Journal article
Climate change and the planned relocation of people: A longitudinal analysis of Vunidogoloa, Fiji
C McMichael, T Powell, AE Piggott-McKellar, M Yee
Ambio | SPRINGER | Published : 2025
Abstract
Rising sea levels under a changing climate will cause permanent inundation, flooding, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion. An emerging adaptation response is planned relocation, a directed process of relocating people, assets, and infrastructure to safer locations. Climate-related planned relocation is an unfolding process, yet no longitudinal studies have examined outcomes over time. Vunidogoloa, a low-lying coastal village in Fiji, relocated to higher land in 2014. This paper considers the dynamic outcomes of relocation, based on qualitative data collected between 2015 and 2023. It examines: residents’ changing experience of climate and environmental risk; governance and decision-maki..
View full abstractGrants
Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the residents of Vunidogoloa, Fiji, who generously shared their knowledge, perspectives and insights over many years. Thanks to the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, the Cakaudrove Provincial Office, and Sailosi Ramatu the Turaga-ni-Koro and a traditional leader of Vunidogoloa village. We also thank two reviewers who provided constructive comments.