30 October 2024, Tarawa, Kiribati – The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies will enhance Kiribati's efforts toward sustainable development, resource management, and climate resilience.
The point was highlighted during a national GIS training workshop held from 8 to 11 October 2024, facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in collaboration with the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Agricultural Development (MELAD).
Mr. George Taoaba from the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of MELAD, said the four-day training enhanced the capacity of Kiribati's government agencies and stakeholders to use GIS technology for more effective environmental planning and management.
More than 30 participants, representing various key government agencies, including Environment, Agriculture, Tourism, Fisheries, Meteorology, Infrastructure, Ports and Health, were equipped with essential skills in GIS.
The training included an introduction to GIS and data management with a group work component on how the different tools and datasets collected can be used for various project applications on biodiversity and climate change impacts.
The participants used open-source mapping software, Quantum GIS (QGIS), and Kobo toolbox mobile applications to practice collecting sample points and mapping a part of the Ananau Causeway landscape and coastline and to process the data.
The resulting maps provided a snapshot of these areas to identify locations of healthy and stressed mangroves and determine how effective the mangroves are in terms of coastal protection.
Additionally, participants collected data on possible shoreline areas at risk of erosion and how mangrove replanting can be monitored to ensure that the rate of erosion is controlled.
The SPREP team also included a session on awareness and the use of earth observation (EO) technology and how it can assist with environmental management in Kiribati. These tools are crucial for improving environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning, and natural resource management.
Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut, SPREP Environmental Monitoring, and Reporting Adviser, encouraged participants to use the skills gained to assist them in their roles as environmental stewards and future leaders of Kiribati. He urged participants to use the opportunity to learn from one another, to share experiences, and work towards more coordinated and effective environmental management efforts on the ground.
The Kiribati Marine Spatial Planning Coordinating Committee (KMSPCC) was also present to provide a local context and discuss the current GIS work in Kiribati and existing data policies in-country.
A representative from the local NGO, the Kiribati Women in Mapping (KWIM) also presented on the work undertaken by the group and how they are contributing to sustainable development for Kiribati using spatial technology. These presentations provided valuable insights into how GIS is being utilised by various stakeholders for effective decision-making.
A special presentation from Geoscience Australia was delivered to participants, introducing the transformative potential of earth observation (EO) products. The EO segment of the training offered new perspectives on how satellite imagery and spatial data can support decision-making, particularly in addressing the pressing environmental and developmental challenges faced by Kiribati.
"Earth Observation technology allows us to monitor our changing environment in real-time, offering invaluable insights that complement on-the-ground data collection," said Ms Vani Koroisamanunu, SPREP Environmental GIS Specialist. "This training brings Kiribati one step closer to harnessing these tools to drive effective, data-driven decisions for sustainable development."
Geoscience Australia played a key part in the training with experts presenting EO products tailored to the specific needs of Kiribati. These include satellite data for monitoring coastal erosion, assessing the health of marine ecosystems, and supporting climate adaptation efforts.
Mr Tiwau Ribanatake, from Clean Spatial Solutions, shared: “The introduction of Earth Observation technology was an eye-opener for us. We see how it can significantly aid in monitoring our coastlines and developing infrastructure, especially in remote areas where in-person data collection is difficult.”
The hands-on GIS training included data collection exercises that will help participants build and analyse geospatial data sets relevant to their respective sectors. The tools presented in the workshop are expected to improve navigation systems, track coastal changes, and inform environmental policies.
Ms Toria Bokai, from the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources Development, said the training has not only enhanced their technical capacity but it has also broadened their understanding of how spatial technologies like Kobo Toolbox, GIS and Earth Observation can drive long-term planning and management.
The participants also explored SPREP’s online portals, the Pacific Islands Protected Areas Portal (PIPAP), and the Pacific Environment Data Portal (PEDP) specifically on the Kiribati country portal. This is to familiarise themselves with accessing available datasets (spatial and nonspatial) for GIS mapping. As the main part of the training is focused on spatial data and its management, the participants were exposed to different data collection methods at national, regional, and global scales.
The training reinforced SPREP’s commitment to support Kiribati and other Pacific Island countries in environmental monitoring, governance, and sustainability. Integrating EO products into national systems will support efforts in environmental protection and sustainable development well into the future. It underscores the significance of collaboration and shared dedication to environmental protection, made possible through funding support from the Emma Luke project, alongside contributions from SPREP programmes funded by the European Union (EU), the African Caribbean Pacific Multilateral Environmental Agreements (ACP/MEAs) Programme Phase 3, and the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management (BIOPAMA2) Project.
To find out more about the Emma Luke Project, please contact Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut at [email protected]
For the ACP/MEA3 project, please contact Mrs. Vani Koroisamanunu at [email protected]
For the BIOPAMA2 project, please contact Mrs. Kasaqa Tora at [email protected]