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© 2025 Island Innovation. All rights reserved.

    News

    Curated stories and analysis from islands and sustainability leaders worldwide.

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    All ThemesCircular EconomyClimate ActionConnectivity & DigitizationCulture & CommunityEnergy & TransportGreen Finance & EconomyOcean & BiodiversityPolicy & GovernanceTourism & Remote WorkWater & Food
    Showing 9 of 103 news items in Circular Economy
    Recycling Revolution: St. Kitts And Nevis Embrace Environmental Stewardship
    Circular EconomyMarch 28, 2024

    Recycling Revolution: St. Kitts And Nevis Embrace Environmental Stewardship

    Excerpt and Photo from thelabourspokesman.com Basseterre, St. Kitts – The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is witnessing a remarkable transformation in environmental conservation, with recycling practices becoming ingrained in every community’s daily routines. This significant cultural shift is largely attributed to the successful collaboration between the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund and the local St. Kitts Solid Waste Management Recycling Project. Initiated on June 20, 2022, this recycling project has been pivotal in promoting the Sustainable Island State Agenda’s vision for a No-Plastic Future. It encourages the Federation’s citizens to conscientiously recycle plastic bottles, caps, and aluminum cans, contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment. The project’s impact is evident in the steadily increasing volume of recyclables collected at designated drop-off stations across the island. These stations, set up weekly in various urban and rural locations, have seen a surge in usage, reflecting the community’s growing commitment to recycling. The data speaks volumes: from 38,749 lbs of recycled plastic collected in 2022, the figure almost doubled to 73,492 lbs in 2023. This remarkable increase underscores the Federation’s dedication to combating plastic pollution and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

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    Innovative experiment converts discarded fish skin into sustainable leather products
    Circular EconomyMarch 28, 2024

    Innovative experiment converts discarded fish skin into sustainable leather products

    Photo: Laufaleaina Lesā. Retrieved from undp.org An innovative experiment, known as the 100% Fish Use project, that successfully tested the conversion of discarded fish skin into sustainable fish leather and leather products, was showcased today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at the ‘fish hub’ at Taufusi. This initiative addresses critical environmental and economic challenges faced by Pacific island countries like Samoa. The vast oceanic resources surrounding Samoa make fish a vital source of food and economic security, but threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing endanger ocean ecosystems and livelihoods. In response, UNDP continues to support the Government of Samoa and its people to balance ocean conservation with community needs. The Accelerator Lab (AccLab), UNDP’s in-house innovation engine, proposed innovative solutions to diversify ocean-dependent livelihoods and aid in ocean conservation. Recognized for its potential impact, AccLab Samoa won the 2023 Japan SDG Challenge, supported by the Cabinet of Japan.

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    Tuvalu preserves history online as rising seas threaten existence
    Circular EconomyMarch 18, 2024

    Tuvalu preserves history online as rising seas threaten existence

    Two years after he delivered a speech to the United Nations climate conference standing knee-deep in seawater to highlight the threat to the nation of Tuvalu, minister Simon Kofe said they were on their way to becoming a digital nation. The Pacific island nation, halfway between Australia and Hawaii, had completed a detailed 3D scan of its 124 islands and islets, which will be the basis for creating a digital clone of itself, he said in a message in December. Authorities are also archiving Tuvalu’s cultural heritage, as well as exploring a digital identity system to connect the diaspora, and a digital passport so citizens can register births, deaths and marriages, and participate in polls and other events. “We are taking these practical steps because we must … ensuring our continuing sovereignty in the face of a worst-case scenario,” said Kofe, minister of justice, communication and foreign affairs. “We cannot outrun the rising tides, but we will do what we can to protect our statehood, our spirit, our values.”

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    Bahamas, Dominica and Grenada to join Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)
    Circular EconomyMarch 18, 2024

    Bahamas, Dominica and Grenada to join Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)

    Excerpt and Photo from caf.com The Board of Directors of CAF met in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and authorized the allocation of its shares to facilitate the entry of new Caribbean countries through the incorporation of Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada as Series “C” members. This will allow these countries to access the technical, financial and knowledge services offered by the bank to its member countries to improve the quality of life of citizens. “Our positioning in the Caribbean will give a new dimension to an organization that was created by six Andean countries (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), which now fifty-six years later, has 21 shareholder countries and is one of the main sources of multilateral financing in the region. This expansion of CAF in the Caribbean will lead us to become the development bank with the widest coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. CAF took an important step 18 months ago to establish its Regional Office for the Caribbean, based in Trinidad and Tobago, with the aim of consolidating its development assistance to the Caribbean, particularly in support of climate action, water, energy, and food security, sustainable tourism, modernization of infrastructure and digital transformation, among other sectors. Shortly after, CAF integrated the Caribbean into its official trademark and logo, which is now the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

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    On International Women’s Day, UNFPA is supporting climate-affected women in Fiji for resilience building
    Circular EconomyMarch 18, 2024

    On International Women’s Day, UNFPA is supporting climate-affected women in Fiji for resilience building

