Our world is facing an energy crisis, the cost of fuel has skyrocketed globally, and we in the Pacific are not immune to the shocks of increasing costs.

This was highlighted by Pacific Community (SPC) Principal Strategic Lead- Pacific Women Mereseini Rakuita during the launch of U.S Department of States Women in Energy Strategy at Holiday Inn, Suva on Tuesday.

Ms Rakuita said the crisis of fuel cost was a burden on the blue Pacific region, communities and families across the Pacific.

“The Pacific relies on fossil fuels to drive our energy systems and to turn on our lives; 80 per cent of the energy generated in our region is fuelled by petroleum.”

“Almost 100 per cent of our transport including maritime and land transport is still fuelled by petroleum,” she said.

“Pacific leaders have declared their intention to make the region carbon neutral by 2050.”

“This is expected to not only support the Pacific sustainable development targets, but also help to spur economic activities and job creation as the region increases its investment in clean energy infrastructure as the lead agency supporting the Pacific Island countries and territories energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable resource.”

“SPC is working with many partners, including national, regional and international agencies to realise a 100 per cent energy excess and ultimately to achieve carbon neutral economies in our region.”

She said the current energy crisis emphasises climate change as the greatest challenge for the Blue Pacific and the need to continue to make a consolidated effort towards less reliance on fossil fuels and to rapidly accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives for the region as that is key to the survival of people and nations.
Story By: nolishma.narayan@fijisun.com.fj