Fiji is securing more climate funding to help communities deal with the everyday impacts of climate change.
Around US$99.7 million in Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing is supporting projects in Fiji that protect water supplies, forests, fisheries and ecosystems, while helping communities become more resilient to floods, droughts, rising seas and other climate impacts.
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya met with GCF Executive Director Mafalda Duarte on the sidelines of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau this week.
“Climate finance must reach our people and make a real difference on the ground. It must mean safer communities, secure water, protected reefs and fisheries, and stronger livelihoods.”
Fiji has also received millions of dollars to strengthen the systems and expertise needed to access and manage climate funding.
Discussions included future projects such as the proposed Coral Reef Resilience project, which is important for communities that depend on healthy reefs for food, income and protection from the sea.
Minister Tabuya also welcomed the establishment of the GCF Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Suva, bringing climate finance support closer to Fiji and the wider Pacific.
She called for more grant funding for Pacific Small Island Developing States, stressing that countries like Fiji contribute very little to global emissions but face some of the greatest climate impacts.
“Our message is simple: climate finance must not just look good on paper. It must reach our villages, settlements and communities and improve people’s lives.”
Fiji and the GCF reaffirmed their commitment to working together to turn climate finance into practical results for Fijians.