World Bank Extends Redd+ Readiness Phase
The Fijian
Government is grateful to the World Bank for the extension of the Fiji Forest
Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Readiness Project for the next eighteen (18)
months.
The
remaining activities under the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation, Forest Conservation, Sustainable Management of Forests and
Carbon Stock Enhancement) Readiness will need to be completed by December 31,
2021.
Minister for
Forestry, Honourable Osea Naiqamu said, “We are very happy with the extension
over the next 18 months as this will greatly assist in efforts to address the
drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and improve our forest
information systems.”
He
said the extension of this program will contribute to the implementation of
Fiji’s Emissions Reduction (ER) Program implementation.
“This
involves the setting up of systems that efficiently and effectively collect,
process and report on forest cover change, emission levels and safeguards like
a benefit sharing plan, and feedback and grievance mechanisms.
“This
work will be promoted though a national awareness campaign that is envisaged to
reach all Fiji citizens,” Minister Naiqamu said.
He added the
ERP had proposed to the World Bank’s FCPF of Fiji’s effort to combat climate
change through the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and enhancing
removals at the rate of 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 5
years. The proposal commits about 90% of Fiji’s land mass in 20 districts in
Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni.
Program Team
Leader, REDD+ Unit, Mr Ilaisa Tulele said that for this REDD+ readiness phase,
the activities over the next 18 months will include the establishment of main
data collection sites in terms of monitoring forest cover change and to
establish a national repository for monitoring and reporting purposes.
He said the
drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are numerous and include but
are not limited to logging, agricultural development, growth in population and
demand for land for resettlement purposes and infrastructure & other land
developments including mining.
“It is also
recognized that the “concept of change” must first begin with the
decision-makers and/or planners, which requires a multi-sectoral approach with
REDD+ stakeholders in Government, the resourced-based communities, civil society,
private sector, and other regional and international organisations.
“The purpose
too of the extension is to strengthen the multi-sectoral approach in the
management of the forest and land resources, and the preparedness towards the
implementation of Fiji’s ER Program.
“This can be
achieved through firstly, the participatory planning and decision-making and
the harmonization of development needs with sustainable management of the
natural resources, and secondly the institutionalization of the integrated land
use plans as the guide to development.”
Mr Tulele
added that one other major activity will include elevating the forest reference
emission level from sub-national to national level so that future forest
reference emission level (FREL) will be accurately determined and closely
reflect Fiji’s carbon pools and state of it forests.
Anis Wan,
Task Team Leader of the World Bank thanked the Fijian Government for agreeing,
in the first place, to implement the REDD+ concept and for its subsequent
efforts to-date.
“I trust
that with concerted efforts from the Government of Fiji and the Bank team the
remaining activities under the Readiness Project will accelerate and be
completed and objectives achieved in the next 18 months. We look forward to
continuing our successful cooperation,” Ms Wan said.
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Background
Fiji became
a participant country in the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
(FCPF) in 2013 and a year later in December 2014, the FCPF authorized a grant
funding of US$3.8 million to support Fiji’s preparations in engaging in a
future REDD+ performance-based system. The grant agreement for the Fiji’s
Readiness-Preparation Proposal (R-PP) readiness fund was signed in May 2015. An
additional $2million was provided in 2017. This additional funding was to
assist the Fiji National REDD+ Programme to carry out more awareness programmes
to stakeholders and to strengthen the capacity of existing institutions in the
forestry and agriculture related sectors dealing with sustainable land
management and sustainable forest management. Fiji is now preparing for the
second phase which involves the implementation of the Emissions Reduction
Program in 20 districts in three islands only – Vanua Levu, Viti Levu and
Taveuni.
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