Fiji: FCPF Implementation Support [Forest Carbon Partnership Facility] (P151209)

The development objective of Grant is to assist Fiji to carry out the Readiness Preparation Activities by supporting the preparation of its REDD+ strategy through a participatory and inclusive process, the establishment of a national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, and by producing technical work and policy advice to help strengthen sustainable land and forest management practices.
In particular, the Readiness Preparation Activities will aim to
(i) strengthen existing institutions for REDD+ through the establishment and operationalization of a Fiji National REDD+ Unit and assessment and strengthening of existing feedback, and grievance redress mechanisms (FGRMs) for REDD+;
(ii) develop National REDD+ strategy and an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which will be validated by a broad spectrum of stakeholders through the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) and be informed by several analytical studies; and
(iii) put in place a robust monitoring system for REDD+, including a preliminary national Reference Emission Level/Reference (RELIRL), national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system and a safeguards information system.
These activities will also strengthen existing forest policy, practices and management systems, information and data, partic ipatory methods and human and institutional capacity, which will support sustainable land and forest management practices.

Key Results:
- Existing institutions for REDD+ are strengthened through an operational Fiji National REDD+ Unit and a feedback, and grievance redress mechanisms (FGRM);
- A National REDD+ strategy and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) are developed and validated by a broad spectrum of stakeholders through the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA);
- A robust monitoring system for REDD+ is put in place, including a preliminary national Reference Emission Level or Reference Level (REL/RL), a national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system and a safeguards information system.
Component 1: Institutional Strengthening for REDD+ (USD 1,300,000.00). The activities under this component include:
(i) supporting the establishment and operationalization of the Fiji National REDD+ Unit, by providing them with human, technical and operational resources; and
(ii) assessing the relevant existing FGRMs and arrangements at the national and decentralized levels, strengthening the existing FGRMs and, as necessary and appropriate, establishing a new FGRM, to address any relevant feedbacks and grievances related to REDD+.
Component 2: Development of a REDD+ strategy for Fiji (US$ 1.19 million). This component will support the GoF in further developing its REDD+ strategy building on the on going processes in-country, which will help identify the best balance of land use options to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Fiji.
Component 3: Establishment of a monitoring system for REDD+ (US$ 1.65 million). The activities under this component will put in place a robust monitoring system for REDD and will include designing and developing:
(i) a Reference Emission Level/Reference (REL/RL),
(ii) a MRV system, and
(iii) a safeguards information system.

The project ensures inclusive participation, especially of Indigenous Peoples (iTaukei), who form the majority of the rural population affected by forest and land use policies. Gender inclusion is embedded through participatory consultations that ensure both men and women’s voices are included in REDD+ readiness activities and benefit-sharing discussions.

• Strengthened institutional framework for REDD+ in Fiji
- Existing institutions for REDD+ are strengthened through the establishment and operationalization of a Fiji National REDD+ Unit and assessment and strengthening of existing feedback and grievance redress mechanisms (FGRMs).
• Development of a National REDD+ Strategy and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)
- A National REDD+ strategy and an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) are developed and validated by a broad spectrum of stakeholders through the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA).
• Implementation of a robust monitoring system for REDD+
- A robust monitoring system for REDD+ is put in place, including a preliminary national Reference Emission Level or Reference Level (REL/RL), a national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system and a safeguards information system.
• Comprehensive analysis of multi-sectoral drivers of deforestation and forest degradation
- The Readiness Preparation Grant funded several studies to comprehensively assess the multisectoral drivers and underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation in Fiji, analyze forest governance and land tenure, identify and prioritize REDD+ strategy options, and assess economic, environmental and social costs and benefits.
• Integration of social and environmental safeguards
- The Safeguards Working Group was strengthened, and a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) was undertaken to ensure that social and environmental concerns are integrated into the REDD+ strategy. The SESA led to the preparation of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Inclusive and participatory stakeholder consultations
- Inclusive and participatory consultations were held across all layers of society in Fiji to discuss the multi-sectoral drivers of deforestation, benefit sharing arrangements, and safeguards.
• Enhanced national capacity for forest monitoring and carbon measurement
- Activities developed under Component 3 strengthened Fiji’s capacity to monitor and manage natural resources through the extension of the national forest inventory, enhancement of national databases and geospatial information regarding Fiji’s natural resource base.
• Strengthening of legal and policy frameworks for sustainable land and forest management
- The Readiness Preparation Activities strengthened existing forest policy, practices, and management systems, information and data, participatory methods, and human and institutional capacity, which directly support sustainable land and forest management practices.
• Support for grievance and benefit-sharing mechanisms
- Assessment of existing grievance mechanisms at national and decentralized levels, strengthening of institutions and customary mechanisms that handle grievances, and establishment of an effective FGRM for REDD+.
• Alignment with Fiji’s National Climate Change Policy and Green Growth Framework
- The REDD+ Readiness process is consistent with Fiji’s National Climate Change Policy (2012) and the Green Growth Framework for Fiji (2014), supporting the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives.

In 2015, the Programme received USD 3,800,000.00 from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) to assist with readiness activities for 2015-2019 in order to receive carbon funding for its emissions reduction program (ERP). An additional USD 2,000,000.00 was provided in 2018 by the FCPF to support more consultations and participation, institutional strengthening, capacity building, development and finalization of the National REDD+ Strategy, upgrading and further development of the Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL), a system for Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and the establishment of the Safeguards Information System (SIS).

• Establishment of a national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for REDD+.
• Development of Reference Emission Level/Reference Level (REL/RL) for monitoring carbon emissions and removals.
• Creation of a safeguards information system integrated with the MRV.
• Enhancement of national databases and geospatial information systems for forest and land management.
• Use of remote sensing, GIS and ground-based data collection technologies for forest monitoring.
• Strengthening of the national forest inventory system for improved data and reporting.
• Development of IT and data management infrastructure to integrate climate, forestry, and land use information.
• Support for carbon accounting tools and data analysis for REDD+ readiness.

• Establishment and operationalization of the Fiji National REDD+ Unit within the Ministry of Forests.
• Training and technical support for REDD+ Unit staff and related government officers.
• Strengthening of institutional and human capacity in sustainable forest and land management.
• Development of feedback and grievance redress mechanisms (FGRMs) and training on their use.
• Capacity building for local communities, landowners, and Indigenous groups (iTaukei) on REDD+ processes.
• Strengthening of the Safeguards Working Group for environmental and social safeguard management.
• Multi-stakeholder consultations and awareness programs across all provinces.
• Training in safeguards, monitoring, reporting, and verification systems.
• Institutional support for the National REDD+ Steering Committee and its technical subgroups.
• Enhancement of government capacity in policy, planning, and data analysis related to forestry and land use.
• Strengthening coordination among ministries and agencies involved in climate change and forest governance.
• Support for participatory land-use planning and sustainable forest management practices.
• Improved capacity for legal, institutional, and policy framework development for REDD+.
• Knowledge sharing and collaboration with regional organizations (SPC, GIZ, UNDP) for technical expertise.