By 2030, Solomon Islands will integrate biodiversity safeguards and ecosystem-based adaptation into national and provincial climate change and disaster risk management policies and plans. Priority actions will protect and restore mangroves, coral reefs and watersheds, strengthen the resilience of coastal and island communities, and support climate-resilient livelihoods. Implementation will involve customary landowners and local communities, monitor biodiversity benefits, and ensure that adaptation and mitigation measures avoid harm to biodiversity and ecosystems.

The main policy measures and actions proposed for Solomon Islands include:

• Integrate biodiversity into planning: Incorporate biodiversity safeguards and ecosystem-based adaptation into national and provincial climate change, disaster risk management and development policies and plans.
• Identify priority ecosystems and communities: Assess climate risks and prioritise vulnerable mangroves, coral reefs, watersheds and communities for protection, restoration and adaptation.
• Implement ecosystem-based adaptation: Restore mangroves and coastal vegetation, protect reefs and strengthen watershed management to reduce erosion, flooding and coastal vulnerability.
• Support resilient livelihoods: Promote sustainable fisheries, agroforestry and other locally appropriate livelihoods that strengthen community resilience while conserving biodiversity.
• Apply environmental safeguards: Screen adaptation and mitigation projects for biodiversity impacts, assess alternatives and apply measures to prevent ecosystem damage.
• Strengthen community participation: Involve customary landowners, women, youth and provincial authorities in planning and implementation, drawing on traditional knowledge alongside scientific evidence.
• Monitor outcomes and mobilise support: Track biodiversity and resilience benefits, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and secure funding, technical assistance and training for implementation.

Through national consultation and situations.

This national target contributes to GBF Goal A by protecting ecosystem integrity and strengthening the resilience of mangroves, coral reefs and watersheds. It also supports GBF Goal B by maintaining ecosystem services that communities depend on, including coastal protection, clean water, food security and sustainable livelihoods.

It addresses the following aspects of GBF Target 8:

• Minimising climate change impacts on biodiversity through integration of biodiversity considerations into national and provincial climate and disaster planning.
• Increasing biodiversity resilience through ecosystem protection, restoration and ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Reducing disaster risks through healthy mangroves, reefs, watersheds and coastal vegetation.
• Minimising negative and supporting positive biodiversity impacts of climate action by applying safeguards to adaptation and mitigation measures and monitoring biodiversity benefits.

Community participation and traditional knowledge will support locally appropriate implementation. Ocean acidification is not explicitly addressed in the current wording; including it would strengthen coverage of Target 8, particularly for coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

Proposed non-state commitments towards this national target include:
- Customary landowners and communities: Protect and restore mangroves, reefs and watersheds; participate in local adaptation planning; and contribute traditional knowledge.
- NGOs and conservation organisations: Support ecosystem-based adaptation, community conservation, restoration and monitoring of biodiversity and resilience benefits.
- Businesses and industry: Integrate biodiversity safeguards into climate-related investments and support sustainable tourism, fisheries, agroforestry and other resilient livelihoods.
- Research and academic institutions: Assess ecosystem vulnerability, identify suitable adaptation measures and monitor their effectiveness.
- Churches, women’s and youth groups: Promote awareness, inclusive participation and community-led restoration and disaster preparedness.
- Development partners and philanthropic organisations: Provide funding, technical assistance and training for ecosystem-based adaptation and biodiversity safeguards.
These are proposed contributions and should be recorded as confirmed commitments once the relevant actors formally endorse them.

Financial resources: Sustained access to climate and biodiversity finance for mangrove, reef and watershed protection, restoration and resilient livelihoods.
Technical assistance: Expertise in ecosystem-based adaptation, climate risk assessment, restoration and biodiversity safeguards for adaptation and mitigation projects.
Capacity building: Training for national and provincial officers, customary landowners and communities in integrated planning, implementation and monitoring.
Data and monitoring tools: Ecosystem baselines, climate vulnerability assessments and indicators to measure biodiversity benefits and community resilience.
Institutional coordination: Stronger cooperation among environment, climate change, disaster management and relevant sector agencies and provincial governments.
Community partnerships: Resources for inclusive participation, incorporation of traditional knowledge and locally led adaptation, including women and youth.