Tonga Low Emission Development Strategy 2021-2050

1.1 Country profile 15 5.2 Existing policies frameworks and commitment to 98 climate adaptation

1.2 GHG emissions profile 16

5.3 Synergies between mitigation and adaptation identified 100

1.3 Narrative description of relevant legal and institutional frameworks 17 throughout the stakeholders consultation process

1.4 Why a LT-LEDS for Tonga? 20

1.5 Process, principles, and macrotrends 21 6 GOVERNANCE, MONITORING & REVIEW 104 2 COMMITMENT STATEMENT 24 Reference list 108

2.1 The vision 25 Annex A. Consultation list 110

2.2 Sector visions 25 Annex B. Process governance 114 Annex C. Relevant legislation and policy 115 3 Key short, medium and long term climate actions 26

3.1 Introduction 27

3.2 Energy 28

3.3 Transport 38

3.4 AFOLU 52

3.5 Waste 66

3.6 Human Settlements 76 4 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Government of Tonga would like to acknowledge and thank the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for their kind and generous support in the development of our LT-LEDS. The development of this LT-LEDS has been led by the Department of Climate Change (DCC) under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), with technical assistance provided by ClimateWorks Australia, Global Green Growth Institute and Relative Creative, and on the ground support from a team of invaluable facilitators and national experts. DCC and the consulting team extend their warm and heartfelt gratitude to members of the Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP) Technical Team and Technical Working Groups, and all workshop participants and stakeholders consulted throughout the process. Malo ‘aupito. List of Figures Figure 1. Estimated greenhouse gas emissions by sector (2006) 16 Figure 2. Proposal for harmonized revision cycles of Tonga’s NDCs and LT-LEDS 106 Figure 3. Institutional Arrangements for LT-LEDS Development 114 Cataloguing Data This publication (and any material sourced from it) should be attributed as: Government of Tonga. 2021, Tonga Low Emission Development Strategy 2021-2050, Nuku’alofa, Tonga Document Design Relative Creative Image Credits Front & back cover image: Aerial view of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. All images are credited to the Mitigation Division, Department of Climate Change, Tonga. Image (opposite page): Women laying out ngatu at a local residence in Fasi, Tongatapu. Taken in 2020. 6 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank MORC Ministry of Revenue and Customs AFOLU Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use MOT Ministry of Tourism AGC Agricultural Growth Committee MPAs Marine Protected Areas BAU Business as Usual MPD Marine Ports Division CAD Civil Aviation Division MTED Ministry of Trade and Economic Development CBOs Community Based Organisations NCCCC National Climate Change Coordination Committee CDPs Community Development Plans NDC Nationally Determined Contribution COP UNFCCC Conference of Parties NEMO National Emergency Management Office CSO Civil Society Organisation NGHGI National Greenhouse Gas Inventory DCC Department of Climate Change NGOs Non-Government Organisations DOE Department of Energy NIIP II National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2, 2013-2023 E&S Environmental and Social NIIP-3 Tonga National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2020-2030 EAP Education Awareness Plan NSPAO National Spatial Planning Agency Office EE Energy Efficiency PAT Ports Authority Tonga EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone PMO Prime Minister’s Office EU European Union RE Renewable Energy EVs Electric Vehicles SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation SDG Sustainable Development Goal FBO Faith-based Organisation SMAs Special Management Areas Forest Management Plan (Management Plan for the Forests and Tree SOE State-owned enterprise FMP Resources of Tonga) SPREP Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme GCF Green Climate Fund TASF Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan 2016-2020 GDP Gross Domestic Product TC Tropical Cyclone Gg Gigagram TCCP Tonga Climate Change Policy (2016) GHG Greenhouse Gas TEEMP Tonga Energy Efficiency Masterplan GoT Government of Tonga TERM Tonga Energy Road Map ICT Information and Communications Technology TERMPLUS Tonga Energy Road Map, 2021 - 2035 IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change TNC Third National Communication (2019) Joint National Action Plan 2 on Climate Change & Disaster Risk JNAP2 TNFP Tonga National Forest Policy 2009 Management 2018-2028 TMPI Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative J-PRISM II on Solid Waste Management, Phase II TPL Tonga Power Limited LED Light Emitting Diode TSD Tonga Statistics Department LT-LEDS Long-term, low-emission development strategy TSDF II Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Food, & Forests TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change MEIDECC Climate Change and Communications UNCTCN United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network MFAT New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade WAL Waste Authority Limited MIA Ministry of Internal Affairs MLNR Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources MOF Ministry of Finance MOI Ministry of Infrastructure 8 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate • Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Change (IPCC) Working Group I Sixth (AFOLU) and Fisheries: A resilient Fisheries Assessment Report (2021) shows that the and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use world will probably reach or exceed 1.5 degrees Tonga through low emissions, low costs and Celsius of warming within the next two sustainable systems. decades. Tonga is already experiencing the • Waste: A resilient, sustainable and educated impacts of climate change and this warming Tonga, achieved through effective education world, including increased intensity of climate and sustainable waste management. and weather extremes. An international • Human Settlements: Building a resilient and solution is needed to address this international autonomous Tonga through transformation challenge. While respecting common but and