Civil servants in Fiji are now required to participate in a survey concerning climate change, which will take place from March 21 to April 15. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Civil Service (MCS) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC).
Acting permanent secretary for MCS, Samuela Moce, announced the survey in a circular issued on March 12. The objective is to assess the impact of climate change on daily work processes within the public sector. It aims to examine key human resource management practices while exploring areas to enhance the government’s role in climate resilience. This includes improving knowledge, awareness, and coordination concerning climate change.
Mr. Moce emphasized the importance of input from all public servants, regardless of whether their work connects directly to climate change. He stated, “Candid responses to the survey are critical for an accurate understanding of the public sector.” The survey guarantees strict confidentiality; all collected data will be anonymized, ensuring that individual responses remain private.
This initiative follows ongoing discussions within Fiji regarding the challenges of responding to climate change, notably the limitations in capacity and resources that have often thwarted effective climate strategies. Recent comments from the Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Luke Rokovada have highlighted the necessity of increasing public access to information about climate change responses and ensuring that government ministries actively incorporate climate considerations into budget plans.
The emergence of this survey represents proactive steps towards involving civil servants in climate action, which is crucial as the impacts of climate change increasingly affect sectors like healthcare and emergency services. By harnessing insights from public servants, Fiji aims to bolster its overall climate resilience and governance frameworks.
This survey is a hopeful sign that Fiji is seeking to engage its public sector comprehensively in the climate change discourse, fostering a collaborative approach that could lead to more informed and effective policies. Engaging civil servants is crucial as it may also bolster morale and commitment within the public service, ultimately leading to stronger climate resilience strategies.
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