Fiji must urgently transition to a more resilient and low-carbon transport system as climate risks and energy dependency continue to strain the sector, according to a new report by the Asian Transport Observatory.
The Transport in Review: Fiji report highlights that transport accounts for 47 per cent of the country’s energy-related carbon emissions, with the sector heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels.
It notes that while Fiji has set ambitious climate targets — including reducing domestic maritime emissions by 40 per cent and road transport emissions by 14 per cent by 2035 — progress towards electrification remains limited.
“Scaling public charging infrastructure and strengthening grid capacity are prerequisites for transition,” the report states.
The report warns that climate change is already placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, with around 90 per cent of Fiji’s population living in vulnerable coastal areas.
“Adaptation — climate-proofing roads, upgrading water crossings, strengthening bridges — is no longer future planning; it is fiscal risk management,” it states.
While recent increases in electric vehicle imports and the removal of VAT are seen as positive steps, the report stresses that deeper systemic changes are needed.
“The path forward requires a fundamental decoupling of mobility from carbon emissions,” it says.
The maritime sector, which supports 95 per cent of Fiji’s trade, also requires urgent modernisation, including investment in low-carbon technologies to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
“The challenge is not merely to build more infrastructure, but to manage what already exists, protect it against climate shocks, and align mobility growth with safety and decarbonisation goals,” the report states.
It also calls for a more coordinated and inclusive approach to transport planning, particularly in addressing congestion in Greater Suva and improving connectivity in rural areas.
“Without that transition, the costs of distance, congestion, and climate will compound,” the report warns.
However, it adds that with the right reforms, Fiji can position itself as a model for sustainable and resilient transport systems in the Pacific.
