Press Release Detail

REDD+ is an initiative that encourages developing countries to contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions by reducing deforestation, forest degradation and by promoting forest conservation, sustainable management of forests and increasing forest carbon stocks.
The communities in Fiji are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and these impacts are projected to further intensify under the anticipated global warming trajectory and impacts which poses a threat to Fiji’s sustainable growth; placing large economic, social and physical stress on local communities and ecosystems. Urgent actions are needed to strengthen the resilience of communities against the impacts brought about by climate change. Given Fiji’s small island landscape, it is essential that impacts of climate action are maximised by ensuring that mitigation actions and initiative will also result in adaptation co-benefits. Synergies need to be created between mitigation and adaptation activities. Fiji’s national plans and strategies emphasise the need to embed climate change adaptation and resilience initiatives in all national and sectoral plans and strategies. 
The National Adaptation Plan Framework refers to the REDD+ Policy reflecting the dual role REDD+ plays – both in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Fiji’s ER Program is designed to maximise climate co-benefits and integrate initiatives that address vulnerabilities of local communities and contribute to the effort of building a more resilient nation. 
The Fijian Government’s strong commitment to Fiji’s National REDD+ programme has been in place since the initiation of the programme 10 years ago and reflected in the annual government budget provisions to support readiness efforts, establishment of the REDD+ Unit within the Ministry of Forestry, identifying and supporting a pilot site for REDD+ activities, supporting the development of the REDD+ Policy and putting in place necessary mechanisms to support REDD+ work in the future.

FIJI SOON TO ENTER CARBON TRADING
Following the devastating impacts of climate change experienced globally and more so to small island developing states, a decision was made at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 16th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Cancun, Mexico held from 29 November to 10 December 2010, encourages developing country Parties to contribute to mitigation actions in the forest sector under Article 70. 
These actions include reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. 
Article 71 of the Cancun Agreement requests developing country parties to undertake the activities referred to above in the context of the provision of adequate and predictable support, including financial resources and technical and technological support to developing country parties in accordance with national circumstances, to develop a national strategy or action plan, determine a national forest reference level, create a robust and transparent national forest monitoring system and put in place a system for providing information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected through the implementation of REDD+ activities while respecting the country’s sovereignty. 
Under the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), Fiji was granted US$5.8million in 2015 to help the country prepare for carbon trading through activities that would contribute to a reduction of carbon emissions, known as the readiness phase. The readiness phase ends on December 31, 2022, with the implementation of the national programme to reduce emissions known as the Fiji Forestry Emission Reductions (ER) Program. 
In January 2020, the Fijian Government signed the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF for results based payments in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and increasing carbon sequestration. Fiji became the first small island developing state to sign an ERPA with the FCPF.

FIJI ENTERS CARBON FUND 
The World Bank’s FCPF provided funding to 47 countries in the world to help them through their Readiness phase before entering into carbon trading. Out of the 47 countries, only 15 have made it to the carbon fund which means they have prepared well to be able to participate in the trading of carbon. Fiji is one of the 15 countries to participate in carbon emission reductions. 
Permanent Secretary of Forestry, Pene Baleinabuli stated that Fiji's inclusion among these 15 countries is history in the making and something the country should be proud of as a small island developing state. 
Mr Baleinabuli said that through the FCPF, Fiji is setting up national systems and processes that will allow the country to enter into carbon trading in 2024. 
“For the moment, Fiji signed an agreement under the FCPF to trade 2.5million tonnes of carbon from 37,282 hectares in the selected 20 districts,” he said. 
The 20 districts include eight from the Western Division, 10 from the Northern Division and two from the Central Division. The districts from the Western Division include Sigatoka, Cuvu, Namataku, Noikoro, Tavua, Savatu, Nalotawa and Saivou while the Central Division include Serua and Nabobuco. For the Northern Divisions, the districts include Taveuni, Tunuloa, Saqani, Wailevu, Vaturova, Dogotuki, Labasa, Seaqaqa, Dreketi and Bua.  
The Fiji ER Program period for the next two years will prepare the communities and all interested parties to understand the different processes involved so as to prepare them for future carbon trading markets.

SAFEGUARDS 
Throughout the implementation of REDD+ from its humble beginnings in 2009 and up until now, there have been safeguards systems, processes and measures implemented at all levels of implementation in the country through the Ministry of Forestry and multiple stakeholders. 
Safeguards in the context of REDD+ are measures to protect against or avoid risks while promoting the benefits of reducing emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, and fostering conservation, sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Following the COP 16 meeting in Mexico, the Cancun Safeguards were derived as a means of ensuring the effective and full participation of all stakeholders, in particular local communities, in the REDD+ process.
Parties agreed that the following safeguards should be promoted and supported when implementing REDD+ activities:
1.    That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements;
2.    Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty;
3.    Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
4.    The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities, in the actions referred to in paragraphs 70 and 72 of this decision;
5.    That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that the actions referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits, taking into account the need for sustainable livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities and their interdependence on forests in most countries, reflected in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the International Mother Earth Day.
6.    Actions to address the risks of reversals;
7.    Actions to reduce displacement of emissions.

The implementation of activities under the REDD+ mechanism has the potential to deliver social and environmental benefits that go beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but it may also entail potential risks to local communities, indigenous peoples, women and other marginalised groups that depend heavily on the forest resources for their livelihoods and other daily needs. Safeguards are principles or measures that aim to protect or to avoid risks (“do no harm”), while promoting benefits (“do good”). The term multiple benefits is used to ensure that all benefits will flow from a successful implementation of REDD+ and emission reductions and will include both the global climate mitigation benefits from REDD+ as well as environmental and social benefits, also known as non-carbon benefits or co-benefits.
Over the years the Fiji National REDD+ Programme has embarked on a series of analytical studies and assessments, to help the country reach “readiness” and implement the Emissions Reduction Program (ERP) in 20 districts in Fiji, which will assist in reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation before finally engaging in carbon financing.
These studies are comprehensive and cross-cutting – ranging from social issues, to legal instruments and technical measurements. They include the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) study, the Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM), the Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation, the Carbon Rights Study, the Benefit Sharing Plan and the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), which includes the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Re-Settlement Policy, the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Gender Guidelines and the Gender Action Plan. Currently, the Due Diligence study is being undertaken and will be completed by December 2022. 
Without the implementation of Safeguards, Fiji will not be able to enter into carbon trading under the ERPA with the FCPF .Landowning units, farmers, women and youth are encouraged to actively participate in Fiji’s Forest ER Program. 

For more information contact any nearest Forestry Office within your vicinity.