Local2030 Islands Network

🌊 🌍 The Local2030 Islands Network is launching an innovative 10-week learning series on regenerative tourism, offering a unique opportunity to dive deep into practical approaches for tourism transformation and learn from island communities and thought-leaders in a peer-to-peer forum. This interactive series combines theoretical knowledge with real-world case studies, creating a dynamic learning environment where participants can engage with peers, access curated resources, and contribute their own experiences. Unlike traditional online courses, this series is hosted on the Virtual Island Platform (VIP), allowing for ongoing dialogue, resource sharing, and community building. The series is based on topics identified during our in-person meeting in early 2024 and is designed to be both a learning journey and a lasting resource hub that participants can reference and contribute to over time. 📅 Sign up Deadline: October 31st, 2024 (Hawaii) 🚀 Free Series starts: November 1st, 2024 Sign up here: bit.ly/LS24signup Curious to know more? This week, the Local2030 Islands Network presented two webinars on "Regenerative Tourism: Island Perspectives." The webinars, held in both Pacific/Caribbean and Indian/Atlantic time zones, showcased how islands are pioneering innovative approaches to combine tourism, conservation, and community resilience - sign up above for recording access. Key Takeaways: 🌿 Islands can offer an important contribution on the global stage. Islanders understand and have deeply embedded knowledge about the ecological, social, and economic limits of their bioregions and often have an intrinsic capacity for systems thinking and living within these limits. 🌿 Islands aren't just facing climate challenges—they've long been laboratories for regenerative, circular, and nature-based solutions that benefit both nature and communities. 🌿 We don’t only need to ensure tourism contributes to nature; we need to develop a new relationship with Nature. As Tyson mentioned, “We are not in a tourism business; we are in a nature business.” 🌿 Genuine community engagement is more than a few consultations. It means engaging and incorporating communities into decision-making at every stage of the cycle - resource flow should reflect this. Join us in this systemic (and mindset) shift to transform tourism together 🌍 ✨ Kate Brown Celeste Connors Samantha Happ Dianne Dredge, PhD Paula Lewis Erin Michelle Derrington Nadine S. Jabal Hassanali Zoë Callahan Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā T. Ilihia Gionson Aaron J. Salā, PhD Christina Leala-Gale Daniel Nahoopii Jerry Spooner Tyson O. López ☕ Pauline Sheldon Scott Shatto Karolin Troubetzkoy Gabrielle Johnson, PhD, PMP Gail Woods Regenerative Vanua Pacific Tourism Organisation NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration The Ocean Foundation Blue Community Consortium EarthEcho International Léonie Weerakoon The Biomimicry Institute

📌Representatives from Fiji, Solomon Islands, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tuvalu dove into tools for climate assessment, exploring ways to strengthen island resilience against threats like rising sea levels and coastal erosion—all while embracing sustainable tourism practices at the Building Island Climate Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Workshop in Nadi! 🌊 🌏 This collaborative training is all about proactive adaptation and aligning tourism with environmental preservation. Participants are building a network of resilience-focused professionals committed to safeguarding Pacific islands for future generations.🏝 Followed by participants heading out to the Bulaccino Organic Farm for a field activity, linking climate adaptation with sustainable, local practices. 🌴 At the Building Island Climate Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Workshop in Nadi is hosted by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, in partnership with the Local2030 Islands Network and Pacific Tourism Organisation, the workshop equips participants with strategies to identify and mitigate climate risks impacting island tourism sectors. 🌴 #PacificTourism #SustainableTourism #ClimateResilience #ClimateAdaptation #SafeguardingPacificIslands 📸

