Fiji urges a rapid, cross-cutting transformation of how science, policy and business work together to fight climate change
Fiji is calling for an urgent shift in the way science informs policy and how the private sector contributes to climate action, saying sustainability for Pacific nations is a matter of survival. The call came during the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on the Environment held in Nadi, where Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu warned that the region is already bearing the brunt of climate change as global emissions rise.
“For Fiji, sustainability is survival. Our fisheries, forests and oceans anchor our food, security, livelihood and identity. Yet we are under strain from over-exploitation, pollution and changing climates,” Bainivalu said, underscoring the need to turn insights into concrete action. She stressed that the dialogue’s outcomes will shape ministerial consultations and guide work at the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The event comes as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that the world is racing against time to limit warming. Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, Vice Chair of the IPCC, cautioned that chances of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius are slipping despite progress in climate policy and renewable energy, with greenhouse gas emissions at a record high.
Bainivalu noted that the dialogue is meant to translate ideas into action and to accelerate the adoption of clean, green technologies that bolster resilience and prosperity across the Asia-Pacific. In the broader Pacific context, Fiji has already been advancing its climate agenda through a series of national policies and international engagements. Fiji’s policy framework includes the Climate Change Act 2021, the National Adaptation Plan, the National Climate Change Policy 2018–2030, and the National Ocean Policy 2020–2030, with continued work on a third version of the Nationally Determined Contributions to guide future commitments.
The discussions align with regional efforts to strengthen environmental protection and secure sustainable livelihoods in the face of biodiversity loss, pollution and warming seas. Earlier forums in Suva highlighted similar themes, including the need for consistent, adequate financing to scale homegrown solutions across Pacific Island countries and to ensure that climate action is both effective and equitable.
Additional value and analysis
– Investment and financing: There is a clear push in Fiji and the wider region to secure predictable climate finance, scale adaptation projects, and translate policy into bankable programs that communities can rely on. This aligns with broader regional calls for stronger financing mechanisms to support resilience.
– Knowledge integration: The Pacific climate discourse increasingly emphasizes an integrated approach that combines scientific data with social sciences and indigenous and community knowledge. This holistic perspective is designed to make climate policies more relevant and actionable at the local level.
– Policy-to-action bridge: Fiji’s existing legal and policy instruments provide a framework to hold actors to account while scaling up concrete projects on the ground. The challenge remains turning policy promises into funded, implemented programs that reach the communities most at risk.
– Regional momentum: The dialogue in Nadi fits into a wider pattern of Pacific leadership urging faster action and closer cooperation among governments, business, civil society and communities to address climate risks and finance needs.
– What to watch next: Expect follow-up announcements on cross-sector partnerships, financing commitments, and multi-stakeholder initiatives as regional dialogues feed into national planning and international climate negotiations.
Summary
Fiji’s call for aligning science, policy and business reflects a regional push to turn climate knowledge into concrete, funded action. With the IPCC warning of narrowing chances to limit warming, the emphasis is on rapid, coordinated action across fisheries, forests and oceans, and on securing the financing and partnerships needed to make real-world resilience possible.
Positive outlook
There is cautious optimism that stronger cross-sector collaboration, grounded in local realities and backed by robust policy frameworks, could translate into tangible improvements for Pacific communities. As regional leaders continue to advocate for ambitious climate action, the potential for scalable, community-led solutions remains a hopeful path forward.
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