    Photo: UNFPA. Retrieved from reliefweb.int As the world comes together to celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific is assisting Fiji Northern Division Commissioner’s Office and communities in supporting rural women and girls on the island of Vanua Levu, including those affected by climate crises, to reach their full economic potential and build back better. In line with the global theme for this year’s IWD, ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress’, UNFPA Pacific is supporting the local government and the rural communities in Vanua Levu, by providing sewing machines, brush cutters, gum boots, refrigerators and other items to women and young people for their economic empowerment, strengthening their capacity to learn, earn, and lead. This initiative, under UNFPA’s Multi-Country Programme (2023-2027) for 14 Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) including Fiji, employs an integrated approach to ‘community resilience’ building by incorporating women’s economic empowerment as part of enhancing climate crisis-prone communities’ preparedness and response capacity. Ever since the island of Vanua Levu was hit hard by the consecutive large-scale Tropical Cyclones Yasa and Ana in 2020-2021, UNFPA Pacific has been collaborating closely with the Northern Division Commissioner’s Office, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and other partners to support vulnerable villages, especially women and youth.

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    Transforming Lives and Health Care: The Rise of Māori Representation in Taranaki’s Health Workforce
    Circular EconomyMarch 1, 2024

    Transforming Lives and Health Care: The Rise of Māori Representation in Taranaki’s Health Workforce

    Excerpt and Photo from bnnbreaking.com In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, a quiet revolution is reshaping the landscape of healthcare. At the Taranaki District Health Board (DHB), an initiative spearheaded by the non-profit organization Why Ora is not only changing the face of the health workforce but also the lives of many Māori individuals. From a modest beginning over a decade ago, this initiative has seen the proportion of Māori in the DHB’s workforce jump from 6 percent to an impressive 10 percent, a testament to a decade of dedicated effort and cultural integration. The journey began with a vision to address the underrepresentation of Māori in the health sector, recognizing the vital role that cultural understanding and diversity play in delivering effective healthcare. Why Ora’s initiative was not just about numbers; it was about bringing meaningful change to the community and the healthcare system. By focusing on education, training, and support, the organization has paved the way for many Māori individuals to enter and thrive in the health workforce. The story of one recent recruit, featured by Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin, underscores the personal and professional transformation that has become a hallmark of this initiative.

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    Cesspools to solutions: Initiative targets Pacific islands’ wastewater woes
    Circular EconomyMarch 1, 2024

    Cesspools to solutions: Initiative targets Pacific islands’ wastewater woes

    Excerpt and Photo from hawaii.edu A notable challenge for island water resources is wastewater management, often reliant on inadequate cesspools. In Hawaiʻi, the 83,000 cesspools across the state are estimated to leak 52 million gallons of untreated wastewater daily into the environment, endangering aquifers and coastal areas. To address this issue, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s [Water Resources Research Center](https://www.wrrc.hawaii.edu/) and [College of Engineering](https://www.eng.hawaii.edu/) will work with a team from several other universities and organizations to develop wastewater management technologies tailored to island environments. The project earned a $650,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is [one of 15 projects nationwide selected for theNSFConvergence Accelerator program](https://new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator/updates/nsf-invests-advance-equitable-water-solutions) to develop innovative technologies and solutions to improve U.S. freshwater systems. “Treated wastewater creates a new source of clean water for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and firefighting, significantly reducing pressure on freshwater supply and contributing to a more sustainable water future,” said Zhiyue Wang, project co-principal investigator and assistant professor from the [Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering](http://www.cee.hawaii.edu/) and Water Resources Research Center.

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    To plan a sustainable future for seafood access in small island developing states, researchers highlight solutions hiding in plain sight
    Circular EconomyFebruary 26, 2024

    To plan a sustainable future for seafood access in small island developing states, researchers highlight solutions hiding in plain sight

    In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the small island developing state of Kiribati is a collection of 33 far-flung tropical islands that are home to more than 126,000 people. Kiribati depends on seafood as a cornerstone of local food systems, but the nation’s marine resources are increasingly threatened by climate change and other environmental, social, and economic threats. Other nations around the world face similar issues. So, to better understand how fisheries-based food systems might respond to change, researchers took a deeper look at the strategies that people in Kiribati currently use to access seafood. The research team’s findings, published in [Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2305424121), share lessons from Kiribati, including how different strategies impact local diets, and how successful strategies could potentially be bolstered in the face of growing challenges. UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Katherine Seto led the study, which used machine learning to analyze data from a nationally representative household income and expenditure study and a village resource survey. She says the study’s focus on understanding current pathways to seafood access lays an important foundation for efforts to ensure stable and sustainable food systems into the future.

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    Six months after the Maui fires, an uncertain economy for the island
    Circular EconomyFebruary 13, 2024

    Six months after the Maui fires, an uncertain economy for the island

    Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice for NPR. Retrieved from npr.org It was six months ago that deadly wildfires swept through Lahaina, killing 100 people and destroying the historic town, [as well as homes](https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2023/08/18/1194381656/kula-upcountry-fire-lahaina-maui-wildfires-death-toll-hawaii)in central Maui. In the immediate aftermath of the fires, officials discouraged all non-essential travel to West Maui, where Lahaina is located. And visitor arrivals for the whole island dropped precipitously – in August they were down [almost 58%](https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/blog/23-50/) from August the previous year.

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