Protecting Coastal Ecosystems in Fiji with Nature-Based Approaches
eCoast, in collaboration with ICEM and C2O Pacific, conducted diagnostic assessments in six Fijian coastal communities. The project emphasises nature-based solutions and community-driven strategies to enhance coastal resilience.
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Fiji’s Coastal Communities: Adapting Through Nature-Based Solutions
In 2025, eCoast partnered with the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (MoECC) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to assess climate and coastal vulnerabilities in six priority Fijian communities: Nawaqarua, Vanuakula, Nabuna, Narata, Komave, and Soliyaga. Utilizing drone mapping, ecosystem surveys, and participatory workshops, the team identified practical nature-based and hybrid solutions to protect coastlines, rivers, and communities. Key recommendations include mangrove restoration, improved drainage, pilot vegetation projects, and site-specific hybrid engineering measures to strengthen climate resilience.
Information
- Location: Six priority villages in Fiji – Nawaqarua, Vanuakula, Nabuna, Narata, Komave, and Soliyaga
- Client: Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (MoECC) and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
- Project Date: 2025
- Delivery team: Led by ICEM with eCoast and C2O Pacific (coastal/NbS specialists)
Scope of Work
- Field diagnostics: drone/elevation mapping, bathymetry, ecosystem and water/soil surveys, climate and hydrodynamic baselines, and participatory mapping with communities.
- Site vulnerability assessments and risk synthesis to inform nature-based solutions (NbS)
- Identification and conceptual design of NbS/hybrid measures with rapid feasibility and cost bands; screening of engineered options.
Project Description
This first report covers six coastal/riverine communities across Ba and Nadroga-Navosa provinces, and Beqa Island. The team combined field surveys and community workshops with hazard and climate analysis to produce qualitative vulnerability profiles and a practical menu of NbS and hybrid measures. Concept designs and order-of-magnitude costs span low-cost actions that can start immediately through to larger hybrid/engineered works requiring detailed topographic data and flood modelling for design.
Key Outcomes
- Prioritise low-cost NbS now: restore and protect riverbank/coastal vegetation; unblock/maintain drains and culverts; pilot community mangrove planting (with temporary breakwaters where needed); and use hybrid plant-based drainage/bio-retention to slow and treat runoff.
- Advance site-specific hybrid options: beach nourishment with dune/mangrove vegetation, earth bunds, and targeted rock-revetment upgrades where necessary; consider strategic/partial retreat where exposure remains high.
- Plan next-stage investigations: detailed topographic survey, flood modelling and engineering design to refine crest heights, alignments and phasing.
- Build capacity and safeguards: address legacy drainage/engineering issues through agency/community training and stronger environmental/social safeguards; continue participatory co-design with villages.
