This ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) finds that Fiji has an advanced REDD+ policy and planning process, which has also inspired other Pacific countries to engage with REDD+. By using REDD+ financing to conserve forests, Fiji is not only contributing to climate change mitigation, but also climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. The brief notes that climate change adaptation is the highest policy priority for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Therefore, it is difficult for smaller PICs to justify the costs of developing readiness to participate in international mitigation mechanisms. However, REDD+ can help build countries’ resilience to the effects of climate change, and with funding and technical support from the international community, even small countries can make significant progress in creating policies and strategies for REDD+.
This summary was prepared by Eldis.