The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Sakiusa Tubuna has called on all Fijians to be good stewards of our planet.
As responsible habitants, he said that we have the responsibility to make informed choices, sustainable consumption patterns in order to reduce the amount of waste we produce.
Hon. Tubuna made these remarks while officiating at the Recycle Organics Program workshop held at the Tanoa Plaza yesterday morning.
The workshop, facilitated through the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), with support from the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) and ImplementaSur, currently supports 14 developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world, accelerating mitigation projects in the waste sector to bring them closer to reaching their climate goals.
The Program creates a sustainable expansion of waste management technologies and develops a community of practice within the regions it supports.
In his address, the Assistant Minister stated that waste management and reduction remains a global issue and despite numerous investments in research, technology advancements and increased levels of literacy globally, it still remains a planetary crisis.
“Fiji is committed to the global efforts to slow down climate change and limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees celsius. Most recently Fiji has also signed the Global Methane Pledge and has joined 149 other countries in committing to reduce 30% of its Methane emissions by 2030,” Hon Tubuna further added.
“Alternative treatments of waste can have significant benefits for our country. Not only will it reduce harmful methane emissions, but will also contribute to uses of composting facilities through production of organic fertilizers substituting overused chemical fertilizers”.
Hon. Tubuna revealed that projections in the waste sector shows that emissions are expected to increase by 255% by 2050 therefore, it is necessary to increase our ambition and accelerate action.
He also highlighted that Fiji has developed a number of projects and initiatives from composting plants to biogas programs run by cities, towns, schools and private companies in a bid to reduce emissions from the waste sector.
“By collaborating with the Recycle Organics network, Fiji will benefit from the technical support and will be able to share and learn the best practices from the experience of a network of 12 countries,” Hon Tubuna said.
On behalf of the Coalition Government, Hon. Tubuna expressed his gratitude to the Government of Canada through the Recycle Organics program and development partners for complementing the efforts of the Fiji Government towards a cleaner and safer environment committing to change the mindsets of those in our communities, business and individuals towards recycling.
