World-first parametric protection for South Pacific coral reef system

A new parametric insurance policy that will help protect the coral reef system of the South Pacific Ocean’s volcano-formed Lau Group of islands has been put in place by WTW. Under the policy, Fiji’s island communities will benefit from payouts of up to $450,000 for reef restoration and community assistance if cyclones hit.

The Lau islands, located on the eastern side of the Fiji archipelago, comprise sixty islands and islets over 114,000km of ocean and are one of the most vulnerable and isolated places on Earth. WTW said sea level rise, ocean warming, acidification and the increasing frequency of tropical cyclones threaten coral reefs and the livelihoods of the indigenous people of Lau that depend on the reef ecosystem as a source of food and income.

Supported by BHP through social investment funds, WTW worked with Fiji’s Vatuvara Foundation (VVF), the policyholder of the insurance programme, to create a product tailored for a sub-set of the Lau islands. The policy is provided by development insurer Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC).

WTW said: “The programme will allow payouts to be deployed at the most critical time to help them withstand the adverse impacts of cyclones and effectively manage natural resources to ensure the resilience of the ecosystems themselves.”

Katy Miller, director, VVF, said: “We are thankful that the innovative parametric policy will allow for the prompt access to funds following a destructive cyclone event to identify reef damage and assist reef recovery with a community-led team in Northern Lau. Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events is expected in the area, and protecting natural ecosystems in the Lau Group is crucial to build long-term community resilience to anthropogenic threats including climate change.”

In addition to enabling VVF-led rapid reef response activities such as reattaching broken corals and debris clean-up, the insurance payouts will provide community assistance activities that will alleviate food and water security concerns caused by storm damage. These activities will help prevent the overharvesting and further degradation of Lau’s coral reef system during a community’s recovery from a cyclone and enhance both community and reef resilience.

Sarah Conway, director and ecosystem resilience lead, WTW, said: “We are grateful to BHP for supporting the design and implementation of the first coral reef insurance programme in Fiji. Building on lessons learned from our involvement with similar initiatives in other countries, this programme provides an exciting opportunity to innovate beyond rapid reef response to also include community assistance, enhancing the resilience of the ecosystem and those who depend on it.”

Ashley Preston, head of climate resilience, BHP, said: “BHP is funding an innovative parametric insurance product, which aims to support the conservation of coral reefs and surrounding local communities in Fiji’s northern Lau Group, and build the knowledge base for how similar financial products could be used to improve climate resilience. We are pleased to work with WTW and Vatuvara Foundation on this project, which supports BHP’s commitments to action on climate, conservation and empowering communities.”

Initial coverage will include Vatuvara Island, which is a protected natural reserve, Yacata, where the local community resides, and Kaibu, the Vatuvara Private Islands Resort. Further sites in the Lau Seascape may be added in future years.

PCRIC CEO Aholotu Palu said: “PCRIC is very pleased to demonstrate its commitment to serve non-sovereign entities with innovative parametric insurance products, in line with PCRIC’s mission to help the island communities of the Pacific to better prepare, structure and manage finances to foster disaster resilience and ensure rapid access to funds; the work of the Vatuvara Foundation, both in reef conservation and in local community empowerment, is recognised by the government of Fiji as being in the national interest and consistent with development priorities, particularly the Blue Pacific Strategy, as well as commitments to climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.”