Fiji Focuses on Land and Maritme Sector

Transport is one of the fastest growing carbon emitting sectors in Fiji. Speciafically in the land and maritime sectors.

While speaking during the second day of the Pacific Island Transport forum yesterday, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Deputy Policy and Planning Lui Naisara said Fiji is taking the leading role in climate change but there is still a need to address decarbonisation.

The forum was held at the University of the South Pacific Japan ICT Centre, Laucala Bay Campus. Mr Naisara said by the end of the forum, participants will relook at how to find solutions that are appropriate, safe and accessible for not only the people but also the investors.

“In Fiji the focus will be on the land and maritime sector and how best to make use of the energy sector to help decrease carbon emission,” he said.

“We have a diverse group of participants at the end of this forum we will look at how best to take what we’ve learnt into practice.” Mr Naisara added plans are underway to introduce electric transportation in Fiji.

“We are looking at electric vehicles, at whether we have the right infrastructure and what we need to get it ready,” he said.

“The technology is out there in the world but it is a matter of bringing that right infrastructure. “We need electrical vehicle and charging stations and currently we are working with Global Green Growth Institute to do a study on how best we could execute this approach to introduce electric vehicle to Fiji.”

Mr Naisara said for the maritime sector they are collaborating with the South Pacific Commission to formulate Fiji’s energy efficiency index. “This is looking at how government vessels would use less fuel with the use of solar panels,” he said.

“Through these discussions we can implement transport policies taking into account the need for everybody to be inclusive, the private sector, civil society, partners and also government.

“For Fiji, it is imbedded in our Constitution so sharing ideas on how best we will move forward to meeting our goals.”

Photo: Ministry of Infrastruture and Transport Participants during the Pacific Transport Forum at the USP Japan ICT centre at Laucala Campus on November 9, 2018.