Republic of Fiji National Climate Change Policy

Abstract

Elevated greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, stratospheric ozone depletion and atmospheric aerosols are having a profound impact on global, regional and local climate systems (IPCC 2007c). Pacific Island countries and territories already experience a high level of risk from the effects of extreme weather and climate variability, and these risks could alter and increase as a result of climate change. Climate models suggest that the Pacific region will continue to warm, which could result in changes in the frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather and climate variability phenomena, and in accelerated sea-level rise. These events will also affect the already stressed marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.