Today, we kicked off the Building Island Climate Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Workshop! Hosted by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and joined by partners Local2030 Islands Network, SPTO, The Ocean Foundation, and backed by the U.S. Department of State, this event brings together practioners, passionate about driving sustainable change for island nations. Over the next four days these partitioners from various sectors will share their experiences on actions for climate resilience for sustainable and regenerative tourism and develop principles and good practices for climate resilience for the sustainable and regenerative tourism sector.. Fiji’s Acting Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, Viliame Gavoka, opened the event, “We are not only here to listen but to act. As island nations on the frontlines of climate change, our economies—tied to tourism—must adapt and evolve to thrive.” Sustainable and regenerative tourism have the power to reshape island economies, ecosystems, and cultures. These approaches, when applied effectively, strengthen resilience to climate impacts and help reverse the damage of traditional tourism. SPTO CEO Chris Cocker echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that this workshop is about “building resilience and shaping a sustainable future.” Over the next few days, participants from across the Pacific will explore how sustainable and regenerative tourism can protect island economies, ecosystems, and cultures. Aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework, this workshop will be essential as SPTO prepares for its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. #PacificTourism #Partnerships #climateresilience #SustainableTourism #BluePacific #oceanpartnership

Terrific engagement opportunities in the month ahead! Please save the dates and visit CARICOM: Caribbean Community and Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for more details and registration information.

Many thanks to our presenters and for those of you who were able to attend the Global Water / Energy / Food Nexus in Islands webinar and consultation. 🏝️💧🥗⚡🌏 For those that were not able to join, you can view the recording here: https://lnkd.in/geQPEYnr This meeting highlighted the essential interconnections between water, energy, and food systems in the context of climate change challenges for island communities. Key takeaways emphasize the importance of nexus thinking and ongoing community engagement and capacity building to achieve locally led progress towards the sustainable development goals – topics and initiatives that we hope to continue to co-develop with YOUR feedback. Our Communities of Practice (CoPs) are member-driven and we’d love to hear more about YOUR priorities! 💡 🔖 🌟 Please find the full survey link here to share some of your feedback regarding Water and Energy CoP-specific priorities and engagement preferences which will help inform webinar topics and curriculum development in the year ahead: https://lnkd.in/gBfxkAxk You can also access the survey at www.menti.com using code “4908 3085” or using the QR code in the banner in this post. The Water and Energy CoP and general engagement questions are combined so please feel free to skip questions if they don’t apply! This survey will be open through 5pm HST 31 Oct. and your responses will be used to inform engagement priorities, so your feedback will be much appreciated – thank you and looking forward to promoting more engaging peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and solutions scaling in the months and years ahead! 🏝️💧🥗⚡🌏 Please take the survey and feel free to share with other energy and water practitioners and experts! Celeste Connors, Kate Brown, Samantha Happ, Erin Michelle Derrington, Jabal Hassanali, Paula Lewis, Austin J. Shelton, Ph.D., Bianca Peters, Vanessa Toré, Meredith Ryder-Rude, Pedzi Girigori, Edison Rijna, Daniel Whittle, Mary Alalo, Fran Castro, Francesco Sindico, Samantha Kies-Ryan, Reshma Ram, Kasper Lendering, Mariano Iglecias, Robbie Greene, Antony Garae, Rebecca Respicio, Clarence Kitalong, Christie Mettes, Nadia Arielle Mohammed, Jacinto Buenfil, Cherri-Ann Farquharson, Solomone Fifita, Laura Forni, Sapphire Vital, Alex D., Hannah Shipman-Peila, UOG Center for Island Sustainability, Climate Analytics Caribbean, Blue Planet Alliance, Amanda Ellis, Hawaii Green Growth UN Local2030 Hub, Guam Green Growth, Global Island Partnership (GLISPA)

Thrilled to have just participated in a panel hosted by the Local2030 Islands Network on the topic of regenerative travel alongside Scott Shatto! During this session, I had the unique opportunity to share the transformative journey of the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF) as we continue to transition from a traditional Park Management Organization to a Modern Conservation Management Organization – a journey we’ve been on for over a year. Rightfully described by my good friend and host of this panel, Dianne Dredge, PhD, our journey can be seen as the transition of a caterpillar into a butterfly, and when asked what skills and knowledge is needed to make this big shift, it got me thinking of just how challenging yet meaningful this change is. To answer Dianne’s question – this evolution requires a blend of skills: real knowledge of biodiversity, ecology, and nature’s complexities, all wrapped up in strategic thinking, ability to engage with our most important stakeholders, relationship building, and communication. It’s not just about managing nature—it's about managing people, communities, and connections. As I come to think of it, restoring nature starts with restoring our relationship and our spiritual connection with it, and that is no easy feat. As we continue on this transformative journey, we’re focusing on education and raising awareness, bridging the gap between people and nature, and reminding people that we are one with nature, and only by understanding that can we truly restore it.

