Fiji calls on private sector to lead the fight against climate change
Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, urged the private sector to take a stronger role in the country’s climate response during the National Climate Action Dialogue at the University of the South Pacific. He said climate action requires a blend of private capital, innovation, and technical skills, and that green investment should be seen as a responsibility rather than a mere benefit.
Bulitavu warned that public funds remain essential to de-risk climate-related investments, but stressed that the real impact of Fiji’s climate policies depends on turning frameworks into practical community projects, tangible funding, and visible results. He pointed to the Climate Change Act 2021, the National Adaptation Plan, the National Climate Change Policy, and the National Ocean Policy as the legal tools already in place, noting that their effectiveness will be judged by on-the-ground outcomes, especially in the wake of recent disasters that have tested resilience.
The minister underscored Fiji’s ongoing commitment despite storms destroying homes, rising seas displacing people, and droughts continuing to threaten rural livelihoods. The dialogue, which united government, business leaders, and civil society, focused on practical solutions and delivering aid to those most affected by climate change.
Context and broader relevance
The push to mobilize private capital aligns with a wider regional push for climate finance and locally driven adaptation, a theme echoed by Pacific leaders in recent years. Across the Pacific, discussions at COP29 and related forums have emphasized moving beyond pilots toward transformative financing that supports resilient infrastructure and low-carbon transitions. The emerging consensus is that a mix of public support and private investment is needed to realize scalable climate projects in health, agriculture, and infrastructure, while ensuring accountability and community benefit.
Editorial note and context
Advocates argue that public-private partnerships, risk-sharing mechanisms, and streamlined access to finance are crucial to translating Fiji’s strong policy foundations into meaningful, community-level action. The dialogue at USP reinforces a hopeful trajectory: with clear policy signals, reliable financing, and active participation from business and civil society, Fiji can advance practical climate solutions that protect vulnerable communities and sustain livelihoods.
Commentary
Strengthening private-sector involvement should be paired with transparent funding flows, robust risk mitigation, and clear metrics for success to ensure resources reach the communities most in need. Fiji’s existing legal toolkit provides a solid platform, but real progress will depend on delivery, accountability, and sustained collaboration among government, business, and local communities.
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