Suva, Fiji, August 21, 2024 – The project “Fiji Bamboo to Adapt and Mitigate Climate Change” generated great interest and positive feedback from the Fiji Ministry of Public works, Meteorological Services and Transport and Ministry of Forestry and other Steering Commitee members during its first Project Steering Committe (PSC) meeting in Suva, this week. 

Implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with an aim to support the sustainable, inclusive production and use of bamboo as a resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective construction material in Fiji, the bamboo project objectives also include economically empowering women and other marginalized groups in Fiji. 

The PSC meeting brought together relevant Fiji government stakeholders, partners, and civil societies whereby discussions centered around developing Fijian grown bamboo as an alternative construction technology that can withstand extreme weather events (example: Category 5 Tropical Cyclones) and affordable with potential to create green jobs and new business opportunities along the value-chain. 

Director Department of Buildings and Government Architects Mr. Andrew Pene said the Fiji Bamboo project paves the way forward for the construction sector.  

“It is moving bamboo into the new realms for Fiji that overseas countries are already in, progressing the technology and the ideas to use it for housing and infrastructure projects. It is an exciting time. New ideas for the community with well-based support from the participants who know what bamboo can do for the construction industry.” said Mr. Pene. 

The Fiji Ministry of Forestry also weighed in on the discussions further highlighting how the Bamboo project aligned with its Strategic Development Plans. Director Forest Product, Trade and Training Mr. Taniela Whippy pledged his support towards the initiative. 

” The Ministry also has plans for non-forest timber products and bamboo is one of those. We are gearing up for this project and our team will be ready to take part in the work planned out for this financial year” highlighted Mr. Whippy. 

The Fiji Bamboo Association said there are a lot bamboo resources available locally which are currently underutilized, adding there is potential in building industry for bamboo that can provide employment, stronger and resilient buildings. 

GGGI Country Representative for Fiji Mr. Norbert Maass said the turnout at the PSC meeting was promising. 

“We are proud to work with the Government of Fiji supporting the introduction and adoption of bamboo, more widespread as a construction material. We see it as a way to give back to communities in terms of affordable housing and of course using local materials more often such as bamboo here in Fiji.”  

Outcomes of the PSC meeting included the adoption of the project steering committee Terms of Reference (ToR) the endorsement of the Fiji Bamboo 2024 workplan, prototype bamboo structure, communication, and awareness.

About Fiji Bamboo to Adapt and Mitigate Climate Change Project 

The project is being implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute with a coalition of Government and non-Government partners both locally and internationally and supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) and Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland under the Low Emissions and Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) Phase 2 Pacific regional program.

About Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) Program  

The Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) in the Pacific Program supports Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) to transition to low-emissions climate resilient development through assistance with long-term inclusive planning and decision-making. The program entered Phase II in October 2023 and will continue to focus on policy-level support while expanding into more Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and implementing with delivery partners. Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the program is being implemented in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

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(GGGI Pacific)  

Arrabothu Dheeraj, Senior Regional Programs Officer, Pacific 

arrabothu.dheeraj@gggi.org 

(GGGI Seoul HQ)  
Mona Laczo, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit Head   
mona.laczo@gggi.org