NATIONAL climate policies must also be shaped by the lived experiences of communities outside Suva, particularly in the Northern Division, says Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya.
Ms Tabuya said communities understood their risks and challenges better than central decision-makers.
“National climate planning cannot happen only in Suva. It must reflect the lived realities of our divisions, especially the Northern Division,” she said.
She said communities were already identifying solutions on the ground but needed stronger support to turn them into funded and workable projects.
“You know which solutions are working and which are not.”
Ms Tabuya said the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) covered a wide range of sectors, including energy, waste, agriculture, adaptation and ocean management.
However, she said the challenge was turning commitments into practical, costed projects that could attract funding and be implemented effectively.
“Our national ambitions must be matched with simplified access to predictable and adequate climate finance.”
She said Government had begun training communities to develop proposals to access climate funds, but more work was needed.
“The funding exists, but if it is not used, it lapses and returns to the funding pool.”
She said Fiji’s climate commitments must ultimately deliver real benefits to communities on the ground, not just international reporting obligations.
