Objectives

PACPATH objective is to develop a common vision for transdisciplinary research on ocean sustainability in the complex, multi-scaled and multi-level social-ecological systems of the large ocean states of the South Pacific, Fiji and New Caledonia

• Goal 1: Explore how the local understanding of sustainability align with the global expression of sustainability in the form of SDGs, particularly goal 14. What does this mean for the top-down implementation of the SDGs in large ocean states? What does this mean for the local efforts to achieve a sustainable living at the coast?
• Goal 2: Explore how coastal communities see they see their future in the place in which they currently live. What do you see as a perceived threat and uncertainties for their way of live? How do they perceive and plan the future for their children, the next generation, especially given the impact of climate and environmental change?
• Goal 3: Identify and map organisations and institutions that have an interest and responsibility for supporting the achievement of the SDGs, and the sustainability of communities.
• Goal 4: Serve as an umbrella forum for hosting transdisciplinary workshops regarding ocean research and services, and create a new relationship between stakeholders (organisations and individuals) at different levels of the large ocean states.

The PACPATH Science-Society Council (SSC) decided on three topical working priorities along with consequences on ecosystems and inhabitants:

1. Ocean temperatures and Marine Heat Waves
2. Sea Level Rise
3. Erosion

Sea level rise, combine with wave climate, tropical cyclones and other oceanic events, as well as land subsidence and local land and coast transformations, can lead to coastal erosion with major damage to infrastructures, livelihood and cultural assets. Similarly, marine heat waves, ocean acidification and deoxygenation impact corals, fish and other marine ecosystems with major downstream consequences that include economy, food security and health. All effects and consequences are projected to increase substantially in amplitude and frequency with climate change, reaching thresholds that exceed those of living organisms or infrastructure resistance. Adaptation in unavoidable and it is essential to build a broad and common vision with an integrative ensemble of aspects and long term objectives: the “sustainability pathways”.

Other SDG targets, eg, reducing marine pollution and improving marine conservation will integrate the comprehensive analysis under the co-benefits to alleviate the impacts of climate change.