The Government is moving to modernise Fiji’s environmental legislation to ensure stronger enforcement and tougher penalties for illegal dumping, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Speaking at the VAKA Forum in Suva, Mr Rabuka confirmed that amendments to the Litter Act, along with the necessary supporting regulations, had been developed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
He said the reforms would be tabled in Parliament once the final drafting process was completed.
Mr Rabuka said the changes were designed to strengthen environmental governance by centralising control, reinforcing accountability, and improving protections for both natural ecosystems and public health.
“Protecting the environment is a shared national responsibility, the need for compliance from both businesses and communities,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said effective waste management could not rely on legislation alone, saying collaboration with civil society, community groups, and grassroots recyclers remain essential.
“Many of the most practical and durable solutions have emerged directly from our own community.”
Mr Rabuka said the strengthened legal framework would reduce waste, promote responsible environmental practices, and aligned Fiji with its international commitments, including the Paris Agreement and global conventions on biodiversity and hazardous waste.
