Climate relocation in Fiji is a component of the adaptation strategy addressing the escalating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and coastal erosion. Fiji is particularly vulnerable due to its low-lying geography and reliance on coastal ecosystems. This article examines the framework of the Republic of Fiji’s public policies regarding relocations related to climate change and natural disasters. The primary sources for this article are government documents from the Republic of Fiji. The study analyzes these documents to identify relevant aspects for Ukraine, which, after critical reconsideration, should be thoroughly examined and incorporated into the development of corresponding legislation in Ukraine. It was found that the legislative framework for climate-related relocations in Fiji includes documents such as the “Fiji National Climate Change Policy”, the “Fiji National Adaptation Plan”, the “Planned Relocation Guidelines”, the “Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund Act”, and the “Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation”, among others. The study focuses mainly on the analysis of the “Planned Relocation Guidelines”, which outline the primary principles and approaches to this process, detailing its stages and the stakeholders involved, as well as recommendations for their actions and interactions. It was found that the relocation process involves complex planning aimed at preserving cultural heritage, sustaining livelihoods, and building resilient infrastructure while ensuring human rights at all stages of relocation. The study concludes that this document reveals the algorithm of the population relocation process due to climate and environmental reasons. However, practical recommendations for all stakeholders, including vulnerable communities, are contained in the “Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation”, which compiles a broad range of recommendations useful for legislators, policymakers, and practitioners in many countries, including Ukraine.

Key words: climate change, adaptation, climate displacement, mobility of the population, environmental law, environmental migration, regulated migration, Fiji, legislation.

References

1. Lewis, L. and Foon, E. (2023), “We’re not judges’: Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Confirm Baron Waqa is Secretary-General”, available at: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/502130/we-re-not-judges-pacific-islands-forum-leaders-confirm-baron-waqa-is-secretary-general (accessed 23 June 2024).
2. Marter-Kenyon, J (2020), “Origins and Functions of Climate-Related Relocation: An Analytical Review”, The Anthropocene Review, No. 7(2), PP. 159–188. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019620915633
3. Gharbaoui, D. and Blocher, J. (2016), “The Reason Land Matters: Relocation as Adaptation to Climate Change in Fiji Islands”, Migration, Risk Management and Climate Change: Evidence and Policy Responses / in Milan, A., Schraven, B., Warner, K., Cascone, N.(Ed.), Springer International Publishing Switzerland, PP. 149–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42922-9_8
4. Boege, V. and Shibata, R. (2020), “Climate Change, Relocation and Peacebuilding in Fiji: Challenges, Debates, and Ways Forward”, Policy Brief № 97. Toda Peace Institution, Japan, available at: https://toda.org/assets/files/resources/policy-briefs/t-pb-97_volker-boege-and-ria-shibata.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
5. Martin, P. C. M., Nunn, P., Leon, J. and Tindale, N. (2018), “Responding to Multiple Climate-Linked Stressors in a Remote Island Context: The Example of Yadua Island, Fiji”, Climate Risk Manag, ScienceDirect, Vol. 21, PP. 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2018.04.003
6. Piggott-McKellar, A. and Vella, K. (2023), “Lessons Learned and Policy Implications from Climate-Related Planned Relocation in Fiji and Australia”, Front. Clim, Vol. 5, available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2023.1032547/full (accessed 23 June 2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2023.1032547
7. McMichael, C. and Powell, T. (2021), “Planned Relocation and Health: A Case Study from Fiji”, International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health, No. 18(8), available at: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4355 (accessed 23 June 2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084355
8. Saber, S. and Rosenkranz, A. (2021), “Climate-Induced Mass Relocation in Fiji”, Environmental Policy and Law, No. 50(4–5), PP. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3233/EPL-200240
9. Piggott-McKellar, A. E. and McMichael, C. (2021), “The Immobility-Relocation Continuum: Diverse Responses to Coastal Change in a Small Island State”, Environmental Science & Policy, ScienceDirect, Vol. 125, PP. 105–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.08.019
10. Piggott-McKellar, A. E., McNamara, K. E., Nunn, P. D. and Sekinini, S. T. (2019), “Moving people in a changing climate: lessons from two case studies in Fiji”, Social Sciences, No. 8(5), available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/8/5/133 (accessed 23 June 2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8050133
11. Campbell, J. R. (2008), “International Relocation from Pacific Island Countries: Adaptation Failure?”, Environment, Forced Migration & Social Vulnerability (International Conference 9–11 October 2008, Bonn, Germany), available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267963740_International_Relocation_from_Pacific_Island_Countries_Adaptation_Failure (accessed 23 June 2024).
12. Caramel, L. (2014), “Besieged by the Rising Tides of Climate Change, Kiribati buys Land in Fiji”, The Guardian, available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/01/kiribati-climate-change-fiji-vanua-levu (accessed 23 June 2024).
13. Briefing Note “Fiji National Climate Change Policy” (2021), Ministry of Economy, Suva, Fiji, available at: Fiji-National-Climate-Change-Policy.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
14. How Fiji is Impacted by Climate Change (2017), United Nations Climate Change, available at: https://unfccc.int/news/how-fiji-is-impacted-by-climate-change (accessed 23 June 2024).
15. Overview of Fiji’s Response to International Frameworks on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (2019), GIZ, Bonn, available at: https://www.adaptationcommunity.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Overview-Fijis-Response-to-HMCCC-2019.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
16. Republic of Fiji National Adaptation Plan. A Pathway Towards Climate Resilience (2018), Government of the Republic of Fiji, Suva, Fiji, available at: https://fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Fiji_National-Adaptation-Plan.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
17. Planned Relocation Guidelines. A Framework to Undertake Climate Change Related Relocation (2018), Ministry of Economy, Republic of Fiji, Suva, Fiji, available at: https://fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Planned-Relocation-Guidelines_Fiji.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
18. Information Sharing Session on Climate Relocation of Communities (CROC) Trust Fund (2024), Fiji Climate Change Portal, available at: https://fijiclimatechangeportal.gov.fj/information-sharing-session-on-climate-relocation-of-community-croc-trust-fund/ (accessed 23 June 2024).
19. Standard Operating Procedures for Planned Relocation in the Republic of Fiji (2023), Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Fiji, Suva, Fiji, available at: https://www.giz.de/de/downloads/Fiji_SOP_Planned_Relocation_March2023_FINAL_web.pdf (accessed 23 June 2024).
20. Climate Change Act 2021 (2021), Climate Change Laws of the World, available at: https://climate-laws.org/document/climate-change-act-2021_8bf7 (accessed 23 June 2024).