Author: Choi Being Yeeting
Yeeting, Choi Being, 2023 Evaluating the progress of the Integrated Vulnerability Assessment in Kiribati, Flinders University, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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Climate Change impacts which result in sea level rise and rising temperatures, on coastal communities continue to affect the livelihood dimensions of people, their environment, and natural resources on which they rely on. The Pacific Small Island Developing States have turned towards stringent adaptation planning process which must be informed through sound evidence. Using Climate vulnerability assessments as the medium to provide information and analysed results to support decision making for adaptation. This study will consider relevant literature, research and cases studies on climate vulnerability and adaptation planning, using IPCC guideline and contextualised approached adopted and fit for purpose. The succession of ideologies and the shift of approaches demonstrates the need for adaptation to continuously consider the issues and challenges which shape the vulnerability context of PSIDS. The core focus of this study is on the Integrated Vulnerability Assessment adopted by Kiribati and the progress that the Government of Kiribati has undertaken to support the integrated approach for assessing climate vulnerability meanwhile ensuring that the integrity of information, the analysis of data and share experiences from island community stakeholders are well captured. The results point towards gaps identified in terms of the application of the methodology developed by Kiribati. These issues further provide insight on the underlying reasons for the IVA assessment methodology because of limited capacities, financial constraints and the technical and analytical capabilities of the assessors to provide adequate information and results to support adaptation planning. The results further show inadequacies within the methodologies applied, the information interpreted and the shared results through the IVA reports to decision makers which may alter how communities, governance structures and leaders interact with adaptation and resilience efforts. Using Kiribati as a case study, an evaluation of the progress of the Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (IVA) methodology will demonstrate how these shifts in concepts and additions of all relevant and vulnerable sectors and parameters show consistency with the movement towards multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional vulnerability assessment frameworks and methodologies. As part of this evaluation, this research paper will also identify challenges affecting the progress of adaptation planning and provide recommendations based on best practices adopted in Kiribati.
Keywords: Climate Vulnerability, Adaptation, Adaptation planning, Integrated, SIDS, PSIDS, Kiribati, Communities, Vulnerability assessment, evaluation, methodology, IVA
Subject: Environmental Studies thesis
Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2023
School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Supervisor: Beverley Clarke