Fiji can promote to the rest of the world the effort to address climate change.

But also to be able to look at sustainable forest management and contribute to economic growth that will bring change to the livelihood of the communities.

Those were the comments made by the Ministry of Forestry Permanent Secretary, Pene Baleinabuli during the visit to Tokaimalo in Ra with a team from the World Bank and the independent Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) review team.

He said, “This is a demonstration by Fiji to continue the fight against Climate change. The essence of the REDD+ programme is to build climate resilient communities.”

The tikina of Tokaimalo have dedicated over 1000 hectares.

Conversation International has helped them to plant trees of various species including Mahogany, Teak and Pine.

“It is good to see that these communities have long term vision of what they want for their future generation,” said Mr Baleinabuli.

“This is an example for the Fiji can promote to the rest of the world to the effort to address climate change but also to be able to look at sustainable forest management and contribute to economic growth that will bring change to the livelihood of the communities.

“The team from the TAP has indicated that they are very pleased with what is happening on the ground.”

Conservation International and team leader for Fiji’s Emission Reduction Programme Susana Tuisese said: “Fiji’s ERP has three major components which include afforestation/reforestation, forest conservation and sustainable harvesting.

“This not only ensures that the REDD+ activity (e.g. reforestation, forest conservation) is not compromised (by competing land use needs of the local community) but also promotes sustainable socio-economic development where landowners and land users are capacitated to sustainably manage their land resources.”

“The idea was through the Fiji WATER support as they provided the finance to actually establish these plantations with the agreement the landowner will own the trees after 30 years. They will make sure it does not go through fire,” Ms Tuisese added.

In December 2018, Fiji submitted its Emissions Reduction Program Document (ERPD) to the World Bank, outlining the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and identifying interventions to address the drivers.

Fiji’s efforts to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions were received by the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

In particular the Facility Management Team (FMT) to which the FMT sent a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) team to Suva this week to review the ERPD.

TAP review team’s visit to Fiji

The TAP review team’s visit to Fiji culminated yesterday including a visit to the Nakauvadra Commune-Based Reforestation program that is spearheaded by the Conservation International (CI). CI is also an important stakeholder of the REDD+ program.

The team was led by Ken Andrasko (TAP Lead Expert), Fred Stolle (Carbon Accounting Expert), Angelika Kandzior (Social and Environmental Safeguards Expert), and Ludovino Lopez (Legal Expert).

Also accompanied by World Bank independent consultants Carly Green (Carbon Accounting Specialist), and Michael Green (MRV Specialist) as well as the World Bank’s Task Team Leader (Fiji) Senior Operations Officer Anis Wan and Senior Development Social Specialist Haddy Jatou Sey.

The objectives of the visit by the TAP review team and World Bank include:

n hold meetings with the key stakeholders related to the REDD+ process and the preparation of the ERP, consultants of the various studies and ERP-Document (ERPD), the representatives of the various programs and projects proposed as part of the Emissions Reduction Programme

n evaluate the status of the preparation of the Emission Reduction Program in Fiji and make recommendations for the improvement and finalization of the ERPD; (iii) undertake field visits at REDD+ pilot sites and the relevant national program and project sites.

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj