Fiji’s transport sector needs to be included in any plans to move towards renewable energy sources over traditional fuels.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has announced that Fiji will become 90% dependent on clean energy by the year 2030.
Climate Change expert and advisor to the Pacific Islands Development Forum, Dr. Mahendra Kumar says this is an ambitious target and one that should serve as an example to the region.
He adds that as government officials make plan on how Fiji will move towards renewable energy, the transport sector should be a central focus.
“Transportation sector is one of the biggest as far as the consumption of fossil fuel is concerned. It’s also the most challenging because there’s no obvious substitute for using fossil fuels in cars. Of course there are electric and hybrid vehicles which are coming online but for that you need regulations and infrastructure.”
Dr. Kumar adds we need to take another look at the coconut industry and its
potential for producing bio-fuel as an alternative to fossil fuel.
