fertility  Increasing reliance on processed foods  Fertile garden land being used for commercial agro-forestry.

 A range of social pressures that exacerbate impacts and further reduce resilience include erosion of traditional value systems, high levels of youth unemployment, erosion of customary governance, and insufficient inclusion of women in community decision making.

Whilst some of these factors are externally driven, many can be addressed at the local level through community based adaptation. This will be explored later in the Plan.

Risks to social and ecological resilience

Through an extensive stakeholder engagement process, the results from PASAP studies were combined with local knowledge to develop a list of impacts on social and ecological resilience. The PASAP study and community members identified many impacts, and fall into five groups – impact on marine resources (both lagoon and ocean); impact on gardens and forests; sea level rise and storm surges; extreme events and differential impacts on people, especially women.

The degree of risk posed by a climate change impact depends on the likelihood of exposure to the changes (or the likelihood the impact will occur), the severity of the impact (or sensitivity to that impact), and the ability to adapt to change without outside assistance – adaptive capacity. An exercise to consider risks and their impacts resulted in Table 1 below. Small groups worked on each of the impacts listed in the table. Participants assessed risks and estimated scores for each element from 1 (High risk) to 5 (Lowest risk), which were added together to give the overall risk score – lowest numbers had the highest risk. The overall risk score reflects the order of priority for addressing these issues. This process proved a useful way to integrate the scientific outcomes from PASAP studies with local community knowledge. For example, although sea level rise was identified by the UQ scientists as a major vulnerability and risk, given that many communities were very low-lying, the group that assessed it rated it as a less important risk than others because alternate land is available for communities to move to.

Table 1: Prioritisation matrix of climate change impacts and overall risk

CLIMATE CHANGE OUTCOME RISK AND IMPACTS LIKELIHOOD SEVERITY OF ADAPTIVE OVERALL IMPACT TYPE OF IMPACT CAPACITY RISK OCCURRENCE (SENSITIVITY) 1=low 3=high (EXPOSURE) 1=severe adaptive risk 1=high impact capacity likelihood Impacts on marine Reef fish and marine shells declining 1 1 1 3 resources – Water quality declining in the lagoon 1 1 1 3 increasing water Impacts on ocean fish temperature, 1 1 3 5 changing water Coral bleaching and disease 1 2 3 6 chemistry Mangrove loss 3 2 5 7 Impacts on gardens Displacement of coastal gardens – have to move to 2 2 2 6 and forests – forests (and exploiting of forests) increasing air Loss of key crops 1 1 2 4 temperature, more Too hot to work in garden 1 2 2 5 intense rainfall, Increase of pests and diseases and low productivity increasing weather 1 1 2 4 variability, salt Increased and more intense rainfall impact on 2 2 2 6 intrusion into gardens, including soil erosion, fertility loss and coastal groundwater failure of crops and soils Secondary impact on diet 2 2 2 6 Impact of sea level Change of coastlines and habitat through 1 2 1 4 rise and storm surge coastal erosion – coastal inundation, retreat of coastline, Higher tides than before eating up land, 1 2 3– plenty 6 salt into flooding houses, flooding coastal infrastructure, of land to groundwater and spreading rubbish, adding salt into fresh water move to soil Impact of extreme Flooding of rivers – erosion of land and sediment 1 1 1 3 events flow into lagoons – damage to marine life, water quality, soil quality Drought – decline of water quality and quantity, 2 1 1 4 crops damage, diseases outbreak King tides / extreme tides – coastal erosion, coastal 1 2 3 6 infrastructure damage, coastal ecosystem damage, debris – waste management issue, water quality damage Increase in heavy rainfall – flooding, garden impacts, 1 2 4 7 crop damage, disease outbreak Increased tropical cyclone – impacts on 4 1.5 2 7.5 infrastructure and houses, injury and death Impact on people’s The fear of climate change impacts are impacting on 2 2 1 5 way of life family harmony Women have to work harder to get enough food for 1 1 5 7 family Food security issues impacting on life styles, way of 1 1 2 4 life, eating, health Developments are compounding impacts – logging, 1 1 2 5 airport, commercial fisheries

Addressing the challenges and building resilience

Key community challenges that emerge from this analysis include: declining marine resources, reduced water quality, loss of important crops, coastal erosion, flooding, drought and reduced food security.

Following discussions at a climate adaptation planning meeting held in April 2012 six major ways to address these impacts were identified.

1. Strengthen Governance

Governance is often the limiting factor with efforts to manage climate and environmental risks, this plan will assist Roviana Conservation Foundation to strengthen their governance capacity.

2. Maintain Ecosystem Health Support the development of an integrated resource management plan that will protect forest, river, lagoon and oceanic ecosystems.

