Fiji's climate policies lack funding mechanisms, official says

Fiji has developed a robust policy framework aimed at enhancing climate resilience through nature-based solutions, but the practical implementation faces significant obstacles.

According to Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Fiji's existing policies, such as the Climate Change Act, National Ocean Policy, and National Adaptation Plan, provide a solid foundation. The challenge, he stated, lies not in the policies themselves but in the systems governing project approval and funding.

Dr. Michael stressed the importance of integrating nature-based solutions, like mangrove restoration and riparian buffers, into government investment considerations alongside traditional infrastructure such as seawalls. He noted that these natural approaches need to transition from isolated projects to being embedded within government budgets, sector plans, and public investment assessments.

"The architecture is not the problem. It’s the processes that sit beneath it," Dr. Michael explained. This shift is crucial as Fiji continues to invest heavily in infrastructure to combat climate-related risks like flooding, highlighting the need for more efficient and effective mechanisms to fund and implement sustainable, nature-based strategies.

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The architecture is not the problem. It’s the processes that sit beneath it.