TCAP partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) extended
01 Dec 2020
SPC collecting data in support of TCAP’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, 2019. Photo: TCAP
In December 2018, TCAP and the Pacific Community (SPC) signed a Letter of Agreement, outlining a partnership between the Government of Tuvalu, UNDP and SPC to collect and analyze data around Tuvalu’s vulnerability to marine and coastal hazards, and the potential social and environmental impacts of the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project. At TCAP’s 5th Board Meeting in November, the board agreed to extend the partnership to include training of government partners on climate change and coastal adaptation between 2021 and 2023.
In August 2019, a team from SPC joined TCAP in traveling to Nanumaga and Nanumea islands to carry out geotechnical engineering assessments and to collect comprehensive data on sea levels.
The results have since been integrated into TCAP’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for each of the islands - a process for evaluating and managing potential environmental and social impacts of a project - and inform TCAP’s proposed coastal protection designs.
“The field investigations went smoothly, and we managed to collect all the required data...Our team received fantastic support from the Department of Lands & Survey, UNDP, TCAP’s local project management unit, Nanumanga Island Kaupule, Nanumea Island Kaupule, and the communities themselves,” said Garry Lee, geotechnical adviser in SPC’s Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division.
“We really enjoyed the wonderful Tuvaluan hospitality provided by the local communities on both Nanumea and Nanumanga. Everybody was very welcoming, supported us in every way possible to complete our work, and made our time in Tuvalu an enjoyable experience,” said Poate Degei, technical officer with SPC.
This year, TCAP’s local Project Management Unit presented the draft ESIA reports to all stakeholders on Funafuti, Nanumea and Nanumaga islands, inviting them to contribute and raise any issues not addressed. Overall, the reports were accepted by communities, with their comments and concerns recorded for inclusion in the final reports (read more about the recent community consultations).
“Community consultations are key to community ‘buy-in’”, said TCAP Project Manager Alan Resture. “Having them express their views and concerns about the project allows them to see that the project belongs to them, it gives them the sense of ownership and empowerment, and that working together with all stakeholders will tender all the support needed to push the project forward.”
At TCAP’s 5th Board Meeting in November, the board agreed to extend the partnership with SPC to include training of government partners on climate change and coastal adaptation between 2021 and 2023.
Poate Degei and the team deployed tide and wave recorders on the two islands. In total, around six recorders were deployed to both islands, with a minimum timeframe of 60 days to capture data, with analysis to be carried out by scientific officers in SPC Office in Suva Other SPC staff continue to deploy tidal and wave recorders to other islands of Tuvalu, in support of the Tuvalu national assessment for all the islands.
The assessments involved field surveys as well as stakeholder consultations, collection of geological data & samples, laboratory testing, review of existing information, and preparation of a scientific report. The results of the assessments highlighted the intrinsic links between marine biology, oceanographic conditions, and island geomorphology.
With the assistance of Tuvalu’s Department of Lands and Survey, TCAP also conducted GPS surveys of major infrastructure on the islands and deployed a drone to take aerial photos for a shoreline study.
TCAP Project Manager Alan Resture hosts meeting with island stakeholders.
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