Journal article
Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu
Climate risk management, Vol.53, pp.1-11
09/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
Culturally-appropriate planned relocation policies are critical to enabling climate adaptation, particularly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans where rising sea levels and intensifying hazards threaten communities. Fiji and Vanuatu are frequently cited as international leaders in relocation policy, yet there has been limited critical analysis of the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of their policy frameworks. We analysed 27 institutional instruments guiding climate-induced relocation and displacement in Fiji and Vanuatu and assessed each instrument's contribution to community resilience across three dimensions: means, equity, and tradition. While both countries have developed a suite of policies that collectively support relocation, tradition – encompassing cultural heritage, attachment to place, and customary governance - is underrepresented. Successful relocation policy requires the integration of cultural and traditional dimensions alongside material and procedural considerations, particularly in Indigenous contexts where culture, identity and land are intertwined. Strengthening internal policy design capacity and fostering cross-sectoral integration will contribute to just, sustainable, and culturally-grounded relocation processes and outcomes. Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu offer valuable lessons for other nations developing culturally-inclusive relocation policy in response to climate risks.
•Tradition is underrepresented in relocation policy.•Equity is a strength within relocation policy.•No single policy enables fully resilient relocation outcomes.•External influence may limit the integration of local knowledge systems.
Details
- Title
- Tradition is inadequately incorporated within relocation policy: Insights from Fiji and Vanuatu
- Creators
- Carmen Elrick-Barr - University of the Sunshine CoastRoselyn Kumar - University of the Sunshine CoastTimothy Smith - University of the Sunshine CoastDana Thomsen - Southern Cross UniversityIan White - Australian National UniversityHans Karl Wendt - University of the Sunshine CoastPatrick Nunn - University of the Sunshine CoastKrishna Kumar Kotra - Vanuatu Cultural CentreIsoa Korovulavula - University of the South PacificBen Macdonald - CSIRO Agriculture and Food (Australia, Canberra)Arishma Ram - University of the South Pacific
- Publication Details
- Climate risk management, Vol.53, pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.; AMSTERDAM
- Grant note
- This research was supported by the Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Project Title: Water security for locally relocated coastal communities in the western Pacific region (WAC/2022/128).
- Identifiers
- 991013386630102368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education; Office of Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article