National activity: Fiji Raising the voice of communities The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (the Commission) has documented the experiences and adverse impacts of climate change on communities across Fiji. Many of these communities – whether the villages are in coastal, rural or maritime areas – have been identified by the government for relocation. In addition, the Commission worked with communities to raise awareness about the new Climate Change Act and discussed whether the law was able to adequately address their individual and collective concerns. The Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission visited 27 villages across eight of the country’s 15 provinces to hear the experiences of women, men, youth and elders. It was a time to listen and learn, to document the changes taking place and to discuss how to protect their villages from the impacts of climate change. Watch the video Snapshot: Climate change and Fiji ● ● ● ● Since 2012, six villages in Fiji have been relocated because of rising sea levels. More are expected to follow. Fiji will experience increasingly destructive storms and cyclones, as well as damage to farmlands from saltwater entering coastal villages. Higher average temperatures are expected to result in higher rates of disease among the Fijian population. The economic damages from climate change will cost Fiji approximately four percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Background Fiji, like all Pacific Island nations, is vulnerable to the escalating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, flooding and powerful storm events. In February 2016, Fiji was struck by Cyclone Winston, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones on record, which took the lives of 44 Fijians. Climate change adaptation and mitigation have since been an urgent political priority, culminating in the passage of the Climate Change Act in 2021. Under the Act, more than 40 ‘at risk’ villages across Fiji have been identified for relocation. The process for relocation was detailed in Standard Operating Procedures released by the Fijian Government in early 2023. A key aspect of the Climate Change Act is its anti-discrimination provisions. - 11 -