Fiji is set to benefit from a US$27 million financing plan approved by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) to restore natural ecosystems and strengthen its resilience to climate change.
The announcement was made in Washington, D.C., ahead of next month’s U.N. climate talks, where small island nations are expected to push for stronger global support.
CIF confirmed that the funds will support a suite of land and marine restoration projects expected to benefit more than 80,000 Fijians. The plan is also expected to attract an additional US$20 million in co-financing from the World Bank and ProGreen, a multi-donor partnership promoting biodiversity-friendly development.
“Investing in nature is investing in a secure and prosperous future — especially for Fiji, where the natural environment underpins the economy,” said CIF Chief Executive Tariye Gbadegesin.
The initiative takes a “mountain-to-ocean” approach, targeting watershed rehabilitation, coastal protection, and marine conservation to safeguard livelihoods and biodiversity. The tourism sector is currently contributing about 40 per cent of Fiji’s economic output — and agriculture, fisheries, and forestry employing a similar share of its workforce — the plan is designed to protect the foundations of the national economy.
Fiji’s exposure to climate shocks remains severe, with cyclones and floods estimated to cost the island about five per cent of its GDP each year. Officials view the CIF financing as a practical step towards reducing these losses through nature-based infrastructure, which offers environmental and economic returns without the high costs of purely engineered defences.
“Fiji has a clear vision: to accelerate growth towards high-income status by 2050 and eliminate poverty. This ambition is inextricably linked to our climate resilience,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad.
The financing forms part of CIF’s Nature, People, and Climate programme, which aims to help developing nations scale up nature-based climate solutions. For Fiji, effective governance, transparency, and measurable outcomes will be key to ensuring that investments deliver tangible benefits for communities and ecosystems.
“Investing in nature is about securing livelihoods and competitiveness, not just conservation,” said Dr Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change. “We invite other partners to join forces with this plan and help us protect both our economy and our heritage.”