The Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 1st - 3rd July, 2026

Earth Sciences NZ and SPC

Brief overview

Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) is a public research organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, formed through the merger of NIWA and GNS Science. ESNZ delivers nationally and internationally significant research and services across weather and hazard forecasting, climate modelling, seismic monitoring, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon uptake by forests and oceans, ocean and atmospheric science, and natural resource systems. By integrating environmental observations, advanced modelling, and emerging technologies, ESNZ supports evidence based decision making for governments, communities, and industries, helping to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards across New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.

Your organisation’s goals

Earth Sciences NZ delivers a comprehensive suite of climate and environmental services that support climate adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable environmental management. Core capabilities include high resolution climate reanalysis, improving understanding of past and present climate variability to inform risk assessment and adaptation planning. Through the CarbonWatch programme, ESNZ combines atmospheric measurements with advanced modelling to quantify sources and sinks of carbon dioxide and methane at urban, regional, and national scales. Our atmospheric measurement capability can be used to quantify facility scale emissions of methane from farms, wastewater treatment plants, and landfills.

ESNZ also leads innovation in emissions monitoring through FarmAI, which integrates on farm sensors, remote sensing, and machine learning to estimate methane emissions at farm scale in near real time, supporting low emissions agriculture. These services are complemented by long term environmental monitoring networks spanning weather, atmospheric composition, freshwater and ocean systems, and natural hazards.

In addition, ESNZ contributes to international satellite missions such as MethaneSAT, NASA’s OCO-2 and 3, (add others) strengthening global greenhouse gas monitoring and validation. Together, these integrated services provide robust, scalable, and science based information to support climate policy, reporting, and environmental stewardship in New Zealand and the Pacific.

Describe your innovation

ESNZ has developed an innovative capability to independently estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using a combination of satellite based observations and targeted ground based atmospheric measurements. This “top down” approach, demonstrated in Aotearoa New Zealand through CarbonWatch, CarbonWatch-Urban, MethaneSAT, and FarmAI, enables emissions to be quantified directly from measured changes in atmospheric composition rather than relying solely on inventory based (bottom up) methods.

We propose extending this capability across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) through close collaboration with regional partners. For PICTs, access to independent, observation based emissions information would directly support national reporting, evidence based policy development, and participation in international climate mechanisms. At the same time, expanding atmospheric measurements across the Pacific would improve scientific understanding of oceanic carbon uptake, a globally significant but poorly constrained component of the carbon cycle.

The innovation involves establishing a strategically designed network of ground based atmospheric observations across selected Pacific islands to calibrate and validate satellite data, which can then be scaled regionally using advanced modelling and machine learning techniques. To ensure technical feasibility, partner alignment, and long term value, ESNZ proposes a staged development pathway prior to full implementation. Initial activities include a trial deployment of a satellite validation instrument at a single representative site, alongside a desktop feasibility study to co develop the regional measurement strategy through engagement with Pacific partners and modelling studies. This staged approach reduces implementation risk, ensures the system is fit for purpose, and provides a robust foundation for scalable and sustainable regional deployment.

How is this solution is innovative?

This solution is highly innovative in its application of next generation satellite observations, targeted ground based measurements, and machine learning to deliver independent greenhouse gas emissions estimates in regions traditionally considered observationally challenging.

While top down atmospheric approaches are increasingly applied over well instrumented land areas, they have remained largely inaccessible to oceanic and small island regions such as the Pacific. Satellite measurements of GHGs over the ocean rely on specialised “glint mode” observations, which enhance signal strength using reflected sunlight but introduce additional uncertainty. ESNZ’s innovation lies in systematically reducing this uncertainty by integrating strategically located ground based measurements to validate and correct satellite data. By combining these corrected satellite observations with local measurements and modelling, the system delivers a hierarchical, multi scale emissions monitoring framework spanning individual islands to the wider Pacific region. The staged development approach further differentiates this solution, ensuring that observing strategies are technically robust, regionally relevant, and scalable before major investment.

Together, these elements represent a step change in the ability of PICTs to access high quality, independent, and policy relevant climate information.

How can the innovation be replicated and scaled up in other PICTs?

The innovation can be efficiently replicated and scaled across PICTs through a regional, partnership based approach. Rather than deploying costly observation infrastructure in every country, a limited number of strategically selected ground based measurement sites can be established to represent key island types, land uses, and climatic regimes. These sites anchor satellite observations, enabling emissions estimates to be scaled across the wider Pacific using modelling and machine learning techniques.

Replication will be supported through institutional partnerships with Pacific governments, regional organisations, and universities, ensuring local ownership and long term sustainability. The staged development pathway allows measurement strategies to be refined collaboratively before expansion, reducing technical and institutional risk.