Join us next week (dates below).

GGGI is on the lookout for a passionate Sustainable Transport Officer to lead impactful projects in the beautiful region of the Pacific! If you thrive in independent roles, love problem-solving, and want to make a real difference in sustainable mobility, we want to hear from you! 📍 Location: Suva, Fiji or Port Vila, Vanuatu ⏳ Contract Duration: 36 months 📅 Application Deadline: 25/10/2024 🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4f67UBT Don’t miss this chance to contribute to a greener future! Apply now and be part of the change! #SustainableTransport #GGGI #PacificRegion #JobOpportunity #Sustainability #Fiji #JoinUs #Vanuatu

📣 Join our webinar and member priorities consultation on the Global Water / Energy / Food Nexus in Islands – TOMORROW - on 17th / 18th October! ⚡ 💡 🌊 🥗 🏝️ With support from our presenters from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) SIDS Lighthouse Initiative, GIZ Pacific, FAO Caribbean, and NOAA SeaGrant, this webinar will explore intersectoral policy and management challenges and opportunities through the Local2030 Islands Network's Resilient and Clean Energy Systems and Resilient Water Systems Communities of Practice, exploring trends as well as bright spots and needs with a focus on islands in the context of the energy / water / food nexus framed by the theme of the #GlobalClimateWeek. Resulting discussions and feedback from members and participants will inform forthcoming agenda and curriculum development to further advancement of localised sustainable development goals (SDGs) in islands with a focus on SDG 6 (water) and SDG 7 (energy). Speakers and Presentation Titles: -     Nadia Mohammed, Programme Officer, SIDS Lighthouses, IRENA - The Energy-Food-Water Nexus: A Pathway to Sustainable Development and Resilience for Small Island Developing States -       Dr. Milika Sobey, GIZ - Emergent Themes and Resilience Priorities of the Water Sector in Pacific Islands Countries -       Jacinto Buenfil, FAO-Caribbean - Resilient Caribbean Initiative's Water-Energy-Food Nexus – Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities -       Kelley Anderson Tagarino, American Samoa Sea Grant Extension Agent - Navigating To Resilience Through The United States’ Fastest Rate of Relative Sea Level Rise In American Samoa 🌍 Join us as we explore and amplify island-led efforts to build resilience in the built, natural, and human environments in the face of a changing climate through our thematic focal areas of regeneration, adaptation, and localization to enable a more sustainable future for Island Earth 💚 🏝 💻 Webinar Details: 📅 Date: Thursday 17nd October / Friday 18th October One session will be held but if you cannot attend, listserv members of the Resilient and Clean Energy Systems and Resilient Water Systems Communities of Practice will receive a webinar recording and post-webinar priorities survey – if you aren’t already signed up you can join by submitting your details online at https://lnkd.in/gzk4T8ej Please register here to reserve your spot and join the webinar: https://bit.ly/4ei5v6E Celeste Connors, Kate Brown, Samantha Happ, Jabal Hassanali, Erin Michelle Derrington, Nadia Arielle Mohammed, Jacinto Buenfil, IWRA - International Water Resources Association, Francesco Sindico, ICLEI, Austin J. Shelton, Ph.D. Bianca Peters, Vanessa Toré, Meredith Ryder-Rude, Daniel Whittle, Pedzi Girigori, Holly Darrow, Francois Rogers Blue Planet Alliance, Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) 

Aditya Agrawal who works with Digital Earth Pacific and his company D4DInsights was at the first in person convening of the Data for Climate Resilience Community of Practice. We look forward to continuing to work with him and also with SPC to tackle the issues outlined below.