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Pacific webinar showcases regional progress in Waste-to-Energy development
The Pacific region has taken another important step towards advancing sustainable energy and waste management solutions through a regional webinar titled “Overview and Learnings from the Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Baseline Assessment.”
Hosted under the Pacific Adoption of Waste-to-Energy Solutions (PAWES) Project, the session was coordinated by the Pacific Community (SPC) and brought together 36 participants from across government, academia, and the private sector to explore pathways for integrating Waste-to-Energy systems into national strategies.
“This initiative is about turning challenges into opportunities, transforming waste management issues into clean energy solutions for a more sustainable Pacific,", Ms. Christine Deo-Reddy, SPC's PAWES Project Manager.
A Regional Effort for a Cleaner, More Energy-Secure Pacific
In her opening address, Ms. Christine Deo-Reddy, Project Manager of the PAWES Project under SPC’s Georesources and Energy Programme, welcomed participants and outlined the project’s dual focus:
- Supporting Pacific governments in making evidence-based decisions on Waste-to-Energy development, and
- Strengthening tertiary education institutions to enhance training and research in Solid Waste Management (SWM), Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs), and WtE innovation.
The PAWES project is co-funded by the Pacific Community (SPC) and the ACP Innovation Fund, under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Research and Innovation Programme. This programme is implemented by the OACPS with financial support from the European Union. The project is led by SPC in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in five pilot countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.
“Our collaboration across the region and with global experts is helping shape a Pacific-specific model for sustainable Waste-to-Energy adoption," Ms. Deo-Reddy.
Global Expertise from Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
The webinar featured expert presentations by Grant Thornton (GT) Bharat LLP, the international consultancy commissioned to peer-review the WtE baseline reports. GT Bharat brings over two decades of experience in climate change, energy transition, and carbon markets, supporting development agencies and governments across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
Mr. Manoj Bansal, Partner at GT Bharat LLP, introduced the firm’s Climate and Energy Team, which supports more than 40 countries with services in decarbonization, MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) systems, and energy efficiency. Their global experience includes NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) implementation, climate transparency reporting, and national mitigation planning.
“The Pacific region may contribute minimally to global emissions, but it is leading through ambition and innovation,”, Mr. Manoj Bansal, Partner, GT Bharat LLP
Energy Transition and Climate Change Mitigation in the Pacific
Delivering a detailed overview of the energy transition and climate change mitigation landscape in the Pacific, Mr. Esambadi Nand Gopal, Director at GT Bharat LLP, highlighted both the progress made and the ongoing challenges faced by Pacific Island countries.
The region’s 13.4 million people, spread across 30,000 islands, account for just 0.03% of global GHG emissions, yet face the world’s most acute climate threats.
Countries are pursuing ambitious national targets:
- Fiji: Nearly 100% renewable electricity by 2030
- RMI: Net-zero emissions by 2050
- Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: 100% renewable electricity generation
- Nauru, Palau, and Tonga: Expanding solar, hydropower, and biofuel technologies
Mr. Gopal also noted the growing momentum in transport decarbonization, from electric vehicle adoption to maritime biofuel initiatives such as the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST).
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Mrs. Sambita Ghosh, Associate Director at GT Bharat and a certified Nature-based Solutions (NbS) practitioner, discussed the Pacific’s adaptation needs and resilience priorities.
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, the Pacific faces annual adaptation finance needs estimated at US$4.8–5.1 billion. Key priority sectors include coastal zone management, food security, health, biodiversity, and gender equality.
Mrs. Ghosh called for greater regional collaboration to scale up climate-smart agriculture, reforestation, and ecosystem-based adaptation, alongside improved data and institutional capacity to access global climate finance.
“Nature-based and community-led solutions will be central to building climate resilience in Pacific Island countries,”, Mrs. Sambita Ghosh, GT Bharat LLP
Findings from the Waste-to-Energy Baseline Assessment
The most anticipated segment of the webinar was the presentation of key findings from the WtE Baseline Assessment by Mr. Amit Seth, Manager at GT Bharat LLP. The assessment reviewed national waste systems and energy profiles in the five pilot countries, recommending targeted MRF and gasifier installations.
Proposed WtE Capacities and Outputs:
|
Country |
Proposed Gasifier Capacity |
Projected Annual Energy (MWh) |
|---|---|---|
|
Solomon Islands |
485 kWe |
2,379 |
|
Samoa |
540 kWe |
3,413 |
|
RMI |
700 kWe |
4,111 |
|
Tuvalu |
25 kWe |
95 |
|
Papua New Guinea |
1,340 kWe |
7,089 |
|
Total (Region) |
3,135 kWe |
17,087 MWh |
The report also recommends:
- Strengthening waste legislation and enforcement
- Promoting the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover)
- Establishing national WtE taskforces
- Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for MRFs
- Enhancing regional training and technical exchanges
“Transforming waste into clean energy is not only an environmental necessity — it’s an economic opportunity for Pacific nations,” Mr. Amit Seth, GT Bharat LLP
Discussion and Regional Collaboration
The open discussion saw lively exchanges among participants.
Mr. Shalend Singh, Head of Services at Lautoka City Council, inquired about waste generation data and potential funding models. Mr. Seth clarified that per capita waste data is based on municipal solid waste and incorporates multiple waste streams, including organics, plastics, and recyclables.
Fiji’s contribution to the PAWES initiative was also spotlighted through a student-led biodiesel project at the University of the South Pacific (USP), converting used cooking oil into biodiesel. A first-generation biodiesel generator will be installed at a resort in Nadi later this year, with potential to expand regionally.
Other participants suggested integrating WtE systems alongside new landfill developments — particularly in Fiji’s Western Division (Sigatoka to Rakiraki) — to enhance regional waste treatment and energy generation.
Strong Feedback and Future Directions
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Most rated the webinar as Excellent, praising both technical depth and presentation quality. The most popular sessions were the Key Findings from the WtE Baseline Assessment and the Overview of SPC’s Publications, reflecting keen interest in regional data and applied solutions.
Recommendations included:
- More frequent updates on WtE projects
- Additional thematic webinars
- Closer alignment with education and TVET green curriculum initiatives
Ms. Deo-Reddy concluded by thanking participants for their engagement and reaffirmed SPC’s commitment to advancing sustainable WtE solutions across the Pacific. She emphasised that the baseline findings will directly inform upcoming activities, including pilot demonstrations, training programs, and Phase 2 project planning.
“The results of this assessment will guide national and regional strategies, from policy development to pilot implementation,”Ms. Christine Deo-Reddy, SPC.
Towards a Sustainable Waste-to-Energy Future
The WtE Baseline Assessment Webinar represents a key milestone for the PAWES Project and for the Pacific’s broader energy transition and circular economy goals.
By combining scientific evidence, global expertise, and regional cooperation, the initiative is helping Pacific Island countries turn waste management challenges into renewable energy opportunities.
As the PAWES Project continues to expand its partnerships and pilot activities, it reinforces the region’s shared vision, a low-emission, resource-efficient, and resilient Pacific future.
For more information and access to PAWES publications, visit the SPC PAWES Project Webpage.
