Fiji Islands

i ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TA: 6039-REG REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS: COUNTRY ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Mainstreaming Environmental Considerations in Economic and Development Planning Processes (FINAL DRAFT) Prepared by: James T. Berdach February 2005 The views expressed in this document are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent positions of the Asian Development Bank or the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. ii CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 15 November 2004) Currency Unit – Fiji Dollars (FJD) FJD 1.00 = $0.5955 $1.00 = FJD 1.6793 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS ADB – Asian Development Bank ADTA – advisory technical assistance ALTA – Agricultural Landlord Tenant Act BOD – biochemical oxygen demand CDM – Clean Development Mechanism CEA – Country Environmental Analysis CHARM – Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Management CLIMAP – Climate Change Adaptation Program for the Pacific CSP – Country Strategy and Program CSPU – Country Strategy and Program Update DOE – Department of Environment DPP – Director of Public Prosecution DRRF – Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Fund EEZ – Exclusive Economic Zone EIA – environmental impact assessment EMB – Environment Management Bill EU – European Union FBSAP – Fiji Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan FEA – Fiji Energy Authority FEU – Forestry Economics Unit FIMSA – Fiji Islands Marine Safety Administration FLMMA – Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area FRUP – Fiji Road Upgrading Project FSC – Fiji Sugar Corporation GDP – gross domestic product GEF – Global Environment Facility GHG – greenhouse gas ha – Hectare ICT – information and communications technology IFI – international financial institution IPP – independent power provider km – Kilometer km2 – square kilometer KPI – key performance indicator LC – Local Council m – Meter matagali – indigenous land use area/group MDG – Millenium Development Goal iii MPA – marine protected area MWh – megawatt-hour NCLP – National Code of Logging Practices NDMO – National Disaster Management Office NEDC – National Economic Development Council NES – National Environment Strategy NGO – non-governmental organization NLTB – Native Land Trust Board OCR – ordinary capital resources ODS – ozone-depleting substance OHS – occupational health and safety OP – Operational Program PARD – Pacific Department PDMC – Pacific Developing Member Country PICCAP – Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Project PPTA – project preparation technical assistance PRES – Pacific Region Environmental Strategy PWD – Public Works Department qoliqoli – indigenous ocean use area/group ratu – high chief REEP – Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program RESCO – renewable energy service company RET – renewable energy technology RETA – regional technical assistance SDB – Sustainable Development Bill SDP – Strategic Development Plan SIDS – Small Island Developing State SME – small and medium-size enterprise SOPAC – South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission SPC – Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPREP – South Pacific Regional Environment Programme SPSO – South Pacific Subregional Office TAC – total allowable catch TBT – tributyl tin UNCCD – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNDP – United Nations Development Programme UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USP – University of South Pacific WSSD – World Summit on Sustainable Development WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature NOTE In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. iv Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank the many people who contributed directly or indirectly to the production of this report. Mr. Edy Brotoisworo of ADB’s Pacific Department (PARD) in Manila, has ably directed the overall project effort. Mr. K. Kannan, also of PARD, shared his local knowledge of Fiji and provided guidance for structuring of the work plan for the analysis. Ms. Ophelia Iriberri (PARD), who joined the mission to Fiji, provided logistical support. Mr. Lope Calanog, ADB consultant, had principal responsibility for preparing an early draft of this document, and did much of the groundwork necessary for obtaining important background information. The staff of the South Pacific Subregional Office (SPSO) in Suva, led by Ms. Sirpa Jarvenpaa, and including Ms. Sophia Ho, Mr. Christopher Wensley, and all the SPSO administrative personnel, gave their full support for the project, and were most helpful in providing up-to-date details about the status of ADB’s country program. Sincere thanks are extended to Mr. Tevita Banuve, CEO of Ministry of Finance and National Planning; Mr. Cama Tuiloma, CEO of the Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Squatter Settlement & Environment; and Mr. Epeli Nasome, Director of the Department of Environment, for the courtesy and cooperation they showed as the key counterparts for the project, and points-of- contact within government. Great appreciation is expressed to Ratu (High Chief) Osea Gavidi, who volunteered his efforts in helping to arrange for important contacts with key stakeholders, especially within the traditional community and the tourism sector. Ms. Ana Koiviralobe of the Department off Environment, and Ms. Angela Thomas, served as project administrative assistants, and provided logistical support and conducted research that contributed to the analysis. Finally, the author expresses the deepest gratitude to the many stakeholders in the Fijian government, NGOs, regional inter-governmental institutions, community-based groups, academia, and private sector, who gave freely of their time to contribute their views and knowledge through the consultation process. For them, the challenging task and hard work of building a sustainable future through effective environmental mainstreaming is only in its early stages. Vinaka vakalevu veikemuni kecega, ena nomuni veivuke, kei na nomuni lomasoli! v CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 II. METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANALYSIS ...........................................................................2 III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION.......................................................................................2 A. Country Setting ........................................................................................................2 B. Role of Environment and Natural Resources in the Economy.................................3 C. Key Environmental Issues and Challenges .............................................................4 1. Land Use and Management ....................................................................................4 2. Forest Resources ....................................................................................................7 3. Marine and Coastal Resources ...............................................................................8 4. Biodiversity Resources..........................................................................................10 5. Mineral and Groundwater Resources....................................................................13 6. Water Resources...................................................................................................13 7. Urbanization ..........................................................................................................15 8. Pollution and Waste Management ........................................................................16 9. Tourism Development...........................................................................................17 10. Energy Sector........................................................................................................18 11. Natural Hazards and Disaster Management .........................................................20 12. Climate Change.....................................................................................................21 D. Policy, Regulatory, and Institutional Framework....................................................24 1. Policy Framework for Sustainable Development...................................................25 2. Legal and Regulatory Framework .........................................................................26 3. Institutional Framework for Environmental and Natural Resources Management 28 IV. PRIORITIES FOR ACTION .............................................................................................31 A. Recent Environmental Record...............................................................................31 B. Environmental Information and Data Needs..........................................................32 C. Review of Country Strategy and Program (CSP) and Country Strategy and Program Update (CSPU).......................................................................................34 1. Strategic Priorities.................................................................................................35 2. Assessment of Environmental Impacts .................................................................36 3. Coordination with Other Funding Institutions ........................................................38 4. Conclusions and Recommendations.....................................................................39 vi List of Tables and Figures Table 1 Fiji’s GDP By Activity at Constant Prices of 1995 at Factor Cost (FJD thousands) ........ 4 Table 2 Type of Land Tenure/Ownership in Fiji Islands ................................................................ 5 Table 3 Estimate of Fiji Islands’ Forest Resources

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