AGP Executive Report

Coastal Care: More than 75 volunteers planted 80 mangroves and cleaned Nasese shoreline, highlighting the role of mangroves in protecting coasts and marine life. Water Security: Dramasi residents will be assessed for a borehole as Fiji responds to water stress linked to El Niño conditions. Sigatoka Sands Proposal: No decision has been made on the proposed iron-sands project, the Environment Ministry says. Public submissions are due October 30, amid concerns from landowners, the Fiji Museum and coastal users. Forest Management: Fiji Hardwood Corporation aims to certify its forests by 2027 and says it has replanted more than 500 hectares of harvested mahogany plantations since 2021. Waste Enforcement: Six municipal councils have issued 159 litter fines since the $200 penalty took effect; the Environment Minister urged the public to dispose of rubbish responsibly. Pacific Climate Action: Pacific women leaders say COP31 must back women already leading climate responses, as rising seas and extreme weather deepen existing inequalities.

Water Security: Dramasi residents will be assessed for a borehole as water shortages continue; the proposed pump, tank and standpipe are part of Fiji’s response to El Niño conditions. Climate Action: Türkiye is urging wealthy nations to spend more on climate support than defence at COP31, where Pacific leaders are pressing for stronger action and finance. Waste Enforcement: Six municipal councils have issued 159 fines since Fiji’s $200 litter penalty took effect, with Nasinu recording the most. Sigatoka Sands Project: The Environment Ministry says no decision has been made on the proposed iron-sands mine and public submissions will inform its review. Landowners, the Fiji Museum and local groups have raised concerns; submissions are due October 30. Tourism and Water: A major resort warns unreliable water supplies could disrupt operations and cost more than $700,000 if guests need to be relocated.

Waste Enforcement: Fiji’s councils have issued 159 litter fines since the penalty rose to $200, with Nasinu recording the most. Sigatoka Sands Proposal: No decision has been made on the proposed iron-sands mine, the Environment Ministry says, as public submissions close on October 30. Landowners, the Fiji Museum, surfers and fishers have raised concerns; the Museum wants the project halted, while Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka warns mining could damage the river ecosystem and tourism. Water Security: InterContinental Fiji says unreliable town supplies threaten resort operations; its 1.5 million litres of storage are not enough for a property using over 300,000 litres daily. Climate Action: With COP31 approaching, Türkiye says the summit should turn adaptation plans into practical projects, especially for vulnerable small island states. Forest Conservation: Solomon Islands officials visited Fiji’s Drawa Forest project, where eight clans protect nearly 4,000 hectares and earn income through community-owned carbon credits.

Waste Enforcement: Fiji councils have issued 159 fines of $200 since tougher litter penalties began, with Nasinu recording the most at 45. Sigatoka Sands Proposal: The Environment Ministry says no decision has been made on Magma Mines’ proposed iron-sands project, and public submissions are due by October 30. Landowners, the Fiji Museum, surfers and fishers have raised concerns, including potential harm to heritage, fishing grounds and tourism; Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka opposes mining that could damage the river ecosystem. Water Security: InterContinental Fiji says unreliable town supplies threaten resort operations. The Natadola property uses more than 300,000 litres daily, and its 1.5 million litres of storage may not last through prolonged disruptions. Forest Conservation: Solomon Islands officials visited Fiji’s Drawa Forest project, where eight clans protect nearly 4,000 hectares of primary forest and earn income through community-owned carbon credits.

Water Security: Fiji’s resort sector faces growing supply risks: the InterContinental Fiji uses more than 300,000 litres a day, and its current reserves may not withstand prolonged outages. Trucking in water is not a sustainable fix, the resort’s engineering director warned. Sigatoka River: Opposition to the proposed iron-sands mine is mounting. Fiji Museum wants the project paused to assess risks to archaeological heritage; seven villages say they were not consulted on the EIA, while Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka warns damage to the river ecosystem could threaten local livelihoods and tourism. Climate Resilience: Pacific environment and meteorological officials met in Nadi with donors to coordinate support for communities facing climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. A new regional learning exchange in Bua also brought Pacific practitioners together to share community-led approaches to farming, forestry and conservation. Forest Conservation: Solomon Islands delegates visited Fiji’s Drawa project, where eight clans protect nearly 4,000 hectares of forest and earn income through community-owned carbon credits. Green Investment: UNDP says Fiji is among five countries planned for demonstration projects to turn climate commitments into investable projects, using grants, guarantees and concessional finance.

