A new report from the Asian Transport Observatory is urging Fiji to rapidly shift to a resilient, low‑carbon transport system, warning that the sector’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and growing climate risks already threaten infrastructure and public finances. The Transport in Review: Fiji report finds transport is responsible for 47 per cent of the country’s energy‑related carbon emissions and says immediate action is needed to protect supply chains, reduce costs and meet national climate targets.
The report highlights that Fiji has set specific reduction goals — cutting domestic maritime emissions by 40 per cent and road transport emissions by 14 per cent by 2035 — but notes that progress on electrification and systemwide decarbonisation remains limited. Recent policy steps, including rising electric vehicle imports and the removal of VAT on EVs, are identified as positive but insufficient without large‑scale investment in public charging infrastructure and strengthened grid capacity to handle increased electricity demand.
Climate change is already increasing pressure on Fiji’s transport assets, the report stresses, with about 90 per cent of the population living in vulnerable coastal locations. Asian Transport Observatory analysts argue adaptation must be treated as fiscal risk management rather than a long‑term project, calling for climate‑proofing of roads, upgraded water crossings and stronger bridges to reduce recurring repair costs and disruption to communities and commerce.
The maritime sector, which the report notes supports 95 per cent of Fiji’s trade, is singled out for urgent modernisation. The observatory recommends investment in low‑carbon technologies and efficiency upgrades to both cut operating costs and reduce emissions from domestic shipping and ports. It warns that upgrading and managing existing maritime infrastructure to withstand climate shocks is as important as building new capacity.
Urban transport planning also receives attention. The report calls for a coordinated, inclusive approach to tackle congestion in Greater Suva and to improve rural connectivity, arguing that better integrated planning would limit the economic penalties of distance and congestion while supporting safety and decarbonisation goals. Analysts say piecemeal measures risk locking in higher emissions trajectories and growing fiscal burdens from climate damage and inefficient transport networks.
The latest analysis comes against a backdrop of government efforts to modernise land transport services. The Land Transport Authority has been rolling out staff training and new functions to boost service delivery, but the observatory says institutional reforms, stronger regulatory frameworks and dedicated financing will be needed to translate administrative changes into systemic reductions in emissions and vulnerability.
The report concludes that, with targeted reforms, strategic investment and stronger coordination across agencies and sectors, Fiji could become a regional example for sustainable and resilient transport. It urges policymakers to prioritise electrification readiness, grid upgrades, maritime modernisation and adaptation measures now to avoid steep economic and environmental costs later.
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