Vanuatu has launched new policy tools to strengthen the role of forests, mangroves, reefs and traditional knowledge in national climate adaptation planning.

Key points

• The new resources provide practical guidance and policy recommendations to help strengthen the use of Nature-based Solutions across national planning systems
• The project is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu

The resources were formally handed over to the Government of Vanuatu during a special launch in Port Vila through the Promoting Pacific Island Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) project.

The project is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu, with the work aimed at embedding Nature-based Solutions into climate adaptation planning and decision-making.

Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation Director Osborne Melenamu described healthy ecosystems as central to community resilience.

"These reports recognise something that communities across Vanuatu have understood for generations that healthy ecosystems are fundamental to resilience, livelihoods, culture, and wellbeing," he said.

"Forests regulate water systems, reduce erosion, protect biodiversity, and support food security and livelihoods.

"Mangroves, reefs, seagrasses, and coastal ecosystems protect our shorelines, reduce wave energy, sustain fisheries, and strengthen resilience against storms and sea level rise."

The policy outputs include a guideline for integrating Nature-based Solutions into Vanuatu's National Adaptation Plan, a national policy framework assessment for coastal resilience and forestry, and a policy briefing paper linked to the assessment.

The new resources provide practical guidance and policy recommendations to help strengthen the use of Nature-based Solutions across national planning systems.

They also recognise the role of ecosystems in protecting communities during extreme weather events.

Mangrove forests help absorb wave energy before it reaches villages, while coral reefs act as natural barriers against storm surges.

Forests also help stabilise soils, reduce erosion and protect water sources during extreme weather.

Vanuatu is continuing to strengthen the role of nature within climate adaptation and development planning as communities face the impacts of climate change.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade representative and First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu Holly Peacock said nature-positive approaches were grounded in local knowledge.

"Nature-positive solutions work because they are practical, proven, and rooted in place," she said.

"They also build on something fundamental - generations of local knowledge and stewardship: our collective 'kastom save'."

Nature-based Solutions is a relatively new term in policy discussions, but the principles behind it are familiar to many ni-Vanuatu communities.

Traditional knowledge, customary management systems and community stewardship have long played a role in managing forests, coastal ecosystems and natural resources across Vanuatu.

The policy outputs developed under the PPIN project build on those strengths by providing guidance for integrating Nature-based Solutions into national adaptation planning.

The work reflects Vanuatu's leadership in advancing Nature-based Solutions across national policy and planning.

PPIN Project Coordinator Utulei Lui said SPREP would continue to support Pacific Island countries to strengthen climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

"As the Pacific's regional environment organisation, SPREP is committed to supporting our Members to strengthen climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development through approaches that are grounded in both science and Pacific knowledge systems," she said.

"Nature-based Solutions are now recognised across the Pacific as a practical and effective approach for addressing climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development challenges, and Vanuatu has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing this agenda through its commitment to integrating [Nature-based Solutions] into national planning and adaptation processes."

Ms Lui also acknowledged the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, the Department of Climate Change, the Department of Forestry, development partners, technical stakeholders, consultants and community representatives involved in the process.

The PPIN project is funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The project is managed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in partnership with the Pacific Community, SPREP and the Global Green Growth Institute.