Fiji’s draft National Climate Bill once passed will include specific legislation to incentivize projects and activities aimed to reduce carbon emissions.

Speaking at the Carbon markets in the Pacific: Practice and Potential event in Madrid, Spain last week, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said part 10 and 11 of the draft Bill sets out the provisions for Fiji to engage in the type of activities referred to in the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

He says the legislation will enable the government to pass relevant regulations to facilitate emissions reduction projects and activities through the revitalization and protection of carbon sinks and reservoirs.

“When passed the Act will open up opportunities to engage with major emerging carbon off set programs such as the International Civil Aviation Organization carbon off setting and reduction scheme for international aviation.”

He stressed that the offsetting schemes must be transparent and should incentivize transition while also redirecting finance to small vulnerable countries.

National consultations on the draft Bill is currently underway.