A Next Generation of Climate Laws in Fiji and The Pacific - Exploring the Role and Value of The Climate Change Act 2021 (Fiji)

In 2021, the Fijian parliament passed a comprehensive, ambitious new climate law: the Climate Change Act 2021. Framework climate legislation like this is being introduced around the world to frame and coordinate governmental responses to climate change under the international Paris Agreement. The Fiji example builds on best practice approaches internationally and has significant potential to strengthen domestic climate governance and help channel international climate finance to key areas of need. Yet its effective implementation relies heavily on the resources, capacity and political will of government and the engagement of other stakeholders, such as civil society and the private sector. This report draws on a research workshop involving key government and non-government stakeholders held in Suva in July 2023, as well as experiences implementing framework climate laws in other relevant jurisdictions, to discuss emerging barriers and challenges to the effective implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021. The discussion is intended as a foundation for the development of further applied research activities which can support policymakers and decision-makers across the Fiji government to develop and deliver processes, engage stakeholders, access data and other inputs to facilitate effective implementation of the legislation as part of Fiji’s evolving domestic climate change governance.