One of the key highlights that will set the tone for the National Building Code is to be environmentally conscious.

A consultation held with the Construction Industry Council and key stakeholders was organised by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Global Green Growth Institute.

It was held at Holiday Inn Suva.

Institute Lower Emissions Climate Resilient Programme Manager, Miguel Londonõ, said the consultation was a three-year programme that promoted the transition to lower emissions, climate resilient development programs in Pacific Island Countries like Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

“We have completed the construction of a sustainability chapter that informs the review of the building code that is ongoing as per the mandate of the climate change Act that was adopted by the Fijian Government in September last year,” Mr Londonõ said.

“GGGI with New Zealand funding is supporting the implementation of some of the dispositions on the climate change act, the Fijian policy to promote mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Consultation on the Building Code and selected acceptable solution and verification method documents, provides an opportunity for the public and the building and construction sector to have their say on the proposed changes.

It aims to make homes and buildings warmer, drier, healthier and with less impact on the environment.

Mr Londonõ said the Climate Change Act mandates for the government to upgrade the or to review and upgrade the building code because it is an old building code.

He said there is a specific clause that mandates to integrate resilience in climate change in dispositions into the building code.

Last year, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced a milestone by gazetting the Climate Change Act 2021.

Feedback: laisa.liu@fijisun.com.fj