3. Enhance Food Security Support food security by protecting water catchments, soil fertility, water quality and improving resource harvest practices.

4. Protect Coastal Infrastructure By understanding and planning for sea level-rise take actions to protect important coastal infrastructure.

5. Build Capacity and Awareness Empower local communities and groups to manage resources sustainably.

6. Develop Partnerships Work with other community groups, governments, NGOs and institutions for information and technical skill sharing.

These form the six major pillars of this climate resilience plan. For each of these six pillars a series of activities have been planned that will help the Roviana community achieve the following shared vision:

The Roviana Lavata environment continues to sustain the livelihoods and culture of all its people and enhances our resilience to climate change as a result of our efforts in empowering each other, in valuing our traditional knowledge, and in owning and carefully managing and protecting our land and sea resources.

Table 2: List of activities within each of the six pillars of the climate change resilience

1. STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE Options Activities Lead Partners Year 1.1 Source support 1.1 .1 Develop fundraising strategy RCF UQ, UCSB 1 for core RCF operating 1.1.2 Develop proposal RCF UQ, UCSB 1 expenses 1.1.3 Submit proposal RCF UQ, UCSB 1

1.2 Re-establish RCF 1.2.1 Source funds to re-establish RCF office RCF 2 office

2. MAINTAIN ECOSYSTEM HEALTH Options Activities Lead Partners Year 2.1 Strengthen MPA 2.1.1 Re-design MPA Network to increase RCF UQ, UCSB 1 Network connectivity 2.1.2 Enforce MPA rules – through ranger RMC/RCF WP, MECDM & MFMR 1 program 2.1.3 Develop integrated terrestrial and RCF UQ 1 marine resource management plan (RMP) for three zones 2.1.4 Register resource management plans RCF MECDM 2 with national Protected Areas Act 2.2 Improve 2.2.1 Increase awareness of impacts and RCF Church, Women, Other 2 Mangrove, Coral, ways to reduce them local groups Water Quality , 2.2.2 Include Mangrove, coral, water quality RCF WP, MECDM & MFMR 1 and Species and species protection in RMP Protection 2.2.3 Replant and rehabilitate damaged RCF WFC, UQ Church, Women, 3 mangrove areas Other local groups 2.3 Waste 2.3.1 Undertake survey of problem RCF/MECDM RCF, Western Province, 2 Management Churches 2.3.2 Raise awareness RCF Church, Women, Other 2 local groups 2.3.3 Start a Waste Management Program Women’s MECDM, RCF, Church, 2 Associations Women, Business, Hospital, Other local groups 3. ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY Options Activities Lead Partners Year 3.1 Improve Garden 3.1.1 Establish demonstration center and KGA MAL, KGA, Local groups 2 Practices and village sites Techniques 3.1.2 Training and materials KGA KGA, Local groups 2 3.1.3 New cultivars and crops M AL MAL, SPC, KGA,NGASI 3 3.1.4 Foster use of traditional knowledge KGA RCF, Local groups 2 3.2 Improve marine 3.2.1 Construct FADs and improved deep sea RCF WFC, MFMR, NFD, 2 resource fishing techniques MECDM management and 3.2.2 Introduce and enforce resource RCF WP, MFMR 1 use management plans 3.2.3 Develop demonstration sites RCF/WFC WFC, MFMR, UQ 2 3.3 Protect water 3.3.1 Identify and map catchment areas, GPS RCF WP, Resource Owners 2 catchments to of supply intake protect soil, soil 3.3.2 Protect water supply catchment areas RCF MECDM,MF,WP, resource 1 fertility and lagoon with resource management plan owners water quality 3.3.3 Plan land use carefully eg avoid Resource MECDM,MF,WP, resource 2 clearing of steep land or land near owners owners

