State of Environment and Conservation in the Pacific Islands: 2020 Regional Report

Pacific islands are hotspots of unique biodiversity. Our ancestral traditions are linked to nature. However, these traditions, the natural environment, and biodiversity are threatened by changing global and regional environmental pressures, ecological degradation, growing human populations, changing demands of our societies, and the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

The SOEC 2020 examines the status and trends of 31 regional environment indicators in 22 Pacific island countries and territories and updates the 2013 State of Conservation in Oceania assessment, focusing on the period 2015 – 2020.

This first state of the environment and conservation report for the Pacific islands region uses endorsed indicators to assess the status, trends, and data quality and availability for the Pacific environmental priorities defined by Pacific Leaders.

The information in the report presents the Pacific priorities for environmental management, data gaps and opportunities, and the ways in which Pacific environments and resources are changing. This regional view supports the development of sound policies, practices, and investments affecting Pacific island and ocean ecosystems as well as those who depend on them.