Conserving island ecosystems and reducing their vulnerability to climate change

The regional RESCCUE project (restoration of ecosystem services and adaptation to climate change) has been operational since early 2015. It supports countries and territories in Oceania in the implementation of integrated coastal zone management, with pilot sites in Fiji, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Vanuatu.The implementation of this project is ensured by the SPC. This involves maintaining and improving the functionality of ecosystems, demonstrating their economic value and putting in place innovative financing mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of conservation actions (for example via payments for environmental services). Each pilot site develops activities related to its ecosystem: hunting and control of invasive species, pearl farming and sustainable fishing, reforestation and mangrove plantation, sustainable tourism, etc.).Initially funded to the tune of 4 million euros, the RESCCUE project received an additional 4.5 million euros in 2017 to sustain and strengthen the actions in place.