strengthening of all sectors. differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities, the Kingdom of Tonga will play its These sector pathways, their related actions A low part in supporting the reduction of Greenhouse and steps were guided by seven principles Gas (GHG) emissions in support of the long- important to the Tongan people: For the term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. purposes of the LT-LEDS, these were defined by stakeholders as environment, inclusivity, The Government of Tonga puts forth a long- autonomy, culture, traditional knowledge, emissions term low-emission development strategy (LT- education and core values. LEDS) that aspires to: A low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create The implementation of the LT-LEDS, its sector resilience, autonomy and self-reliance. pathways and actions will start straight away Tonga, where with the initiation of nine first steps that will This will require concerted and comprehensive advance Tonga towards its vision. In doing so, efforts from all facets of society: government, climate-resilience and adaptation co-benefits public enterprise, private sector, and civil will be integrated with pathways, actions and society. Tonga will also continue to work steps. all sectors actively in international forums to strengthen consensus among countries to tackle Finally, Tonga is committed to coordinating climate change, and collaborate actively with processes for its LT-LEDS and future NDCs, international partners to build capabilities and with the aim of creating alignment between share experiences. long- and short-term actions. This will work together avoid duplication of efforts and allow for Tonga will pursue the sectoral pathways and regular exchange of information between actions outlined in this document, while also the two documents. Alignment will occur pursuing climate-resilience and adaptation under institutional arrangements, systems to create efforts. In addition to the stated vision, Tonga’s for monitoring and assessing progress, and LT-LEDS is guided by 5 sector pathways, each revisions or review cycles. with a series of actions: While Tonga’s efforts alone may seem modest, • Energy: A Tonga that promotes standards efforts in delivering this LT-LEDS will be resilience, that establish renewable energy, energy substantial and demonstrate leadership in efficient infrastructure and battery storage helping to achieve a long-term, low-carbon facilities. future for all. • Transport: A Tonga with low emissions autonomy and in the Transport sector, achieved through sustainable maintenance of transport, knowledge production, enforced regulation and decentralisation of services. self-reliance. 10 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 11 VISIONS ACTIONS Major first steps FOR Long-term sector FOR Long-term sector TO ADVANCE TONGA’S LOW EMISSIONS FUTURE pathways to low emissions pathways to low emissions Loan program for 2021-2050 ENERGY • 100% renewable electricity by 2035 • High standards for technologies, low energy buildings A Tonga that promotes standards infrastructure & retrofitting that establish renewable energy, • Education to support jobs in energy A demonstrated commitment TO energy efficient infrastructure, & achieving a resilient Tonga by 2035 battery storage facilities. • Private sector fund RE projects Standardising lighting power • Upgrades to electricty grids consumption for buildings by 2025 AUTONOMY ENVIRONMENT TCCP TNC TSDF II JNAP2 2016 2019 TRANSPORT • GHG emissions reduced 28% by 2030 Low emission vehicles: A Tonga with low emissions in the • Improve data collection & waste management government to pilot The Tonga 2050 VISION Transport sector, achieved through • Strengthened road & vehicle maintenance electric vehicles A low emissions Tonga, sustainable maintenance of transport, • 100% EV government fleet & 50% long-term public adoption knowledge production, enforced where all sectors regulation & decentralisation of services. • Expansion of non-motorised & cycling transport Develop a waste work together to communication strategy create resilience, CORE VALUES INCLUSIVITY autonomy & AFOLU • Strengthen public-private partnerships self-reliance. A resilient Fisheries & Agriculture, • Data collection, management & accessibility Forestry & Land Use Tonga through • Expansion of MPAs & SMAs Strengthen existing transport policies DRIVEN BY low emissions, low costs & • Enhancing agro-forestry & home gardening Traditional Health & wellbeing Education Communities, sustainable systems. knowledge of all Tongans individuals & & culture (& every government household) push for change Mainstreaming important low CULTURE emission policy elements into relevant ministries KEY NDC TARGETS WASTE • Develop & implement national waste strategy A resilient, sustainable & educated • Improve waste infrastructure & management Tonga, achieved through effective • Education, awareness raising, traditional 13% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 education & sustainable waste knowledge & use of local/recycled goods Promote best practices in • Establish biogas plant by 2030 compared to 2006 through 70% management. agriculture, forestry and fisheries renewable electricity Establishment of a forest Expansion of the formal TRADITIONAL inventory & planting KNOWLEDGE waste Develop and implement a one collection HUMAN SETTLEMENTS • Community access to climate resilient national waste policy for Tonga million system Building a resilient & autonomous Tonga through transformation & infrastructure • Enhance stormwater management, trees water security & coastal protection strengthening of all sectors. • Improve resilience of housing • Promote sustainable tourism Pedestrianising by 2023 EDUCATION Nuku’alofa by 2022 Synergies between mitigation & adaptation ACROSS SECTORS Improve productivity & Expansion of MPAs & SMAs Reforestation as part of Enhance home gardening Co-benefits of energy Impacts of EV uptake on Reduced waste production Resilient community diversity of agroforestry promoting best practices interventions transport & waste & sustainable waste infrastructure in human in agroforestry disposal settlements across Tonga 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT

