FIJI is leaving a major forest carbon opportunity untapped as other countries move ahead with climate finance and carbon investment, says Opposition member Semi Koroilavesau.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Koroilavesau said Fiji had about 70,000 hectares of mahogany plantations, one of the largest tropical hardwood plantation areas in the world, but had failed to develop a comprehensive strategy to quantify and monetise their carbon potential.
He said countries were generating investment and climate finance through well-managed forest carbon programs while Fiji continued to lag behind.
Mr Koroilavesau said Government needed to strengthen forest carbon accounting and reforestation while creating policies that allow indigenous forests and commercial plantations to contribute to Fiji’s national emissions reduction commitments.
“Instead of relying solely on international climate leadership, Government should demonstrate that leadership here at home,” he said.
He said proper management of the forestry sector could protect biodiversity, create sustainable livelihoods for rural communities and generate revenue through carbon markets.
Mr Koroilavesau urged Government to develop a comprehensive forestry roadmap bringing together Agarwood, mahogany, indigenous forests, sustainable harvesting, carbon sequestration and climate finance.
He said Fiji must stop viewing forests only as timber resources and recognise their wider economic and environmental value.
