Advancing just climate adaptation in the global South: socio-technical assistance for nature-based solutions in the Pacific

The authors study the literature of informal settlement upgrading and climate adaptation in the global South to conceptualize contemporary socio-technical assistance projects using nature-based solutions (NbS). Building upon selected case studies in small island developing states (SIDS) in the Asia Pacific region, the study draws lessons on how initiatives can address challenges such as power dynamics, limited funding and competing priorities. 

The authors examine these projects using justice as a lens that accounts for procedural, recognition and distributional dimensions. The findings reveal that, despite persistent barriers, there are mechanisms through which socio-technical assistance can contribute to justice in the implementation of NbS by creating new platforms for decision-making processes and relationships between residents, funders, local governments and academia.