The need for stronger, climate-resilient housing and the lack of practical action following research are being highlighted as Fiji looks to expand the use of bamboo in construction.
Last week, six bamboo research reports were handed over to the Ministry of Forestry by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in partnership with the Government of Fiji.
The research was supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland through the second phase of the Low Emissions and Climate Resilient Development Programme.
Founder and CEO of Vanua Levu based Pacific Ark, Arno Roos, says bamboo structures have the potential to withstand wind speeds of up to 92 metres per second, compared with Fiji's current building code requirement of 70 metres per second.
Roos says this provides an opportunity to develop housing and other structures that are more resilient to severe weather conditions.
He says the research has already been completed and the focus should now shift towards putting the findings into practice.
Roos says local communities have been trained, and Pacific Ark is carrying out community engagement and rural development work that could support the establishment of bamboo plantations.
He says the organisation is ready to work with Government and other stakeholders to move towards building bamboo structures.
Roos says Pacific Ark is a research partner with the Ministry of Forestry, adding that several ministries could work together to support the development of the bamboo sector.
The six reports are expected to support further development of Fiji's bamboo sector and efforts towards low-emissions and climate-resilient development.
