The Department of Environment says the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and the EIA approval conditions should be the tool and guiding documents to mitigate against environmental impacts.
According to the director environment Sandeep Singh, the environmental implications and cumulative impacts of unplanned developments could be devastating to the progress and economic growth of our nation.
Therefore she said there was an urgent need for transformative actions at all levels of societies and economies to protect the Earth from perilous circumstances that threatens our existence.
According to Ms Singh it is instrumental that we apply precautionary principles and the sustainable use and development of natural resources and endeavour towards the conservation of Fiji’s pristine environment.
She highlighted this while opening the Stockholm +50 national consultation for the validation of a draft national report for Fiji.
In a statement from the Department of Environment, Ms Singh said the Stockholm+50 international meeting, scheduled to be held in Stockholm, Sweden this week recognize the 50 year journey of the global community in its efforts to create a healthy planet with prosperity for all by addressing the biggest challenge of the era: the triple planetary crises – climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
“The Stockholm+50 conference provides an opportunity for countries like Fiji to call for ‘a level playing field for all’ when it comes to environmental protection; where countries take ownership of their actions and collectively create innovative ways to deliver high ambition targets and transformative changes in addressing the triple planetary crises.
“It is an opportunity to bring equity to the world; an opportunity to elevate the global movement for a more compassionate world that addresses the needs of all vulnerable groups.
“It calls for inclusivity and collaboration. The call for more diverse groups collaborating: the need for policymakers, youths, NGOs, private sector and academia to find sustainable solutions together.
“However, to advance sustainability on a grand scale, we need a change in mindsets. To reach that goal, education and awareness is the most powerful tool.”
She said an important aspect of the consultation would be to validate the content of the Stockholm+50 Draft National Report for Fiji prepared after the Technical Working Group Consultation held on May 19 – 20, 2022.
“This National Consultation Workshop provides an opportunity to further deliberate and validate the content of the National Consultation Workshop before it is finalised.”
