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1. Introduction

Pacific island countries are on the frontlines of climate change due to their limited size and remote location. They often face particularly dangerous weather events - such as intense tropical cyclones, floods, and droughts – which are becoming more common due to increased climate variability. Rising temperatures will directly negatively impact the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Pacific islands, threatening the livelihood of many Pacific peoples. Perhaps most dramatically, rising sea-levels will inundate coasts, erode shorelines, and impact shallow coastal groundwater in many low-lying areas; this process already threatens the very existence of a number of Pacific island nations, with experts predicting that some will be fully gone within just a few years. 

Clearly, climate change poses a significant existential threat to Fiji’s national security, current and future development ambitions, economic and environmental stability, cultural practices, livelihoods, and overall human wellbeing. As a response to this particularly dire situation, the 2020 Fijian NDC is surprisingly weak in some areas, yet strong in others. 

Compared to the 2016 NDC, the main Mitigation Targets of the 2020 NDC remain the same: Fiji is still targeting only a 30% emission reduction by 2030, compared to “business as usual” target based on expected growth from 2013 levels, and an unambitious net-zero emissions target date of 2050. Fiji plans to hit these targets through two means; one third of the reduction will come from the implementation of the Green Growth Framework – a means to reduce greenhouse gas generation in the energy sector utilizing by internally available resources to transition to renewable production - while the remaining two thirds would require additional outside investment of USD $500 million. Additionally, Fiji has committed to enact a Climate Change Bill, and operationalize its National Adaptation Plan by incentivizing business partners to assist in achieving its goals. 

However, the 2021 Fijian NDC also includes new, important Adaptation Targets; these range from healthcare and infrastructure investment, to relocation of vulnerable communities and the improvement of early warning weather monitoring systems. This recognition of adaptation as a key part of Fiji’s national response to the climate crisis shows both that the Fijian government is making progress in taking the threat of climate change more seriously, and that the relative lack of global action have made the devastating outcomes of climate change much closer to reality than was previously hoped. 

2. Emission Analysis

Fiji has very low greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) compared to other countries; in total, Fiji contributes an estimated 0.006% to global GHG emissions. For the base year 2013 (selected by the Fijian government for their NDC submissions) Fiji produced 1500 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide. The most significant proportion of this total comes from the energy generation sector; as such, this sector is where Fiji’s main mitigation effort is focused, aiming to reduce emissions in the sector by 30% before 2030, compared to the BAU scenario. As an island nation, Fiji also relies heavily on maritime shipments, and targets a reduction of domestic emissions from that sector of 40% as well. 

3. Development Concerns

It is important to recognize that Fiji’s capacity to fight climate change is greatly limited due to economic constraints on the government, and on the people of Fiji. Climate change impacts and disaster events are driving up the cost of development in the Pacific, increasing investment uncertainty and further challenging efforts to eradicate poverty. For the Fijian Government and the Citizens of Fiji, it is clear that past experiences of disaster events, current development challenges, and future climate projections are incompatible with national priorities and aspirations. 

Fiji has taken significant action to reduce the impacts of climate change through actions to build resilience by taking into account climate and disaster risk considerations in development planning and implementation. However, in order to more effectively fight poverty and climate change concurrently, Fiji’s National Development Plan calls for ‘inclusive socio-economic development’ and ‘transformative strategic thrusts’. To further these commitments, a revised national policy on climate change is required. By focusing on common goals and actions which potentially satisfy multiple priority areas, the effectiveness of policy implementation and the efficiency and utility derived from activities and resources can be improved. 

4. Gender and Equity Analysis

Compared to the 2016 NDC, Fiji has progressed in ensuring that emission reductions are undertaken on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development. The previous NDC did not include any references to gender whatsoever, while the 2021 NDC claims to ensure equality in planning, and equality in impact. However, while surface-level consideration is given to gender, it fails to reach the level where there is equal involvement and participation (or “talanoa”) in planning sessions, and no effort is made to reach out to women particularly to take their experience and input into consideration. This is a significant oversight, as the NDCs present an opportunity to strengthen the integration of gender-responsive measures into countries’ plans to address the climate crisis. 

5. Indigenous Perspective

Unfortunately, both Fiji’s 2016 and 2021 NDCs contain no reference to indigenous peoples. Indigenous Fijians (or iTaukei) comprise roughly half of Fiji’s population, and own 86% of land, so this is a significant oversight. Notably, compared to the overall relatively urbanized Fijian population, 70% of iTaukei are farmers. By failing to actively consider the specific needs of this population, and failing to reach out and learn from their lived experiences, the Fijian government has neglected to adequately take into consideration the needs of these indigenous people. More heed must be given to the Pacific Islanders, and information should also be presented in all three official Fijian languages - including the traditional Fijian - for clearer understanding by all Fijian citizens.

6. Civil Society Analysis

Much like the considerations given to gender in the Fijian NDC, the needs of Civil Society are only included in a cursory manner. While the NDC references that NGOs were consulted among the categories of experts in NDC generation, it does not specify how, or to what extent those NGOs’ recommendations were implemented. Additionally, there are no specific provisions providing for the monitoring of government progress by NGOs, which must be rectified. 

7. Conclusion

While Fiji’s NDC has made significant progress in some areas, such as the inclusion of specific Adaptation Targets, there is still a lot of work left to be done. The Mitigation Targets are limited and unambitious, even for a nation without much capital to spend on green infrastructure. Gender, youth, and indigenous concerns are only given minimal consideration where absolutely required, and must be integrated more fully in the planning process; they must also be actively considered in predicting equitable outcomes, or else they face the prospect of continued oppression by omission. The challenge of combating poverty in a developing economy while also facing ecological degradation and worsening severe weather events is significant, but - with more effort and inclusive planning - the Fijian people and government are up to the task. 

8. References

https://www.britannica.com/place/Fiji-republic-Pacific-Ocean/People

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fijians