rivers. 4. PROTECT COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS HOUSES, GARDENS, ROADS AND JETTIES Options Activities Lead Partners Year 4.1 Protect coast from 4.1.1 Protect coastal vegetation especially Community Church, Women, Other 3 erosion mangroves leaders local groups 4.2 Understand and 4.2.1 Assess inundation risk of low-lying Community RCF, UQ 1 plan for risk from communities leaders sea-level rise 4.2.2 Each community plan their response to Community RCF, MECDM 2 risk of extreme waves and inundation leaders affecting. 4.3 Maintain fresh 4.3.1 Seek alternate freshwater sources for Community RCF 3 water access brackish wells; relocate affected leaders coastal gardens 5. BUILD CAPACITY AND AWARENESS Options Activities Lead Partners Year 5.1 Empower local 5.1.1 Strengthen traditional governance and RCF UCSB, UQ, WP 2 communities, share and use traditional knowledge institutions and 5.1.2 Empower women, men, youth, church RCF Churches, Women’s 2 groups to manage and school groups Association, WP, schools resources 5.1.3 Strengthen local sustainable economic MP/PM WP 3 sustainably activities 5.1.4 Increase financial literacy and access to MP/PM RCF, WA 3 microfinance 5.1.5 Institutional strengthening of RCF RCF DSE, SILMMA, 1 Communities, UCSB, Provincial & National Members 5.2 Increase local level 5.2.1 Develop public awareness programs RCF Various project partners 2 of awareness and materials 5.2.2 Develop focused activities and RCF Churches, schools 2 materials for target groups such as Women’s Association, youth, women, fishermen, gardeners, WP, MYWS schools, churches 6. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS Options Activities Lead Partners Year 6.1 Build local 6.1.1 Locally owned and led programs RCF Communities and local 1 partnerships groups, churches 6.2 Work with 6.2.1 Long-term support of initiatives to RCF WP, MECDM, MFMR, Min 1 Provincial and implement the Resilience Plan Agriculture National 6.2.2 Facilitate access to funding sources RCF WP, MECDM, MFMR, Min 1 Government Agriculture 6.3 Work with CBO, 6.3.1 Seek technical support (applications, RCF TDA, UCSB, UQ, WFC, 1 national/internatio research, project management and KGA, WWF, TNC, SILMMA, nal NGOs and implementation, monitoring and DSE, SICCP Institutions reviewing) RCF=Roviana Conservation Foundation, UQ=The University of Queensland, WP= Western Provincial Government, MFMR=Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, UCSB=The University of California Santa Barbara, TDA= Tetepare Descendants Association, KGA=Kastom Gaden Association, TNC=The Nature Conservancy, SICCP=Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership, SILMMA=Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Areas Network, WFC=WorldFish, MECDM=Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Disaster and Meteorology, DSE=Development Services Exchange, WA=Womens Association, MAL=Ministry of Agriculture, SPC=Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

A key impact identified by the community relates to food security. Communities are especially concerned about declining success of gardens and the increased effort required to collect both land and sea food resources.

This plan outlines a range of activities that will address the issue of food security at the regional level. Specific site-based measures and activities are outlined in the three sub-regional Resource Management Plans. To support the practical implementation of many of these activities, one of the key actions identified by the community at the PASAP workshop was to develop a central demonstration, resource and training centre in Munda that will focus on food security, particularly garden-based. In this centre, awareness could be raised of ways to improve the productivity of gardens, of new cultivars and techniques such as composting and companion planting, and of traditional knowledge and techniques that may be declining in use but remain important for enhancing resilience. The centre could also help address another important community concern by encouraging youth to develop an interest in new methods of gardening and fishing, as well as valuing and learning traditional knowledge that may increase resilience.

Many other actions identified by the community will rely on the commitment of the communities themselves to be implemented, as they relate to how communities manage their resources.

Plan implementation

This is a five-year Plan. Implementation of the Plan will need the commitment of the entire Roviana community. Key lagoon groups like the Roviana Conservation Foundation (RCF), can encourage and support this effort, but the responsibility for many actions remains that of the communities.

Strengthening the RCF’s ability to support communities in these efforts and to lead on delivering lagoon-wide initiatives such as the development of the resource centre and new bylaws and methods for managing lagoon resources will be an important step in the process. Support from the provincial and national government in supporting these initiatives will also be critical to the success of the Plan. Given the responsibility vested in RCF to oversee implementation it is critical that RCF be able to attract funding to cover operating expenses over the lifetime of the Plan. Therefore, a priority action is for RCF to develop and submit funding applications. Possible partners in these efforts, including existing long-term partners working in the lagoon, have been identified in the table above.

Monitoring and evaluation

Implementation of the Plan should be monitored by the RCF Executive on no less than a three- monthly basis. Implementation partners, such as representatives of the Solomon Islands Government or the Western Province Government, may be invited to attend meetings on a six- monthly basis to update the Executive on implementation of the Plan or progress with specific elements.

Table 2 outlines a series of activities that have been planned to achieve the objectives of each of the six pillars of resilience and hence realise the overall vision of the Plan. These activities have been prioritised for implementation in the first three years. At the end of Year 3, RCF will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the progress of implementation and assess progress

towards the vision and six pillars of resilience. Based on this evaluation, a new workplan for years 4 and 5 will be developed.

