Set in Tarawa, Kiribati, this decision simulation places learners in the role of Senior Policy Advisor to Minister Kiritian Tebano at the Ministry of Marine Resources (KMMR). Facing an irreversible 0.1°C sea surface temperature warming that has driven primary tuna stocks eastward out of Kiribati's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the state is hit with an ultimatum from an international commercial fishing fleet consortium: cut Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) access fees by 35% immediately or face total fleet relocation by January 1. With license fees accounting for 70% of state revenue ($137M baseline) and liquid treasury reserves holding under 60 days of civil service payroll ($18.5M), participants must navigate acute state liquidity constraints alongside a 60% collapse in coastal reef fish catches across outer atolls.
Grounding their analysis in the BANI Economic Resilience Framework (Brittleness, Anxiety, Non-linearity, Incomprehensibility), learners evaluate four mutually exclusive policy paths: granting fee concessions (Option A), issuing exploratory seabed mining permits in a marine protected area (Option B), executing an immediate unilateral domestic mariculture pivot (Option C), or adopting dynamic regional pool licensing under the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) combined with Green Climate Fund (GCF) co-financing (Option D).
The simulation leads participants through multi-source quantitative and qualitative data inspection, progressive diagnostic decision questions, a high-stakes AI roleplay where they defend their recommendation against direct executive stress-testing by Minister Tebano, and a written justification paper. Key teaching moments center on distinguishing non-linear climate tipping points from routine market volatility, evaluating operational timing lags, and structuring non-debt climate adaptation strategies under extreme fiscal pressure.
Learning objectives
- How to facilitate debriefs on non-linear climate disruptions versus routine commercial volatility using the BANI Economic Resilience Framework.
- How to guide learners through trade-off discrimination when balancing immediate liquid payroll constraints against multi-year development lags.
- How to highlight the strategic application of multilateral climate transition capital (GCF) and dynamic regional revenue pooling (PNA) to solve structural state brittleness.
About the authors
LiveCase Studio creates interactive, evidence-grounded simulation experiences designed to build strategic judgment, executive communication, and crisis leadership skills in complex environments.
LiveCase Studio
Educational design studio specializing in interactive, evidence-grounded decision simulations for executive education, strategic leadership, and public policy analysis.
Who is this for?
Mid-to-senior executives, public sector policy leaders, and postgraduate students in strategy, crisis management, environmental economics, or public administration. No prior fisheries experience required.