The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is seeking additional funding in the upcoming national budget to strengthen environmental monitoring, improve testing capabilities and support climate change initiatives.
One of the Ministry's key priorities is increasing the number of environmental officers, to help monitor development projects and ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya says the growing number of development projects around the country has increased the need for more officers and training.
The Ministry is also seeking funding to establish a small-scale environmental laboratory.
Insert:Tabuya on submission
Environmental testing is currently carried out through university laboratories when incidents such as water contamination, oil spills or other pollution events occur.
Tabuya says having an in-house laboratory would allow for faster testing and quicker results, when environmental incidents are reported.
Another priority is the continued implementation of the Climate Change Act, particularly provisions relating to carbon markets.
Tabuya says many indigenous landowners and forest owners have shown interest in participating in carbon market opportunities, but additional funding is needed to fully implement that part of the legislation.
The Ministry is also seeking funding to repair the access road to the Naboro Landfill.
Tabuya says the road has deteriorated due to heavy use by trucks transporting waste to the site and requires urgent repairs.
She says while support is being sought from the Fiji Roads Authority, additional funding may still be required.
Tabuya says the Ministry plays a key role in securing climate funding and supporting projects related to climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation and relocation across government.
She says the Ministry hopes their priorities will receive support in the upcoming National Budget.
The 2026-2027 National Budget will be delivered at 10am tomorrow.
