Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji

The report highlights the role of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and iTaukei governance in Fiji as cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to grey infrastructure for climate adaptation. TEK provides time-tested strategies for disaster risk reduction, including early warning systems and risk prevention for floods, storms, and wildfires, leveraging the accumulated knowledge of the Indigenous iTaukei people to build community resilience.

• Traditional governance within the iTaukei community, specifically the roles of chiefs, remains essential to cultural identity and will be critical in responding to climate change.
• Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) can serve as an ecologically friendly and cost-effective substitute for conventional grey infrastructure projects like dams and seawalls.
• TEK contributes to disaster risk reduction through established methods for predicting storms and floods, preserving food, providing early warnings, and reducing risks from landslides and wildfires.

APA

Qi,, I. A. T. F. K. (2025). Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji

Chicago

Qi,, Izhaar Ali,Melaia Tikoitoga,Talei F. Kocovanua,Jeffrey. Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Qi, |first1=Izhaar Ali,Melaia Tikoitoga,Talei F. Kocovanua,Jeffrey |title=Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=9 April 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{qi2025traditional, author = {Qi,, Izhaar Ali,Melaia Tikoitoga,Talei F. Kocovanua,Jeffrey}, title = {{Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/traditional-ecological-knowledge-adaptation-fiji}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }