Home / Environment / Fiji Rejects Billionaire's Rubbish Burn Plan
Fiji Rejects Billionaire's Rubbish Burn Plan
4 Jun
Summary
- Fiji rejected a plan to burn imported rubbish for energy.
- Concerns cited include environmental, health, and tourism impacts.
- The project faced opposition from landowners and tourism operators.
Fiji's government has officially rejected a proposal from Australian billionaire Ian Malouf and his business partner Rob Cromb to construct an energy-from-waste plant. The plan involved shipping approximately 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish annually from the region to Fiji and burning it for energy.
This decision follows significant backlash from local communities, traditional landowners, and the vital tourism sector, who labeled the initiative "waste colonialism." Fiji's environment ministry cited unresolved issues regarding the project's scale, the management of hazardous ash, public health risks, and the environmental impact.
Company representatives had claimed the incinerator could meet 40% of Fiji's electricity needs, reducing reliance on diesel. However, an environmental impact statement revealed the project would increase the nation's emissions by 25%, raising concerns about Fiji's eco-tourism reputation and safety, especially with hotels and schools situated nearby. The ministry emphasized that the decision was not against investment but due to the inability to adequately assess or manage the potential impacts and risks.
