Solomon Islands

Sea level rise, which is worsened by insecure and limited land access and insufficient government and monetary support—are threatening the people of Walande, an Indigenous community in the Solomon Islands. Even after relocating from their island home to avoid climate change effects, the community remains at risk.

Until the mid-2010s, the residents of Walande lived on a small offshore island, repeatedly rebuilding after cyclones and storms. After severe “king” tides in 2009, the entire community moved to the mainland in search of safety.

Their experience shows the risks when government and international donors fail to properly support community-led relocation efforts. Residents largely funded and organized the move themselves, which has provided only temporary relief. Seawater now breaches seawalls at the new site, damaging traditional food sources. With limited funds, insecure land tenure, and no access to land further inland, some community members are once again considering moving to higher ground.

Women in Walande face distinct challenges due to the province’s patriarchal land tenure system, which limits their control over land. Some women reported being encouraged by community leaders to marry outside Walande as a way to adapt to climate pressures. Planned relocation itself is an adaptation measure of last resort that carries serious risks, making it essential that any relocation fully respect human rights, secure informed consent, and actively involve community members at every stage. New sites should allow relocated communities to maintain their economic, social, and cultural rights.

The government of the Solomon Islands is under international obligation to protect its indigenous communities from the threats posed by climate change, including upholding indigenous rights. The country established the 2022 Planned Relocation Guidelines, but until they are fully implemented, indigenous populations still remain vulnerable to the threats posed by rising sea levels. The government should continue to act in order to determine which areas of the country require the most support and increase funding to promote the safety of these communities.

However, even though international climate law requires wealthier nations to support poorer ones like the Solomon Islands, the average resident of the Solomon Islands received just $20 per year in foreign aid. Although some governments including Australia's have promised to support relocation efforts, large nations should continue to increase the assistance they provide to island nations, in order to protect the world's most marginalized communities.

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2. Solomon Islands: Rising seas force relocation. Human Rights Watch. (2025, March 17). https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/17/solomon-islands-rising-seas-force-relocation