Fiji has taken a significant step towards bolstering its climate data capabilities, marking its first effort to compile official statistics on climate change through the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). This development comes with the launch of a two-day National Workshop on Advancing Climate Change-Related Statistics, which aims to foster collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and advocates to enhance data quality and coordination across various sectors.
FBoS chief executive officer Kemueli Naiqama emphasized the importance of reliable climate data in creating effective, evidence-based climate actions and promoting sustainable development. He noted that high-quality statistics are crucial for understanding the ongoing changes resulting from climate change and identifying vulnerable populations.
This initiative is part of Fiji’s collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), initiated in 2024, which seeks to adopt a comprehensive government approach in reflecting the multidimensional impacts of climate change on the environment, economy, infrastructure, and health.
Fiji has also seen the launch of its inaugural publications focused on climate data, including the Climate Change-Related Statistics Release and the Gender-Climate Change Nexus Data Brief. These publications represent significant efforts to measure and communicate climate trends within the nation, with particular emphasis on how climate change impacts are experienced differently across genders.
Both publications will be reviewed at the ongoing workshop to identify existing data gaps and guide future climate statistics work aimed at enhancing Fiji’s resilience to climate changes. This commitment to improving climate data not only serves local needs but also aligns with Fiji’s active participation in international climate discussions and efforts to secure necessary funding to address climate challenges.
Overall, Fiji’s proactive measures to develop climate statistics, improve data quality, and promote gender-inclusive policies reflect a hopeful outlook for the nation’s ability to respond effectively to climate change, ensuring that its actions are informed by data and driven by evidence. These initiatives place Fiji in a strong position to lead by example among Pacific nations facing similar climate threats.