More than 40 villages in Fiji are facing the need for relocation, while over 200 sea walls are essential to protect them from rising sea levels, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad. He emphasized these critical issues during the announcement of Fiji’s delegation for COP29 in Suva on Friday.
Professor Prasad stated, “We have over 200 sea walls to build, over 40 villages requiring relocation, and over 100,000 hectares of farmland that need protection from saltwater intrusion.” He also pointed out that many village health centers and schools, which are not connected to the national grid, require off-grid renewable energy solutions.
He highlighted that approximately 80,000 Fijian children lack access to electricity, making it difficult for them to complete homework or read effectively, underlining the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions.
Further, he noted the long-term damage to infrastructure, including island airports, jetties, schools, and health facilities, which are in desperate need of repair due to the impact of successive extreme weather events.
“We must build resilience in our health centers and medical facilities and create food and water security that can endure current and future climate change impacts,” Professor Prasad asserted. He will be leading the delegation, which aims to address these pressing climate issues.
He stressed the importance of diplomatic navigation amidst these challenges, indicating that political hurdles should not hinder scientific progression. He called for a balanced approach, prioritizing pragmatism and compromise.
Professor Prasad emphasized the significance of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), highlighting it as a measure of global commitment to limiting temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
He concluded that the ambitions set through the NCQG reflect developed countries’ dedication to addressing the loss and damage experienced by nations like Fiji and are crucial to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future.