Lessons from dam-induced resettlement for climate adaptation in atoll nations

This study draws on lessons from dam-induced involuntary resettlement to inform domestic relocation strategies in atoll nations confronting territorial loss due to climate change. Countries such as the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and the Maldives face progressive territorial loss from sea-level rise, making internal relocation to reclaimed land or artificial islands an increasingly critical adaptation measure. Dam construction projects worldwide have accumulated substantial experience regarding compensation principles, community participation, livelihood restoration, intergenerational disparities, and long-term monitoring. Comparative analysis reveals that both dam-induced resettlement and climate-driven relocation in atoll nations share the fundamental characteristic of involuntary displacement, accompanied by common challenges including employment opportunities, attachment to original land, community maintenance, livelihood transition, and educational opportunities. However, atoll nation relocations face unique constraints: the gradual, long-term progression of sea-level rise; complex customary land tenure systems; and unclear compensation funding mechanisms in the absence of direct project beneficiaries. The findings indicate that successful relocation requires clear institutional responsibility, early and meaningful community participation, redesigned compensation frameworks, diversified livelihood strategies encompassing tourism and digital sectors, and multi-stage monitoring systems. Furthermore, the analysis underscores the necessity of conceptualizing relocation not merely as infrastructure development but as a comprehensive social reconstruction project centered on cultural continuity and human dignity. The study concludes that creative application of dam resettlement lessons can contribute to the formulation of equitable and sustainable relocation policies in atoll nations. This research contributes to the broader scientific understanding of climate-induced migration by demonstrating how development-induced displacement frameworks can be adapted to address slow-onset environmental challenges, offering practical policy guidance for vulnerable island communities worldwide.