Riechers M. auteur aut IRD Baumann L. auteur aut IRD Braun M. auteur aut IRD Ganachaud Alexandre auteur aut IRD Heeg P. auteur aut IRD Sabinot Catherine auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific Island Countries and Territories often shoulder an unequal burden of climate risks. To analyse pathways to sustainability, we conducted a leverage points analysis on the complex sustainability challenges facing the low-lying atoll Ouvéa in Kanaky New Caledonia (France). Leverage points are places within complex systems where interventions can lead to transformative change. Combining a literature review and qualitative interviews with regional, government, provincial, and local stakeholders, we contextualised eight leverage points: (1) expanding and improving coastal protection, (2) strengthening or creating monetary incentives, funding possibilities or forms of compensation to alleviate costs of climate change adaptation and sustainability measures, (3) conducting more research and monitoring, (4) strengthening environmental regulation and restrictions, (5) empowerment of women, youth, and local communities and increasing awareness of power imbalances to strengthen gender equity and social inclusion, (6) establishing new conservation management measures and improving existing ones, (7) increasing institutionalisation of environmental and climate change education, and (8) involving diverse knowledge systems and practices in research and management to strengthen participatory, transdisciplinary, and community-based initiatives. Our results emphasise the importance of acknowledging responsibilities across multiple scales, showing the non-transferability of some interventions due to perceived high costs and incompatibility with local culture. Illustrating dimensions of ocean equity in the context of Ouvéa, we discuss the importance of local values and knowledge systems to ensure fair distribution of costs and benefits in sustainability interventions. specialized Equity Marine social science Ocean Decade Oceania Pacific Island States and Territories Sustainable development goals NOUVELLE CALEDONIE PACIFIQUE ILES OUVEA 021 082 036 24 4 146 [15 ] [+ Correction, 2 p., vol. 25, art. 8, 2025] 2024 1436-3798 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010091378 10.1007/s10113-024-02290-9 1436-3798 [F B010091378] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010091378 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2024-10/010091378.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2024-10-23 2026-05-12 fdi:010091378 fre