Protecting forests at any scale requires capital and a significant expenditure like any green infrastructure project.

This was highlighted by Minister responsible for climate change Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum while speaking at the Collaborative Action in Forest to address climate change and promote sustainable development in Bonn, Germany.

Sayed-Khaiyum says there is a need for innovative finance mechanisms to protect all kinds of forests including land based forest, mangroves and sea grasses.

“Fiji looks forward to receive a report from this session which will contribute to our discussions and negotiations over the coming week and we ask you in particular to give a real thought to the needs of small island states in protecting our forests and blue carbon ecosystems.”

While many governments have implemented measures to protect forests and establish protected areas, this isn’t sufficient to avoid the destruction.

He adds there are no well-established markets or forest carbon that provide despite being critical to our very survival.