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| Fiji | |
 | |
| This page is part of the Small Island Developing States Project | |
| Capital | Suva |
| Population | 944,700 |
| Land Area | 18,300 sq km |
| GDP (US$) | $3.78 B |
| GDP Per Capita | $3,900 |
| CO2 Emissions | 1.6 megatons |
| CO2 Per Capita | 2.2 tons |
| NAPA† | none |
| Natl. Comm. to the UNFCCC | May 2006 |
| † = National Adaptation Program of Action Megaton = 1 million tons (1 billion kg / 2.205 billion lb) | |
The Republic of the Fiji Islands is a small island developing state (SIDS) with a population of close to a million people and is located about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The country is composed of 332 islands, many of which are large and have high elevation. Most of the population, however, lives near the coast, making sea-level rise as a result of climate change an important risk. In addition, the Fijian economy is heavily dependent on the sugar and tourism industries, both of which are susceptible to climate change. Adaptation planning is underway in Fiji, but few projects have reached the implementation phase.
Background
Fiji lies just west of the 180° Meridian (the International Date Line) and has a total land area of 18,272 square km (7,055 sq miles). It includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited, and 522 islets. It became independent of British rule in 1970, and is now an independent parliamentary democracy. 1
Fiji's islands are volcanic formations, making the terrain primarily mountainous. The highest point on the main island reaches 1,324 m (4,344 ft). All of the islands together have 1,129 km (702 miles) of coastline.2 Over 90% of the population (850,000 people) live near the coast.3
Fiji has an oceanic tropical climate. Average daily temperatures remain relatively constant year-round at 25 °C (77 °F), only becoming a few degrees higher during the rainy season. Annual rainfall distribution on the main island of Vitu Levu is affected by the island's central mountain range. As a result, the eastern half of the island receives 3-5 meters of annual rainfall, while the western half receives 2-3 meters.4 The rainy season lasts from November to April, and Fiji is frequently affected by tropical cyclones during this period. El Niño events are associated with reduced rainfall on the islands, in part due to shifts in the typical path of tropical cyclones away from Fiji. The 1997-1998 El Niño event contributed to bringing about one of worst droughts on record.5
View Republic of the Fiji Islands in a larger map
The Fiji Electricity Authority aims to increase use of renewables to 90%.
Fiji's 2009 estimated population is 944,720, with an annual growth rate of 1.38%. More than 75% of the population lives on Vitus Levi, making it the economic and political center of the island group. Fifty-seven percent of the population is Fijian, while 38% is Indian. Sixty-four percent (64%) are Christian, 28% Hindu, and 6% Muslim. Fijian and English are the official languages.6
Fiji has one of the largest economies among Pacific island countries (PIC), and is one of PICs least dependent on foreign aid.7 The gross domestic product (GDP) of Fiji was US$3.78 billion in 2008, or US$3,900 per person. The GDP grew by 1.2% in 2008 after shrinking by 6.6% in 2007, a byproduct of the December 2006 coup.8 Even though 70% of the Fijian workforce is in the agricultural sector, agriculture and industry together account for less than 25% of GDP. The rest comes from the service sector, mostly from tourism.9 With roughly 250,000 tourists visiting the country each year, employment in the tourism sector is approximately 40,000 and stands to increase in the near future with the building of more hotels and resorts.10 Within the agricultural and industry sectors, sugar production and processing are by far the most important economic activities. Sugar processing makes up one-third of all industrial activity, and sugar is the country's primary export product. Other agricultural products produced in the country include coconuts, tapioca, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas, but these are primarily used for domestic consumption. Apart from sugar, exports include garments, gold, timber, and fish. Imports include manufactured goods, machinery, and petroleum products.11
The state-run Fiji Electric Authority (FEA) supplies the energy in Fiji. With an energy demand increasing at 5% per year for the country, Fiji needs hundreds of millions of dollars to increase its energy capacity. Even though fossil fuel-source energy comes mostly from diesel-run generators, the price of diesel has increased. FEA's goal is to provide Fiji's population with 90% renewable energy by 2011. To reach that goal, FEA undertook a major investment program consisting of several small and medium-scale renewable power plants, such as hydro, wind and biomass.12
Impacts and threats
Sea-level rise is a significant risk to Fiji. Over 90% of the population and all urban areas are located near the coast, thus exacerbating the impact of land inundation and coastal erosion. The tourism-based economy requires large portions of the population to remain on the coast, which will complicate efforts to migrate inland.13
Coral reef off the coast of Fiji
Source: Public Domain. Permission: Public Domain.Climate change increases Fiji's risk from natural disasters. Higher sea surface temperatures could lead to stronger tropical cyclones, increasing the threat of wind damage, flooding, and landslides. However, changes in sea surface temperatures could also alter the typical path of cyclones away from Fiji, which would would increase the risk of drought. Rising sea levels combined with more intense storms would magnify the risk of storm surges to coastal populations and urban areas. In addition, sea-level rise pushes the threat of tsunamis further inland.14
Increasing sea surface temperatures will also lead to an increased risk of bleaching of Fiji's extensive coral reefs. Aside from the negative impact bleaching would have on the tourism industry, this would also reduce shoreline stability, damage the coastal fisheries, and impact coastal biological diversity.15
