A/HRC/43/53/Add.1 presided over the twenty-third session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It was one of the first countries in the world to develop a 2050 pathway to decarbonize the economy, consistent with the goal of the Paris Agreement to achieve climate neutrality and a low-emission world. Its Planned Relocation Guidelines have an admirable human rights focus, as does its National Climate Change Policy 2018–2030. 46. As part of his visit, the Special Rapporteur travelled to the village of Vunidogoloa, on the island of Vanua Levu. Vunidogoloa was relocated inland in 2014 because seawater was inundating homes and crops in their idyllic oceanside location, causing coconut, breadfruit and banana trees to die. A village leader showed where his childhood home had been located, pointing out concrete pads and wooden posts that were submerged under about 30 centimetres of water. The Special Rapporteur saw the remnants of a stone seawall built in 1978 to protect the village, largely destroyed by the relentlessly encroaching ocean. The village leader’s voice cracked as he said, “We thought we would live here forever.” 47. The graves of the villagers’ ancestors had been left behind. Although the relocation process was deeply painful for Vunidogoloa residents, the new village site offers improved housing conditions, better sanitation, solar-powered electricity (although currently limited to one small panel per home), and improved access to health care and education. The new site was selected by the community and subjected to an environmental impact assessment. 48. Several other villages have already been moved, several more moves are in progress, and at least 40 additional communities are awaiting relocation. Fiji had developed the Planned Relocation Guidelines to ensure that the rights and dignity of persons involved are respected. Relocation is appropriately viewed as a last resort and is only contemplated at the request of an affected village and after an extended collaborative process. 49. During a meeting with 15 Fijian schoolchildren in Suva, the Special Rapporteur heard first-hand accounts of their concerns about the environment they are inheriting and how important a healthy planet is to them. Climate change dominated the conversation. One young girl spoke about her family’s custom of going to a beach near her village for picnics, but said, “Now it’s scary sometimes when the waves come.” This child’s anxiety highlights the negative impact of climate change on mental health. The children spoke with one voice in calling for adults and Governments to work hand in hand to stop causing climate change in order to safeguard their future. 50. Fiji is not only exercising leadership through international advocacy on climate change but also implementing mitigation and adaptation actions domestically pursuant to its National Climate Change Policy (2012), National Adaptation Plan Framework, NDC Implementation Roadmap and National Climate Change Policy 2018–2030. The National Climate Change Policy 2018–2030 offers a compelling vision of a resilient and prosperous Fiji, in which the well-being of current and future generations is supported and protected by a socially inclusive, equitable, environmentally sustainable, net-zero emissions economy. The first pillars of the policy are that it is human rights based and gender responsive. A national climate change bill has been drafted, which will provide an essential legislative framework to guide and implement the many commitments, policies and programmes of Fiji, ensuring transparency and accountability. 51. The climate vulnerability assessment of Fiji identified five priority areas for intervention, including: guiding urbanization towards safe areas and developing climateresilient housing; improving infrastructure in the areas of flood prevention, electricity, water and sanitation, transport, and education and health-care facilities; supporting climatesmart agriculture and fisheries; strengthening the conservation of ecosystems, especially native forests, mangroves and coral reefs; and building resilience by reducing poverty, improving disaster preparedness, increasing access to affordable health care and closing the gender gap. 52. Examples of actions taken to tackle climate change include the Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy, investments in and tax breaks for new sources of renewable energy, a solar homes programme, a green bond that raised F$ 100 million and incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles. The Levy applies to a variety of goods and services, including plastic bags, hotels, restaurants, bars, large engines, very high-income earners (10 per cent on income above F$ 270,000 per year) and yacht docking fees. In 2018, the Levy generated more than F$ 100 million. These funds should be dedicated exclusively 10

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents