Fiji: environment

What is the weather and climate outlook for Fiji?

A strong El Niño is established in the tropical Pacific and below normal rainfall is likely across Fiji in October 2026 and from October to December 2026, according to the Fiji Climate Outlook issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service on 30 September 2026. Rainfall is also likely to be below normal from January to March 2027.

The outlook says climate models agree the event is likely to reach very strong intensity and last into early 2027, and notes that no two El Niño events have the same impacts. It is a probability forecast, not a daily forecast. The next issue is due on 30 October 2026, and past issues are on the service's climate outlook page.

Official sources: Fiji Meteorological Service: climate outlook October 2026 (PDF) · Fiji Meteorological Service: climate outlooks

What is Fiji's renewable energy target?

Fiji aims to raise renewable energy's share of electricity generation to 60% and then to 90% by 2035, according to the 2026-2027 Budget Address. The address describes an investment programme of about $2 billion by Energy Fiji Limited, including two new hydropower schemes with 50 megawatts of capacity and about 165 megawatts of solar generation with battery storage.

The target refers to electricity, not total energy use, which also includes transport fuel. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission licenses generators and regulates the electricity sector. The Fiji Meteorological Service also publishes a climate outlook for hydro-electricity generation, since rainfall affects hydro output.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026-2027 Budget Address (PDF)

What are Fiji's CO2 emissions?

Fiji emitted 1.62 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to World Bank data updated on 8 October 2026. Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding land use were 2.75 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the same source.

These are international estimates, not Fiji's own inventory, which is reported to the UN climate convention. Excluding land use and forestry leaves out carbon absorbed or released by forests, which matters for a heavily forested country. No national emissions table was found on a Fiji government site that could be read on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Fiji · World Bank: total greenhouse gas emissions, Fiji

How much CO2 does Fiji emit per person?

In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Fiji was 1.6 tonnes, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. The peak was 2.1 tonnes in 2006 and the low 1.2 tonnes in 2009. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Fiji placed 17th highest of 30. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 112th highest.

What are Fiji's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in Fiji at 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2020) to 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2006). It is 19th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 158th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Fiji use?

In 2022, the renewable share of final energy use in Fiji was 28.4%, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 42.1%; its low point was 2018, at 25.8%. It is 6th highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 18.6%. Of 53 countries with 2022 data, 28th highest.

What share of Fiji is covered by forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Fiji was 61.7% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; Fiji is 11th highest of 29. Worldwide: 26th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Fiji?

6.4 micrograms per cubic metre: that is average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Fiji for 2023, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 7.4 micrograms per cubic metre; its low point was 2014, at 5.5 micrograms per cubic metre. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Fiji placed 21st highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 177th of 192.

How much of Fiji's land is protected?

3.9%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Fiji for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 25th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 15.8%. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 192.

What is water stress in Fiji?

0.3%: that is water stress in Fiji for 2022, according to the FAO. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 13.1%; Fiji is 19th highest of 20. Worldwide: 169th of 175.