It is uncertain how climate change will affect food and water security due to uncertainty in changes to rainfall patterns. Greater likelihood of drought, however, does increase the risk water and food shortages. Beyond these, health risks include greater likelihood of dengue fever epidemics and diarrheal disease.16
Climate change will likely hamper sugarcane production and tourism, the two main drivers of the Fijian economy. Studies suggest that likely changes in the hydrological cycle (more intense storms separated by longer droughts) will produce higher year-to-year variability in sugarcane yields, with a net decrease in production of 25%.17 This would result in significant unemployment and even deeper impoverishment for many of the 23,0000 smallholder farmers in Fiji.18 In addition, tourism will likely suffer due to coastal erosion and coral bleaching.19
Mitigation and adaptation strategies
Mitigation and adaptation strategies are essential for Fiji. By 2050, the country could experience damages of US$23 million to 52 million per year, which is equivalent to 2-3% of Fiji’s 1998 GDP.20
Mitigation
Fiji has few mitigation options because its emissions levels are very low to begin with. In 2005, per capita emissions of carbon dioxide (data for other GHGs are unavailable) were 2.0 metric tons, 47% the global average and 10% the U.S. average.21 This is in part due to Fiji producing 80% of its electricity needs through hydropower, with substantial additional generating capacity available. Biomass consumption remains high, including heavy reliance on firewood for domestic cooking.22
Increased energy efficiency and increased electricity through renewable energy sources is being pursued by the government. The Fiji Electricity Auority, which provides all energy on the main island of Vitu Levu as well as on several other islands, aims to increase use of renewable power to 90% by 2011. It aims to so, mainly through increasing exisiting wind and hydropower capacity to the grid.23 In addition,the government is adjusting import tariffs to favor more fuel-efficient vehicles and shortening the length of time between vehicle inspections. Additional renewable energy options are being implemented or tested on small scales.24
Adaptation
Fiji has not yet submitted a National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) to the UNFCCC. However, even without a formal NAPA, the Fijian government has proposed several projects aimed towards climate change adaptation, though it is unclear what the current status is of these projects. These include a national vulnerability assessment study, a watershed management project for drought-prone sugarcane growth regions, and the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme, aimed at assessing and protecting both infrastructure and ecosystems near the coast.25
Locally managed marine areas (LMMA) are a community based adaptation strategy established in Fiji to both support the survival of local communities and protect marine resources within the context of the changing climate. The first LMMA network was set up following a workshop held in Fiji in the early 1990s that introduced the idea of LMMA.26
The UNEP and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are working with the Ministry of Tourism on an adaptation project to reduce the vulnerability of the tourism industry. The project will focus on coastal areas and will aim benefit the large coastal population in addition to the tourism industry. The project is in its early stages, having established a framework but not yet at the implementation phase. The project will address three themes: disaster management and preparedness, resource management, and social and community issues. Disaster management and preparedness will include improvements in emergency plans, construction regulations, and hotel-Meteorological Service relations for better climate awareness and monitoring. Resource management will include erosion control, mangrove conservation, and improved management of water resources and coral reefs. Social and community issues will include diversifying tourism products, increasing climate change resilience in local communities, and improving community-hotel partnerships.27
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| Related Topics | |
Footnotes
1. CIA. The World Factbook. Fiji. Retrieved on: 4 June 2009.
2. CIA. The World Factbook. Fiji. Retrieved on: 4 June 2009.
3. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response. Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p. iii.
4. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p. 4.
5. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Fiji Country Case Study: Impacts and Responses to the 1997-98 El Niño Event. 2007.
6. CIA. The World Factbook. Fiji. Retrieved on: 4 June 2009.
7. The World Bank. FEA Renewable Power Development (RDP) Project. Project Information Document: Appraisal Stage. Report No. AB2584. October 2007. p. 1.
8. Fiji’s Sugar, Tourism and Garment Industries. (link broken)
9. CIA. The World Factbook. Fiji. Retrieved on: 4 June 2009.
10. Fiji’s Sugar, Tourism and Garment Industries. (link broken)
11. CIA. The World Factbook. Fiji. Retrieved on: 4 June 2009.
12. Press Release: Delegation of the European Commission for the PacificF$49M EIB Loan for FEA Hydro-power plant.
13. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.7.
14. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.4-6.
15. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.25.
16. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.26-28.
17. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response. Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.v-vi.
18. IPCC. 4th Assment Report. Working Group II. Chapter 16: Small Islands. 2007. Retreived on: 10 July 2009.
19. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.v-vi.
20. IPCC. 4th Assment Report. Working Group II. Chapter 16: Small Islands. 2007. p. 698. Retreived on: 10 July 2009.
21. WRI. CAIT tool. Retrieved on: 7 July 2009.
22. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.21.
23. Fiji Electricty Authority. Annual Report 2007.
24. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p.20-22.
25. Climate Change: The Fiji Islands Response Fijiʼs First National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2005. p. 44-46.
27. Fiji Ministry of Tourism. Adaptation to Climate Change in the Tourism Sector in the Fiji Islands. p. 11-12.
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