Appendix A Participants in the April 2012 climate change resilience planning workshop

# Names Sex Village/Organization 1 Liz Dovey F DCCEE 2 Shankar Asawani M UCSB 3 Simon Albert M UQ 4 Hudson Kauhiona M MECDM 5 Agnetha V. F MECDM Karamui 6 Francis Tekatoha M Western Province Environment Officer 7 Kirsten Abernethy F WFC 8 Reagon Warren M WFC 9 Albert Kwatalae M UQ/Marovo Lagoon 10 Rody Maebule M RCF Chairman 11 Nixon B. Tooler M RCF Coordinator 12 Denis Mamu M Climate Change Coordinator – Buki Network 13 Hugh Ike M Climate Change Coordinator – Kalikile Network 14 Michael Taro M Climate Change Coordinator – Kiko Network 15 Edwin Baki M RCF Office 16 Willing Zekele M Forestry, Munda 17 Kiada M Agriculture, Munda 18 Steven Koito M Kalikile Network 19 Albert Tupiti M Kalikile Network 20 Poly Dagi M Kalikile Network 21 Grace Teturega F Kalikile Network 22 Henry Ngumi M Buki Network 23 Ngana Bozi M Buki Network 24 Brian Beti M Buki Network 25 Jonathan Ekoani M Buki Network 26 Philip Talasasa M Buki Network 27 Rev. Alex Aqarao M Kiko Network 28 Silverio Makini M Kiko Network 29 Punai Paia M Kiko Network 30 Ruth F Kiko Network 31 Litolo Niva M Kiko Network 32 Renson Pratt M Kiko Network 33 Patson Runikera M Kiko Network 45 Anita F Kiko Network 46 Qula Mali F Kiko Network 34 Susan Ililo F Council of Elders 35 Senda Siosi M Council of Elders

36 Ben Raqo M Council of Elders 37 Esta Kale F Council of Elders 38 Miri Taqu F Council of Elders 39 John Pitu M Council of Elders 40 Rev. Maezama M United Church 41 Elaine Darcy F UCWF 42 Elu Zekele F UCWF/Apheda 43 Allan Tipet Bero M TDA 44 Seqema Maepeza F DSE (Networking) 47 June Alenia F WNGV Constituency Development Officer 48 Jean Wong F WPCW Roviana 49 May Rade F WPCW Vonavona 50 Janbol Ozala F Rural Development Program 51 Delphine F Rural Development Program Livingston 52 Selina Kosini F Rural Development Program 53 Ronald Mae M Rendova

Appendix B: Roviana key people and local stakeholders to participate in the training and discussion of the draft plan.

# Names Sex Network/Organization 1 M Forestry 2 M Agriculture 3 Steven Koito M Kalikile Network 4 Grace Teturega F Kalikile Network 5 Jean Wong F WPCW 6 May Rade F WPCW Local NGO/CBO 7 Seqema Maepeza F Networking 8 Rev. Willie Maezama M United Church 9 Senda Siosi M Council of Elders 10 Miri Taqu F Buki Network 11 Patson Runikera M Buki Network 12 Brian Beti M Buki Network 13 Henry Ngumi M Buki Network 14 Renson Pratt M Buki Network 15 Rev. Alex Aqarao M CFC 16 Tipet Bero M TDA 17 Florence Rove F YWCA 18 June Alenia F CDO 19 Joseph Riqeo M RDP 20 Save the Children 21 F UCWF 22 SDA 23 AOG

Appendix C: Members present during review and formal adoption of this plan by the Roviana Conservation Foundation Executive at Bulelavata village November 27-28 2012.

# Names Sex Village/Organization 1 Simon Albert M University of Queensland 2 Donny Gemu M Madou 3 Kettily Zongahite M Nusa Roviana 4 Rachel Tiqu F Bulelavata 5 Renson Pratt M Buni 6 Dalton Roni M Sasavele 7 Davidson Lito Koso M Barasipo 8 Elizabeth Hiele F Nusa banga 9 Anna Sama F Sasavele 10 Jean Wong F Bulelavata 11 Selina Buka F Baraulu 12 Caroline Takua F Ha’apai 13 Edwin Baki M Baraulu 14 Michael Taro M Madou 15 Grace Tetu F Bulelavata 16 W. Kolo M Nusa Banga 17 Brady Kari M Sasavele 18 Clay M M Nazareth 19 Vagara Murray M Olive 20 Hughes Ike Vagumata M Nusa Hope 21 Steven Koito M Ha’apai 22 Kaidi Ngumi M Kindu 23 Mgama Bozi M Egholo 24 Henry Hidi M Nusa Banga 25 J. Putu M Nusa Roviana 26 Elaine Bui F Bulelavata 27 Miri Taqu F Lodumaho 28 W. Bavo M Bulelavata 29 May Rade F Buni 30 Nixon Tooler M Baraulu 31 Roddy Maebule M Baraulu

Appendix D: Summary of results from PASAP studies in Roviana Lagoon