Fiji accelerates ozone protection and tightens controls on ozone-depleting substances as HCFC ban looms
Fiji is reinforcing its climate action leadership by stepping up ozone protection measures and advancing the phase-out of harmful substances, guided by international agreements and robust national systems. Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu outlined the country’s commitment to the Kigali Amendment and ongoing efforts to curb ozone-depleting substances.
The minister noted that Fiji has built a robust system for regulating imports and exports of controlled substances, developed in collaboration with border control agencies and underpinned by standard operating procedures. “Fiji has established a robust system for regulating imports and exports of controlled substance through collaboration with our border control agencies by co-creating standard operating procedures to guide the process,” he said.
Bulitavu highlighted that imports of hydrochlorofluorocarbons have steadily declined since 2010, a achievement he attributed to partnerships with government ministries, the private sector, communities, and regional partners. He added that Fiji’s strong enforcement framework and training programs have positioned the country as a regional leader in climate action.
UNEP Deputy Director Elizabeth Mrema underscored the public health benefits of ozone protection, noting that safeguarding the ozone layer prevents millions of skin cancer cases globally and supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and well-being. “By protecting the ozone layer, it prevents an estimated two million cases of skin cancer every year. And thus, it supports Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is on good health and well-being,” Mrema commented.
Both leaders emphasized that the Montreal Protocol is not merely an ozone treaty but a climate treaty, with cooperation and partnerships essential to reducing warming and safeguarding the planet for future generations.
A broader view of Fiji’s environmental leadership is reflected in recent and ongoing actions. As part of its comprehensive approach to phasing out ozone-depleting substances, Fiji is moving toward a nationwide ban on equipment pre-charged with HCFCs. The ban, which will come into effect on August 1, 2025, targets all new HCFC-based equipment—including air conditioners and refrigerators—endorsing ozone-friendly technologies and aligning with the Montreal Protocol and Fiji’s ODS Act. This measures builds on Fiji’s existing commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Act, reinforcing the country’s drive to integrate climate and ozone protection into national policy.
Fiji’s climate governance continues to be strengthened through active participation in international forums and commitments. The Climate Change Act, which aligns with the Paris Agreement, provides a framework for managing climate actions, with ongoing work to translate international decisions into national regulations and programs. Fiji’s engagement at COP29, where a 57-member delegation participated across multiple negotiations and processes, further demonstrates the country’s proactive stance on climate finance, loss and damage, ocean preservation, and the needs of indigenous peoples and gender equity. In line with these efforts, Fiji supports ambitious finance goals, including moving toward a collective climate financing target of USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035, with developing nations contributing a significant portion, as highlighted by national leaders. This agenda was reinforced by Fiji’s ongoing advocacy for stronger climate financing and better mechanisms to support small island developing states.
Fiji’s active role in international funding and environmental stewardship extends to other regional platforms. The country has participated in the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Pacific Constituency Meeting in Rarotonga, focusing on stronger coordination, project design and implementation, and long-term sustainability for climate and environment funding. This regional collaboration reflects Fiji’s broader aim of building resilient communities through transparent use of international funds and robust national monitoring systems.
For readers and stakeholders, Fiji’s trajectory offers a hopeful example of turning international commitments into tangible national action. The combination of ozone protection, phased-out HCFCs, climate legislation, and active participation in global finance discussions points to concrete benefits for health, the environment, and regional resilience.
What this means for Fiji and the region
– Enforcement and compliance: Continued tightening of import/export controls and SOPs will improve oversight of ozone-depleting substances.
– Modernization of technology: The HCFC ban and transition to ozone-friendly technologies will spur adoption of energy-efficient cooling solutions.
– Climate finance momentum: Fiji’s COP29 involvement and finance targets underscore the need for accessible funding to support adaptation, loss and damage, and resilience efforts.
– Regional leadership: Fiji’s integrated approach serves as a model for Pacific Island nations seeking to align climate, health, and environmental protection.
Key dates and watchpoints
– August 1, 2025: Effective date for the ban on imports, exports, and manufacture of equipment pre-charged with HCFCs.
– COP29 outcomes and subsequent climate-finance developments: Monitoring ongoing discussions on funding levels and mechanisms for small island states.
– Ongoing implementation of the Climate Change Act and related regulations: Tracking progress toward transparent measurement, reporting, and verification of emissions.
Additional notes
– Fiji’s stance reinforces the view of the Montreal Protocol as a climate treaty, highlighting the interconnectedness of ozone protection, emissions reductions, and public health.
– The country’s regional initiatives and funding discussions indicate a broader commitment to sustainable development and resilience in the Pacific.
Overall, Fiji is advancing a cohesive, forward-looking environmental strategy that links ozone protection, climate action, and sustainable development to improve health outcomes and protect the region’s future.
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