Financing models may combine international climate finance, development assistance, and in kind contributions, supported by shared access to satellite data and regional infrastructure.

Capacity building is central to scaling, with targeted training in instrument operation, data analysis, and interpretation enabling Pacific partners to directly use emissions information for national reporting, planning, and climate policy.

How is the solution cost‑effective and affordable in the context of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)?

At the scale of individual nations, fully independent greenhouse gas monitoring systems can be cost prohibitive. However, when implemented as a coordinated regional system using a staged deployment model, this solution becomes both cost effective and affordable for PICTs. By maximising the use of freely available or internationally funded satellite data, investments are focused on a small number of high value, strategically located ground based measurement sites.

Crucially, information gained from initial sites benefits the wider region. Measurements in one country improve emissions estimates and atmospheric understanding applicable to neighbouring regions, reducing duplication while increasing scientific value. The staged approach ensures that resources are directed only toward measurement configurations that demonstrably deliver value.

For end users such as local governments and communities, the system provides accessible, policy relevant information without requiring extensive national infrastructure. Through regional cooperation and incremental deployment, PICTs gain access to high quality emissions information that would otherwise be unattainable, supporting climate accountability and resilience in an affordable and sustainable manner.

Locations (country, island, or community) where this solution has been piloted and/or implemented

New Zealand, in various components, not in its entirety as in this proposal

Learn more:

https://earthsciences.nz/

https://gem.spc.int/projects/pacific-risk-tools-for-resilience-bridge-phase-2-partner-2

https://niwa.co.nz/pacific/pacific-hazards/pacific-risk-tool-resilience-partner

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute

About

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute (AVOI) is a science-led, community-driven initiative advancing marine restoration, climate resilience and sustainable blue economy development in Vanuatu. Through its Havannah Harbour pilot, AVOI integrates Reef Ball deployment, artificial reef design, drone-enabled monitoring and workforce training via the Vanuatu Ocean Rangers. The model combines innovation and local stewardship to restore ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity and support climate adaptation. By linking technology, community engagement and practical delivery, AVOI is developing a scalable national framework that helps translate ocean policy into measurable outcomes, creating jobs, building local capability and supporting long-term environmental resilience across island communities.

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute (AVOI) delivers integrated, science-led services focused on marine restoration, climate resilience and sustainable environmental management. Its core services include the design and deployment of Reef Ball artificial reef systems and managed vessel reefs to restore degraded marine habitats, enhance biodiversity and support fisheries recovery. AVOI also provides drone-enabled monitoring and survey services, using autonomous and manned systems to track climate impacts, support conservation planning and improve data-driven decision-making across marine and coastal environments.

A central component is the development of the Vanuatu Ocean Rangers program, which builds local workforce capability in restoration, monitoring, conservation and environmental stewardship. AVOI also supports Marine Protected Area (MPA) design, ecological baseline assessments and long-term monitoring frameworks aligned with national ocean policy objectives.

Through community engagement, eco-tourism integration and applied innovation, AVOI connects environmental protection with economic opportunity. Its Havannah Harbour pilot serves as a scalable model to deliver practical climate adaptation, strengthen ecosystem resilience and enable coordinated, whole-of-government environmental outcomes across Vanuatu.

The Innovation

One of AVOI’s key innovations is the integration of the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program with locally delivered marine restoration systems, including Reef Ball fabrication and deployment. This model combines workforce development, community engagement and practical restoration into a single, scalable framework designed for island environments.

Through structured Vanuatu Ocean Ranger Camps, over a 3 day period AVOI identifies and trains local Ni-Vanuatu participants in marine conservation, Scientific diving, restoration techniques, monitoring and stewardship. One aspect of the Rangers responsibilities is to support the fabrication and deployment of Reef Ball artificial reef systems using locally sourced materials and regional supply chains, significantly reducing costs and increasing local ownership. The approach enables degraded reef systems to be restored while simultaneously building in-country capability and employment pathways, guided by our National AVOI Play Book at its core.

This innovation directly addresses climate change by strengthening reef resilience, supporting fisheries recovery and enhancing coastal protection against storm surge and extreme weather events. It also improves ecosystem health, which is critical for food security and long-term adaptation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).

What makes this model particularly relevant for PICTs is its practicality and scalability. It does not rely on high-cost external inputs but instead builds local capacity, integrates customary stewardship and aligns with government policy frameworks. The system can be replicated across islands using a consistent training, deployment and governance approach.

