Addressing unavoidable climate change loss and damage: A case study from Fiji’s sugar industry

Abstract

Climate change loss and damage (L&D) presents an existential threat to vulnerable countries. This case study describes an example of vulnerable communities facing challenges in minimising, averting, and addressing L&D. Through a grounded theoretical lens, qualitative research was used to gain in-depth insights into climate change L&D from cyclones in Fiji's sugar industry. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n=68) were conducted, in two Indo-Fijian sugarcane communities, Barotu and Toko settlements in Western Viti Levu, Fiji, and with key stakeholders from government ministries, academia, and climate change response services. Key findings from this research reveal that despite implementing climate change adaptation measures, Fiji’s sugar industry faces devastating L&D from regular, severe cyclones. Much of that climate change L&D is irreversible and could be categorised as unavoidable L&D, including loss of property, crops, and income. Non-economic loss and damage (NELD) was also documented in both field sites, such as losses of homes and places of worship, cascading and flow-on effects, and also the heightening of uncertainty, fear, and trauma. The systematic documentation of L&D within vulnerable communities would improve understanding of L&D, including NELD, and assist to facilitate the mobilisation of urgent support and action to address L&D in countries that lack the capacities to respond independently. Key policy interventions are recommended such as livelihood diversification, integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and the operationalisation of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage.