2026-09-02 –, Ran1
This lightning talk shares how the SHAPE-CAR project in Fiji uses open-source GIS tools to support community-led climate resilience planning, integrating participatory mapping, environmental monitoring, and spatial analysis to inform adaptation decisions in vulnerable island communities.
Small island communities face increasing climate risks including flooding, coastal erosion, and food insecurity. However, adaptation planning is often limited by a lack of accessible spatial data and tools at the community level. The SHAPE-CAR (Sustainable Health, Agriculture, Protection and Climate Action for Resilience) project in Fiji explores how open-source geospatial tools can support locally driven climate resilience planning.
This lightning talk presents how GIS has been integrated into community engagement and planning processes across several Fijian villages. Using tools such as QGIS, open satellite imagery, and participatory mapping approaches, the project supports hazard mapping, land suitability assessments for climate-smart agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Spatial analysis is combined with local knowledge to identify priority adaptation actions, including agroforestry planning, flood-risk awareness, and resource management.
The experience highlights how open-source GIS can bridge scientific data and community knowledge, enabling practical decision-making in resource-constrained contexts. The SHAPE-CAR approach demonstrates a replicable model for integrating geospatial tools into community-based climate adaptation initiatives across Small Island Developing States.
QGIS, OpenStreetMap, KoboToolbox (for mobile data collection), Open satellite imagery sources such as Sentinel-2. These tools support participatory mapping, spatial analysis, and environmental monitoring within the SHAPE-CAR project.
I make my conference contribution available under the CC BY 4.0 license. The conference contribution comprises the abstract, the text contribution for the conference proceedings, the presentation materials as well as the video recording and live transmission of the presentation:
Maloni Siga is a climate resilience practitioner and geospatial analyst based in Fiji. He currently serves as Project Manager at ADRA Fiji, where he leads community-based climate adaptation initiatives under the SHAPE-CAR project. His work focuses on integrating open-source GIS, community knowledge, and participatory planning to support climate resilience in Pacific Island communities. Maloni is also pursuing postgraduate research in geospatial science and climate change, exploring how spatial tools can support relocation planning and locally driven adaptation across Small Island Developing States.