Supported by drone-enabled monitoring and AI self learning data collection, AVOI’s model provides a cost-effective, community-led solution that connects restoration, climate resilience and sustainable economic opportunity in a way that is both locally grounded and nationally scalable.

How is this solution innovative?

AVOI’s solution is innovative because it integrates community workforce development, marine restoration and applied technology into a single, scalable delivery model tailored for island environments. Rather than treating conservation, employment and climate adaptation as separate challenges, AVOI combines them through the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program and locally delivered Reef Ball restoration systems. This creates a practical pathway where communities are directly trained and employed to restore and monitor their own marine ecosystems. The model also incorporates drone-enabled monitoring and emerging AI-supported survey systems to improve data collection, ecological tracking and rapid response capability, including in remote and disaster-affected areas. This blend of low-cost, locally sourced restoration methods with advanced monitoring technology allows for both accessibility and scientific rigour. What makes the approach particularly innovative is its focus on scalability and replication. By developing a standardised training, deployment and governance framework, AVOI provides a repeatable model based on a National AVOI Play book that can be adapted across Pacific Island Countries, helping translate policy into measurable, community-led climate and environmental outcomes.

How can the innovation be replicated and scaled up in other PICTs

AVOI’s model is designed for replication across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) through a structured, partnership-driven and capacity-focused approach. Following an initial two-year proof-of-concept in Vanuatu, AVOI will develop a refined National PICT Playbook outlining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work method statements (SWMS), delivered in both English and Bislama, with visual and pictorial elements to ensure accessibility across diverse communities.

Scaling will be enabled through institutional partnerships with government agencies, regional bodies, scientific partners such as UTS, and local stakeholders, supported by blended financing models including public-private partnerships, eco-tourism revenue streams and conservation funding.

A key component is the development of a simplified, citizen science-based survey framework focused on key indicator species. This approach lowers technical barriers, enabling participation from communities with varying levels of formal education while strengthening data collection and stewardship.

By combining local workforce training, accessible science, and standardised systems, AVOI creates a practical, low-cost model that can be adapted regionally, empowering communities while supporting climate resilience, biodiversity restoration and sustainable economic development across PICTs.

Is your solution cost‑effective and affordable in the context of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)?

AVOI’s solution is designed to be highly cost-effective and affordable for communities, local governments and small operators across PICTs. A core principle of the model is the use of locally available materials, including aggregates from regional quarries and, where appropriate, surplus or repurposed government materials. This significantly reduces construction and deployment costs for Reef Ball systems and associated infrastructure.

From an end-user perspective, the model lowers financial barriers by building local capability through the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger Camp Initiative and subsequent program, reducing reliance on external expertise and enabling communities to deliver and maintain restoration activities themselves. The integration of eco-tourism also creates revenue-generating opportunities that can help offset ongoing costs.

Affordability is further strengthened through the development of a streamlined cross-departmental approval pathway within the AVOI Playbook. By providing clear guidance on site selection, environmental considerations and standardised processes, local governments can reduce delays, duplication and administrative costs, enabling more efficient project delivery at scale.

Together, these elements create a low-cost, accessible and sustainable model that is practical for widespread adoption across PICTs.

Where is this being piloted?

AVOI’s solution is being piloted in Vanuatu, with Havannah Harbour (North-West Efate) identified as the primary proof-of-concept site, supported by a permanent operational and training hub at Lot 149, Lapita Estate. While over 1,000,000 Reef Balls have been deployed globally across more than 80 countries, this will be the first integrated deployment of this system in Vanuatu. The pilot combines initial baseline surveys across 12 regions using Reef Life Survey (RLS Methodology) prior to any deployments. Once 6 of the sites are selected for deployment we will deploy 50m x 10m of Reef Ball habitat restoration—designed as a 500+ year solution—, allowing us to. Continue to conduct 6 monthly replicated surveys in exactly the same 50m transects to demonstrate recruitment changes providing proof of concept. Together with the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program, which trains and employs local Ni-Vanuatu to deliver restoration, monitoring and stewardship, supported by drone-enabled surveying, community engagement and eco-tourism integration. The approach is intentionally holistic, linking marine restoration, climate resilience, workforce development, local supply chains and government coordination into a single, place-based model. The Havannah Harbour pilot will be used to refine systems, demonstrate measurable outcomes and establish a scalable framework for national and regional replication across PICTs, through the development of our AVOI National Playbook, helping guide replication across all our satellite sites. Initial training will be conducted through AVOI Headquarters in Havannah Harbour, with Ranger selection conducted through a multi-day conservation camp where participant will all leave with new knowledge and appreciation for the terrestrial and marine environment, and Ocean Rangers selected for employment within the AVOI team at the conclusion of the camps.