Sigatoka Mining Dispute: Fiji Museum has urged the Government to pause Magma Mines’ iron-sands project, warning that mining near the river mouth could damage archaeological and fossil sites extending beyond the Sand Dunes National Park. The Environment Ministry is reviewing the EIA, while landowners say they were not properly consulted and Minister Viliame Gavoka warns damage to the river ecosystem could hurt tourism. Mining Reform: Cabinet has endorsed proposed laws to strengthen landowner rights, improve compensation and mine safety, and tighten environmental protections. Community Conservation: Pacific practitioners gathered at an organic farm in Bua to share lasting, community-led approaches to agriculture, forestry and conservation. Solomon Islands delegates also visited Fiji’s Drawa Forest Project, where eight clans protect nearly 4,000 hectares of primary forest and earn income through carbon credits. Climate Finance: UNDP has named Fiji among countries for planned demonstration projects aimed at turning climate pledges into investment.

Nature-based Farming: Practitioners from seven Pacific countries met at a community organic farm in Bua to share ways to make nature-based solutions part of lasting community practice. Community-led Conservation: Solomon Islands delegates visited Fiji’s Drawa Forest Project, where eight mataqali protect nearly 4,000 hectares and earn income through carbon credits instead of logging. Sigatoka Mining Dispute: Surfers, fishers and landowners are opposing a proposed iron-sand mine at the river mouth, warning of risks to reefs, fishing grounds and a valued surf break. Seven villages say they were not consulted on the environmental assessment; a student has also urged the project’s rejection. Mining Law Reforms: Cabinet has endorsed proposed laws to strengthen landowner rights, improve compensation and mine safety, and increase environmental protection and transparency. Biosecurity: Fiji’s new Biosecurity Authority chief says the agency will protect agriculture, biodiversity and natural resources, alongside farmers’ livelihoods and food security. Coastal Climate Risk: The Asian Development Bank warns annual coastal flood losses across Asia and the Pacific could reach as much as $739 billion by 2100, with sea levels rising rapidly in parts of the western tropical Pacific.

Biosecurity: Nacanieli Waqa has taken over as Biosecurity Authority of Fiji chief executive, pledging stronger protection for farmers, food security and the country’s natural resources. Sigatoka Sands: Landowners from seven villages say they were not consulted on the iron-sands project’s environmental assessment and oppose mining and dredging. A student has also warned of risks to reefs, fisheries, flood-prone communities and Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. COP31: As the climate summit approaches, experts are urging governments to turn existing pledges into action, including faster clean-energy investment and stronger adaptation finance. Ocean stewardship: Pacific conservation leaders say communities and Indigenous authorities must shape conservation projects from the start. In Fiji’s Lau Province, a locally designed finance initiative followed consultation with 72 villages.

Coal and COP31: Pacific Climate Warriors challenged BHP over proposed coal expansions, warning that emissions threaten Pacific communities and the 1.5°C goal. Clean Energy: Australia will fund a Pacific Renewable Energy Commissioner to help countries turn energy plans into projects and improve access to finance. Climate-Ready Health: WHO says climate change is adding pressure to Pacific health services; seven island countries have yet to include health in their national climate plans. Community-Led Conservation: Pacific leaders say Indigenous communities must shape ocean projects, while a Fiji financing model is working with villages in Lau to support locally led conservation and livelihoods. Sustainable Tourism: At HOTEC 2026, Fiji’s tourism minister urged operators to strengthen local and regional sourcing, which can cut transport impacts and bring more benefits to communities.

Community-Led Conservation: Fijian conservation specialist Winifereti Nainoca says ocean projects must be designed with Indigenous communities, whose knowledge and priorities are vital to lasting conservation. Plastic Pollution: Fiji is reviewing its Plastics Transition Action Plan, aiming to improve waste data, reduce unnecessary plastics and expand recycling. Sigatoka Mining: Landowners oppose proposed iron-sand mining, citing risks to livelihoods, fishing rights and cultural heritage; they say consultation was inadequate and are preparing a petition. Green Finance: Fiji has a framework for identifying environmentally friendly projects, but banks and businesses need more capacity to turn it into actual investment. Forest Conservation: Regional delegates visiting the Drawa forest project heard how years of consultation helped eight landowning mataqali build local support for community-led forest management.

