Jobs for Nature 2.0 initiative will give 10,000 Fijians employment opportunities

10,000 Fijians will soon have the chance to generate income and at the same time contribute to mitigating climate change impacts.

This comes after the launch of the Jobs for Nature 2.0 initiative by government in partnership with World Bank.

Officiating at the launch, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says this initiative is multifaceted as it will create economic opportunities, mitigate climate risks and ensure that Fiji is reducing its carbon footprint.

He adds the project which involves a lot of planting sea-grass and mangroves is part of the Fijian government’s quest to not only address climate change issues but also create jobs.

World Bank Resident Representative for the South Pacific, Lasse Melgaard says this initiative is the coming together of community members, multiple sectors and arms of government to do work that mitigates the impact of climate change and generate income for families while also protecting the most vulnerable rural areas across the country.

Melgaard says the project is groundbreaking as it is the first green cash for work program in the Pacific bringing out the commitment of communities with government support.

The World Bank team together with the Minister for Economy and his team took time to plant native trees at Thurston Garden.

The trees will be similar to those proposed to be used during the jobs for nature initiative.