Sustainability for the short and long-term durability of the natural environment has long been considered a challenge. In our modern socio-cultural context however, it is vital that this challenge is met with adequate and efficient solutions. LEMCO’s sustainable solutions are in the form of community development, solar, water and waste.
Community development is facilitated throughout all LEMCO projects. We acknowledge that community members must collectively interact with us to create resolutions to common issues. We encourage this interaction through a participatory management process and combating threats to community development by ensuring the 25% shareholding of land and subsequent funds. We ensure that the integrity of indigenous land and their communities is not diminished but improved by the sustainable development project.
LEMCO recognises the benefits that solar can provide to a developing economy. In facilitating a switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies, there are a number of economic, political and environmental incentives for developing nations. We are able to provide solar as part of our sustainable development projects, which can then be used as an energy source and also in powering water pumping systems.
Water is an important part of the agricultural development process. LEMCO acknowledges that water scarcity is an issue which needs to be combatted as part of our sustainable ingenuities. Initiatives such as ‘The Pacific Plan’ have resulted in the spread of clean water throughout nations, and will be used as best practice models for development.
Waste is both a problem and solution for sustainability within LEMCO’s development projects. We acknowledge that rubbish and waste is a global problem, with organic waste from animals and plants being a large consideration in developing countries. Our initiatives will ask “How do we capture and utilise these resources?” rather than “How do we get rid of the waste?”. LEMCO will educate indigenous communities on the resource that is composting, to encourage sustainable waste management and its role in agriculture.
LEMCO acknowledges the UN definition of Community Development, as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” We encourage this approach throughout our projects, together with our sustainable development initiatives, with the over-arching aim of creating self-sustaining economies.
By initiating a participatory management process within our projects, we are able to work closely with the local indigenous community to plan and manage sustainable development projects. This process generates both long-term agricultural practices and develops community interaction for indigenous peoples. Conflict management is monitored through the approach as the indigenous community is playing a leading role in their own development, hence external tensions and pressures are minimised.
The recent rush for the acquisition of land which was driven by the globalisation of agricultural production, the pursuit of food security and energy and biofuel investments, has typically had a negative effect on indigenous communities. These communities have lost access to land which is rightfully theirs as a result of discrimination, marginalisation and a lack of acknowledgement of land tenure.
LEMCO however, maintains community development at the forefront of our activities in developing nations. We combat the threats to community development by ensuring that indigenous communities remain 25% shareholders in the land and by equitably giving them their 25% share of revenue. In this manner, they are actively involved in being a part of the solution to sustainable development in developing nations. Due to our sustainable nature, we are able to cultivate an environment whereby indigenous communities can generate large-scale production from plantations in a manner which sustainably meets the demand of the export market and their own food security needs. LEMCO works together with these communities, ensuring the maintenance of the integrity of ancestral lands is a priority for community development.
A homestay refers to the practice of a holiday or other period of time spent abroad, residing in a dwelling belonging to that of a local community or family. The homestay initiative can assist in developing community based tourism ventures for developing nations.
LEMCO has considered homestays as part of the operations of community based tourism. We know that the establishment of a formal homestay network is one of the best ways to improve the livelihoods of community members. This will lead us to creating a certification process that would include a standard set of required criteria for hosts to achieve. We have considered that many individuals within the local communities of developing nations will not be able to meet this criterion initially, hence in the best interest of the developing regions tourism activities, a funding mechanism will be implemented. Such a mechanism will assist local people in upgrading their homes so that they are suitable to host tourists.
This model will ensure that homestay operators will be held accountable to guarantee that the best outcome is achieved for the community based tourism operative. Homestays assure the tourists that they will experience an authentic community environment, as they are essentially being assimilated into the lives of the locals. Hosts will be accountable for providing tourists with adequate food and shelter. Additionally, depending on a host’s level of participation within the community based tourism initiatives, they may also be involved in handicraft development, cultural presentations and sightseeing tours, amongst other things.
Homestays are a valuable initiative when it comes to driving community based tourism, increased visitation and the retainment of a thriving indigenous culture.
Energy provided by the sun is solar energy. Solar electricity production is made possible by the solar radiation. Solar produces clean energy and has the potential to combat development obstacles for the Pacific Islands.
The incentives for Pacific Island nations encompass economic, political and environmental reasoning in switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies. Not only do they have considerable potential to generate solar energy due to their vast exposure to sunlight, but they have also expressed a determination to meet their renewable energy goals. This includes the ambition to be a leading example of feasible emission reduction to developed and developing nations globally.
Currently in Melanesian countries, such as Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, electricity can be accessed by less than 20% of the population. However, since 2008, interest in solar has gained interest, with targeted installations in remote rural areas, funded by donors.
Additionally, solar can be utilised to power water pumping systems. These systems are then able to provide clean drinking water. The coupling of extensive solar energy resources and groundwater supplies in Pacific Island Countries, leads to the ability to afford clean and portable water supplies to remote communities. This is fundamental in achieving goal number six of the United Nation’s seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, to provide clean drinking water and sanitation to all.
Conclusively, there is widespread worldwide curiosity in utilising solar to provide renewable energy and also to use Solar Photo voltaic technology for water pumping. The Pacific Islands are in a unique position to utilise their ample supply of solar energy supply to generate sustainable solutions.
Water is an essential element in all facets of human life. Not only is it a necessary part of the primary human diet on its own, but it is also required to be able to produce agricultural resources. Since the industrial revolution, it has played an increased role in industrial practices, such as construction and even transport. Combine this with the rapidly growing human population and the result is incredible strain on Earth’s finite water supply.
Hence, water scarcity is a problem for many regions of the world. Access to clean drinking water is particularly problematic in the Pacific Islands due to their small size, vulnerability, fragility and limited resources. Whilst it must also be considered that in future, climate change impacts will occur through water, this change will obviously impact water resources, hence, the way water is managed will also effect the climate.
‘The Pacific Plan’ was established in 2005 and recognised by leaders of the region. In 2006, the Pacific Regional Action Plan on Sustainable Water Management (RAP), was developed as part of the plan, in acknowledgement of water sanitation and hygiene challenges. Since this, notable improvements have been seen in the spread of clean water throughout these nations.
This is particularly important and stimulating for agriculture in the region as it then allows for particular harvesting practices to be conducted, this in turn stimulates further revenue into the area, which can then be filtered back into improving access to clean water.
Rubbish and waste is a global problem; however, it has the potential to be a considerable challenge for Pacific Island Countries. It is vital for waste to be targeted through improved solid waste management in order for sustainable development to be achieved.
The key for these developing nations is educating locals regarding the resources that are their rubbish. Essentially, ‘waste’ can be utilised, meaning that the way solid waste management is approached, changes drastically. Instead of asking the question “How do we get rid of the waste?”, it will be asked “How do we capture and utilise these resources?”. Such an approach has the potential to reduce the costs to governments, business and the public significantly.
Organic waste from animals and plants can make up over two thirds of the waste stream, however this should not be considered waste in the Pacific Islands as they typically have poor soil quality, hence it is valuable as fertiliser. To minimise organic waste, local communities need to be educated on the importance of processing organic wastes in compost heaps. This can be done through the introduction of Banana Circles or Commercial Scale Composting. Both initiatives invite communities to engage in adding to their daily practices such as sweeping or raking leaves, and disposing of these into these gathering systems. Both Banana Circles and large scale composting encourage the giving back of natural nutrients to their source in order to improve soil quality and minimise wastage.