No place for coal in carbon neutral economies - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the world is at a point where it does not need him to stand up and make an ethical case for wind or solar.

Speaking at the Making the Sun Shine Brighter Event in Madrid, Spain at COP25, Bainimarama says still far too many economies are proving that they are unable to kick their fossil fuel addiction – most especially to coal.

He says he knows that coal production has long served as an important pillar for many economies, providing reliable electricity and valuable jobs but there is no place for coal in carbon-neutral economies.

Bainimarama adds whether you’re buying coal, selling it, or financing coal plants at home or beyond your borders, you are part of the problem and need to fast track your transition towards energy sources that do not recklessly spew carbon into our atmosphere.
 
He says no government can gamble with a generation’s future and expect no consequences.

Bainimarama adds the voices demanding greater climate ambition – particularly the voices of the young – are growing louder and angrier by the year.

Bainimarama says Fiji is prepared to continue to do its part in the transition to solar power.

He also says Fiji has started this transition so that they can build a clean and sustainable economy that serves the short and long-term interests of every Fijian.

He says Fiji is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Bainimarama says the government is overcoming the challenges of geography by installing solar panels in rural and maritime communities, avoiding the massive costs of expanding its national grid across all of our 128 populated islands, and cultivating climate resilience in these communities.

He also says through a landmark partnership with UN Women and the Barefoot College in India, they are training Fijian women from rural communities to become solar engineers so they can take up careers maintaining solar units back in Fiji.
 
Bainimarama adds in partnership with the Indian Government, they are building a Regional Barefoot College in Fiji, equipping people with in-demand skills suited to a modern economy powered by clean energy.