EMPOWERING OUR TAILEVU-NORTH LANDOWNERS
June 18, 2026
The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) wishes to clarify issues recently raised on social media about the inclusion of REDD+ provisions in conservation lease conditions and the 5% charge on proceeds from carbon unit sales.
REDD+ provisions were first introduced into lease conditions in 2009 to protect the long-term interests of iTaukei landowners. Although REDD+ was still new in Fiji at the time, TLTB took a proactive approach by including these provisions in its lease terms to ensure landowners could benefit from emerging environmental and carbon market opportunities. The measures form part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable forest management, protect natural resources, support climate change mitigation, and create future carbon financing opportunities for landowners. These provisions now apply to all new forest, conservation, catchment, hydro, and agricultural leases and are included in consultations with landowners during lease processing.
REDD+, which aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while enhancing forest carbon stocks, has since been incorporated into conservation, water catchment, and special leases. Its inclusion helps protect landowners’ interests by ensuring that conservation initiatives can deliver long-term economic benefits. It also promotes responsible land stewardship and supports national and global climate goals.
In 2024, before the lease was issued to Mataqali Nabukebuke, TLTB carried out the required due diligence process. This included thorough consultations with the landowning unit of Yavusa Nabukebuke to ensure all stakeholders were properly informed.
The 5% share of proceeds from carbon unit sales, which is not subject to TLTB deduction, was introduced to ensure fair benefit-sharing among all relevant landowning units to the landowning unit. In this case, it applies to Mataqali Nabukebuke, Naqelekautia, and Mataqali Burekalou, so that all groups with customary interests in the land can benefit fairly from carbon trading activities on the leased areas.
REDD+ provisions have been consistently applied in other conservation lease arrangements, including established initiatives such as the Sovi Basin project.
It is also important to note that there are two carbon trading markets: the regulated market under REDD+, which has now ceased, and the voluntary market. TLTB has facilitated carbon trading in the voluntary market in for landowners under the Drawa Cooperative, Macuata, for several years now.
This reflects the Board’s consistent and forward-looking policy approach to promoting sustainable land use and climate financing mechanisms.
TLTB advises landowners to be cautious of carbon cowboys operating in the country and not to enter into any agreement without first consulting TLTB and obtaining its consent.