THE Pacific Action on Climate Transitions (PACT) has welcomed a $2 million funding commitment from the Fiji Government.
According to a press statement, PACT, launched in March this year, is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU) and Monash University’s Monash Business School.
The international research centre focuses on the “critical links between business and climate change and finding real-world solutions for communities at the frontline of our changing environment.”
PACT will aid policy makers who are looking at effectively funding mitigation and adaptation measures in the Pacific region and beyond, as well as provide high-quality training and capacity building.
While announcing the 2023-2024 National Budget in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad said the Fiji Government has allocated PACT $2 million.
“[Fiji’s] very existence depends on us, all working together to solve the critical problems posed by climate change and environmental degradation,” he said.
“The funding allocation to PACT was to facilitate co-designed projects between academia, civil society and the Ministries that will build resilience in response to climate change, strengthen the Fijian economy and contribute to Fiji’s regional leadership in addressing climate change.”
FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said they were “extremely thankful to the Government of the day for their funding commitment towards PACT.”
“This is a testament of the Government’s commitment to working towards exceptional research in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation – which will benefit not only numerous Fijian families and communities but the entire Pacific Region,” she said.
Head of Monash Business School Professor Simon Wilkie said the “generous support from the Fiji Government underlines the importance of our partnership with the people of Fiji.”
“PACT allows joint projects to take place between FNU and Monash University researchers that address the community well-being and economic resilience of citizens in the Pacific Region,” he said.
“Monash University and Monash Business School are front runners in the concept of climate change finance, a burgeoning area of research, as part of the University’s research-led Impact 2030 strategy.
“Monash University’s other initiatives in the region, such as the World Mosquito Program and the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program have already made a real difference to the lives of communities throughout the Pacific at the frontline of climate change impacts.”
