Fiji has turned down a large waste-to-energy project being promoted by Australian businesses that would supply Vuda Point in the islands with an energy-from-waste facility and a private port facility. The Ministry of Environment announced its decision on June 4th after traditional landowners, local tourism operators, and environmental groups expressed serious concerns over how the project would affect an island nation that uses its natural environment as part of its identity.
At issue is a proposal from an Australian company, The Next Generation, to bring in almost 900,000 tons of non-recyclable waste per year and burn it to create electricity. The backers hoped the facility could generate enough energy to meet much of Fiji’s needs. The environmental media reported that there are concerns about the facility’s emissions, which could rise quickly, and that its size would dwarf the current waste produced by Fijians.
Based on the documents provided by the applicant, the Fiji Environment Department decided that the applicant did not provide enough information to assess and manage the risks or benefits of the proposed development. As a result of this conclusion, the department advised that they were not confident that they would be able to adequately assess and manage the associated risks; therefore, the application was denied.
The Fiji’s decision regarding the proposed project has implications not only for the tourism industry and Fiji’s ability to serve as a responsible steward of the environment, but it also has many impacts on society and culture. The general opinion of the community is that if Fiji becomes a destination for imported waste, both the tourism industry and Fiji’s ability to maintain its reputation as a responsible steward of the environment in the South Pacific will be harmed. The sentiment of the community was expressed succinctly by Ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini, indicating that Fiji cannot be a dump for the waste of the other countries in this region. The decision of Fiji to deny this proposal raises the broader question of how the Pacific region will balance its energy needs with its waste disposal needs while at the same time protecting the great outdoors that contribute to the personal pride and prosperity of the people of the Pacific.
