Executive Producer:Lun Pui-ki
Every journey can be a transformative experience, inspiring new ways of thinking and action. This four-episode programme will explore the impact of the climate crisis by visiting the island nation of Fiji, which has been profoundly affected by climate change and rising sea levels. Mitigation and adaptation strategies employed by the local government and indigenous villagers, Chinese research teams, and the United Nations organizations will be examined, providing a close look at the intimate relationship between humans and nature.
The host will also journey to Dubai to attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, capturing firsthand accounts and engaging in discussions with expert guests to explore solutions to the climate crisis, centred around ESG, green finance and youth education.
Hosts: Natalie Chung, Calvin Lau
Fiji, often acclaimed as a tropical paradise, is an island nation situated between Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific. Coral reefs, nurtured by its natural environment, serve as habitats for a myriad of precious marine life. However, this country is grappling with an impending climate crisis. The rising sea levels are poised to displace coastal communities and wreak havoc on industries vital to the local economy, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Ultimately, climate change and extreme weather events will only exacerbate food insecurity and poverty in Fiji.
During the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23), held under the presidency of the Fijian government, Fiji spearheaded the negotiations and pledged to achieve 100% renewable energy usage by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. How is Fiji actively working towards these goals on multiple fronts? Furthermore, how does the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office support the local government's initiatives by facilitating the launch of blue finance projects and nature-based solutions to counteract and adapt to the impacts of climate change?
Fiji, a Pacific Island Country with deep-rooted ties and longstanding diplomatic relations with China, has seen significant collaboration under the Belt and Road cooperation agreement. In 2023, the "China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center (CPICJTDC)" was inaugurated in Fiji. This centre focuses on the cultivation of Juncao, a fungal grass lauded as the "grass of wealth" and the "grass of happiness," with China possessing and sharing the original planting technology. This innovative application substantially bolsters the Pacific island countries' ability to ensure food security and combat climate change, setting a remarkable precedent for global sustainable development. How are China and Fiji working together through this groundbreaking project to address the challenges posed by climate change?
Interviewees include:
1/ Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the Fiji Government
2/ Patrick Tuimalealiifano, Deputy Team Leader, Inclusive Growth, UNDP Pacific Office
3/ H.E.Ambassador Zhou Jian
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji
4/ Lin Xing-sheng
Specialist, China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center
Host: Natalie Chung
Climate change worsens extreme weather events and continues to raise sea levels, with small island developing states bearing the brunt. Vio Island, a small island off the west coast of Fiji's largest island Viti Levu, serves as the first community pilot site for the rural electrification project initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project aims to provide electricity to 4% of the Fijian population currently without energy access, through generating renewable energy like solar power. How does rural electrification bring about transformative change to the local villagers? In response to the rising frequency of tropical cyclones, coastal communities grow mangroves and build nature-based seawalls. How do they leverage traditional wisdom to enhance local adaptation efforts?
Education is key to addressing climate change. The University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji, is one of the most prestigious tertiary education institutions in the Pacific region. With the goal of nurturing the next generation and carrying out policy-relevant environmental research, the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD) has been established. Meanwhile, the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) in Nadi offers a diverse range of industry-related technical courses for youth, promoting infrastructure development and advancing sustainable shipbuilding. How do these institutions complement each other in advancing both theoretical and vocational knowledge to strengthen climate action?
1/ Dr. Awnesh Singh, Associate Professor and the Acting Director of the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD), University of the South Pacific (USP)
2/Aporosa Silatolu, Director, Centre for Appropriate Technology & Development
3/ Brent Hill, CEO, Tourism Fiji
Host: Natalie Chung
Fiji, often acclaimed as a tropical paradise, is an island nation situated between Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific. Coral reefs, nurtured by its natural environment, serve as habitats for a myriad of precious marine life. However, this country is grappling with an impending climate crisis. The rising sea levels are poised to displace coastal communities and wreak havoc on industries vital to the local economy, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. Ultimately, climate change and extreme weather events will only exacerbate food insecurity and poverty in Fiji.
During the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23), held under the presidency of the Fijian government, Fiji spearheaded the negotiations and pledged to achieve 100% renewable energy usage by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. How is Fiji actively working towards these goals on multiple fronts? Furthermore, how does the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office support the local government's initiatives by facilitating the launch of blue finance projects and nature-based solutions to counteract and adapt to the impacts of climate change?
Fiji, a Pacific Island Country with deep-rooted ties and longstanding diplomatic relations with China, has seen significant collaboration under the Belt and Road cooperation agreement. In 2023, the "China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center (CPICJTDC)" was inaugurated in Fiji. This centre focuses on the cultivation of Juncao, a fungal grass lauded as the "grass of wealth" and the "grass of happiness," with China possessing and sharing the original planting technology. This innovative application substantially bolsters the Pacific island countries' ability to ensure food security and combat climate change, setting a remarkable precedent for global sustainable development. How are China and Fiji working together through this groundbreaking project to address the challenges posed by climate change?
Interviewees include:
1/ Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the Fiji Government
2/ Patrick Tuimalealiifano, Deputy Team Leader, Inclusive Growth, UNDP Pacific Office
3/ H.E.Ambassador Zhou Jian
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Fiji
4/ Lin Xing-sheng
Specialist, China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center
Host: Natalie Chung