Plastic Pollution: Fiji is refining its Plastics Transition Action Plan, using better national data to guide waste reduction, recycling and measures to keep plastic out of rivers and oceans. Forest Protection: A five-year BAT Fiji–Fiji Hardwood Corporation partnership will grow pine and mahogany seedlings, with planting planned across about six hectares a year. Drawa’s community forest-carbon project also hosted regional delegates for a peer exchange on carbon markets and safeguards. Mining Concerns: Sigatoka landowners oppose a proposed iron-sand mine, citing fishing rights, livelihoods and gaps in consultation over the environmental assessment. They are preparing a petition. Ocean Monitoring: Fiji’s new maritime strategy aims to improve coordination and tackle illegal fishing. Solar-, wind- and wave-powered surveillance vessels could help monitor suspicious activity across the country’s vast waters. Green Finance: Fiji has a framework for identifying eligible green projects, but banks and businesses need stronger capacity to turn it into real investment.

Forest Renewal: Fiji Hardwood Corporation and BAT Fiji have signed a five-year replanting partnership, with plans to plant about six hectares of pine and mahogany each year. Clean Energy: High power bills and fuel price pressures are prompting some villagers to consider solar, highlighting Fiji’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. Fire Risk: Fiji Pine Limited is urging people to avoid fires near plantations and report smoke quickly, warning that a blaze can destroy years of growth and harm catchments and wildlife. Green Finance: The Reserve Bank says Fiji has a green finance framework, but banks and businesses still need the skills and systems to turn it into funding for environmental projects.

Renewable Energy: Rising fuel costs are pushing Rukurukulevu villagers to consider solar, as high electricity bills expose Fiji’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. A basic solar system costs about FJ$3,000. Forest Protection: A five-year BAT Fiji–Fiji Hardwood Corporation partnership will support pine and mahogany planting, with about six hectares planned annually. Fiji Pine is also urging people to prevent fires that can destroy plantations, livelihoods and wildlife. Green Finance: The Reserve Bank says Fiji has a green finance framework, but banks and businesses still need the skills and systems to turn it into funding for climate-friendly projects. Oceans: Fiji is pressing for stronger action on ocean acidification ahead of COP31, warning that increasingly acidic seas threaten reefs, fisheries and food security.

Forest Fire Risk: Fiji Pine Limited is urging landowners, farmers and road users to avoid lighting fires near plantations and to report smoke immediately. Fires can destroy years of growth and damage livelihoods, water catchments and wildlife. Ocean Protection: Fiji is calling for stronger action on ocean acidification ahead of COP31. Increasing acidity threatens coral reefs, fisheries and food security across the Pacific. Climate Stories: Five Fijians won Pacific Dataviz Challenge awards for projects on changing rainfall, rising seas and the links between tourism, energy use and sustainable development. Marine Monitoring: A four-week Fiji–New Zealand drone-vessel operation flagged 137 vessels for further scrutiny, supporting fisheries surveillance and protection of Fiji’s maritime environment.

Climate Stories: Five Fijian students won Pacific Dataviz Challenge awards for visual stories on changing rainfall, rising seas and sustainable development. Fiji is also pressing for stronger action on ocean acidification, which threatens reefs, fisheries and food security. Marine Protection: A four-week Fiji–New Zealand maritime operation used wind-, wave- and solar-powered sea drones to monitor Fiji’s waters, identify vessels for scrutiny and support fisheries and environmental surveillance. Community Conservation: Naidiri village is restoring its fishery through coral planting, while the Drawa forest project’s eight landowning units protect nearly 4,000 hectares and earn income through carbon credits. Climate Preparedness: Fiji faces up to three cyclones this season, while El Niño-driven dry conditions are straining water supplies, including on Malolo Island. Tourism: Fiji’s upcoming HOTEC trade show will include a session on environmental sustainability and local supply chains.

Greener Healthcare: Fiji’s anaesthesia teams are exploring ways to cut climate-warming gases, medical waste and single-use plastics while maintaining patient safety. Forest Protection: The community-led Drawa project in Vanua Levu is gaining regional recognition. Eight mataqali protect nearly 4,000 hectares of primary forest and earn income through carbon credits. Mining Review: The public can comment by October 30 on an environmental assessment for a proposed iron-sands mine near Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Restoring Reefs: At Naidiri, years of community-led fishing restrictions and coral planting have helped fish stocks recover, and sharks have returned to the reef. Water Stress: Malolo Island communities continue to receive emergency water supplies amid dry conditions. Plastic Pollution: A trash boom at Bailey Bridge has intercepted more than 3.3 tonnes of waste from Suva waterways, highlighting the need to address pollution before it reaches the coast.