FIJI is still committed to achieving its global mission that was established at COP23 in 2017, says Minister for Meteorological Services and Disaster Management Jone Usamate.
While speaking in Nadi yesterday, he said the need to achieve its global mission was even more important now as the impact of climate change continued to be more apparent.
“Our country is vulnerable to extreme weather events such as severe tropical cyclones and floods and continues to create havoc to our society and economy,” Mr Usamate said.
“You can agree with me that we are experiencing an increase in tropical cyclones that directly affect the country.
“The more tropical cyclones we have, the greater the impact on our economy.
“The Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) reports conducted by the World Bank for Tropical Cyclone Evans in 2012 and Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016 have confirmed this important finding.
“The total economic value of the disaster effects caused by TC Evan in 2012 is estimated at about $194.9 million while the estimated value of disaster effects arising from TC Winston in 2016 is $1.99 billion.
“The increase in damage costs will continue to grow into the future and it is important that we continue to build our level of resilience against the impacts of climate change.”
He said Fiji’s commitments made at COP23 was further lamented in Poland last year.
“Under the leadership of prime minister as the president of COP23, the Paris rule book was successfully delivered at COP24 in Poland.
“This rulebook provides the necessary guidance to nations across the globe about their commitments.” to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 Degrees Celcius.
“We will continue to pursue this global agenda in reducing of the greenhouse gas emissions.”
