The work was carried out in support of the Kiribati Outer Islands Resilience and Adaptation Project, known as KOIRAP, led by the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs and funded through the World Bank-supported KOIRAP program. The project supports the Government of Kiribati’s efforts to strengthen climate resilience and improve understanding of coastal processes, flood exposure, and environmental change across the Line Islands.

Operating across the atolls of Kiritimati, Tabuaeran and Teraina, Fugro used its RAMMS® airborne LiDAR and imaging system to acquire high-resolution coastal and topographic data. The airborne survey was supported by extensive ground control activities, including survey control points, Global Navigation Satellite System observations, and tide gauge installations, helping ensure the accuracy and long-term value of the datasets.

The resulting Geo-data will provide a trusted foundation for future studies, coastal resilience programs, and evidence-based decision-making across Kiribati’s Line Islands. It will help government agencies and communities better understand coastal change, assess climate-related risks, and plan for the impacts of sea-level rise.

Mr. Manikaoti Timeon, Project Manager of the Kiribati Outer Island Resilience and Adaptation Project, said: “With the Government of Kiribati’s long-term aim to develop Kiritimati as a secondary economic hub to South Tarawa, we must have the necessary baseline data to ensure that our development takes adequate account of natural hazards and climate change, especially sea-level rise. The high accuracy of the LiDAR dataset collected by Fugro enables this, and will allow us to carry out a robust assessment to ensure resilience and adaptation are adequately accounted for.”

Fugro worked closely with MCIA, local stakeholders, and local personnel throughout the project, supporting field activities across the three islands and helping strengthen local technical capability through knowledge sharing.

Nina Levy, Fugro Service Line Manager, Geophysics & Hydrography Pacific, said: “Kiribati is on the frontline of climate change, where accurate Geo-data is essential for informed decisions about coastal resilience and future development. We are proud to support the Government of Kiribati with the high-quality data needed to better understand its coastal environment and plan with confidence.”