Today (21/4) a committee that will carry forward the work of advocating climate change in Fiji met to discuss how Fiji could contribute to reducing climate change impacts.
The objective of the climate change inception meeting was to reactivate the climate change country team. Acting Director for Environment Jope Davetanivalu said the team has been tasked to formulate a Climate Change Policy for Fiji.
Mr Davetanivalu said that in the past different agencies had their own programmes, but there was no specific body that overlooked climate change projects.
“When we look at climate change projects in Government ministries and in non-governmental organisations, they seem to be isolated from each other and there is no proper synergy in putting these projects together and be coordinated by a body,” Mr Davetanivalu said.
Meeting participants included representatives from various agencies including Government ministries. This was the first meeting in Fiji since the global summit on climate change in Copenhagen last year, which Fiji was part of.
Mr Davetanivalu added that the new committee will take on board climate change projects. This is in line with the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, which outlines the need to be environmentally sustainable.
Chief guest and Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Col Samuela Saumatua said Government fully supports the fight against climate change.
“We are happy that Government is committed to this as this is also one of the main points in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG goal number seven) and Government is committed to achieving this.”
Impacts of climate change have also been felt in Fiji with reports from coastal communities of rising sea levels, while other parts experience more rainfall at times and droughts.