1.1 Country profile The Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean with a total land area of 718km2, consisting of four main island groups: Tongatapu, Ha‘apai, Vava‘u and the two Niuas. Nuku‘alofa is the capital of Tonga, which is located on the main island of Tongatapu. Climate Economy Tonga’s climate is tropical, with two distinct Tonga is a small, open economy, with a seasons: dry season (May-October) and wet Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated season (November-April). The mean annual at USD 512 million in 2019 (World Bank, temperature in Tonga varies from 23°C to 2021). It has a strong position as a lower 26°C. Climate in Tonga is governed by a middle-income country, in part due to its number of factors which include the trade high migration and remittance culture, which winds and the movement of the South Pacific represent approximately 50–60% of gross Convergence Zone. Year-to-year variability in national domestic income (Tonga Statistics climate is also strongly influenced by the El Department, 2016). In 2019, remittances from Niño Southern Oscillation, which can bring Tonga’s diaspora contributed USD 193.6 million prolonged drought conditions and tropical or 37% of GDP (World Bank, 2021). cyclones that occur during the wet season. Tonga’s largest export sectors are tourism, Tonga faces near and long-term exposure to agriculture and fisheries. In 2015–16 the the negative impacts of climate change and service sector contribution to GDP (including natural disasters. Tonga was ranked the second tourism trade, and hospitality) was 54.5%, highest disaster risk country globally, according while agriculture contributed 14.7% to GDP in to the World Risk Report in 2020 (Bündnis current prices (Census 2016). Entwicklung Hilft, 2020). Impacts include Tonga’s productive sectors are vulnerable seismic activity with earthquakes and tsunamis; to the impacts of climate change. Intense frequent tropical cyclones with damaging cyclones, as experienced in Tropical Cyclone winds (often between 22-65 knots), rain and (TC) Gita and TC Harold, substantially impact storm surges; droughts, and sea level rise. these sectors and the economy. In April Population 2020, TC Harold is estimated to have caused economic damage totalling 12% of GDP The total population of Tonga is approximately (World Bank, 2020), in addition to lives and 100,651 people as of 2016, split into 50,255 livelihoods lost. males and 50,396 females (Tonga Statistics Department, 2016). More updated population COVID-19 figures will come through the planned The government of Tonga has successfully November 2021 Census. According to the 2016 quarantined its population from COVID-19, census, the majority of this population (74%) with no cases recorded as of August 2021. lives on Tongatapu with population density However, the pandemic continues to threaten being 286 people per km2 compared to only 17 Tonga’s population, health and economic people per km2 in the Niuas. fortunes. The recovery of Tonga’s tourism sector, a substantial contributor to the economy before COVID-19, will be protracted as a consequence of border closures. Despite these challenges and uncertainties, Tonga continues to demonstrate ambitious mitigation commitments and action. Image (opposite page): The tourist hotspot Friends Cafe and Tourist Center (white with red roof wooden building) on the main street of Taufaáhau Road in downtown Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 15 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT

1.2 GHG Emissions Profile 1.3 Narrative description Tonga emitted 310.4 Gigagrams The Second NDC acknowledges the of relevant legal and (Gg) of CO2-equivalent in 2006, according to the Third National challenges that data accessibility and quality bring to Tonga’s recording institutional frameworks Communication submitted in 2019. and reporting of emissions. In Nearly all emissions are derived particular, uncertainty in land use from the Energy sector (39%) data, combined with paucity of The Government of Tonga is a global leader in developing a suite of policies and AFOLU (61%), with waste information regarding assumptions and plans that integrate climate change and sustainable development. accounting for 0.3% of total GHG and methodologies used to The LT-LEDS is no different; drawing on and aligning with the following key emissions. While energy emissions calculate GHG emissions and carbon executive and legislative mandates, laws, and publications2: are mostly driven by a dependency sequestration from living biomass, Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025 (TSDF II) provides on imported petroleum for electricity undermines the reliability of the an overarching framework for Tonga’s development including the LT-LEDS. generation and transportation, estimate for the AFOLU sector. It seeks ‘A more progressive Tonga supporting a higher quality of life for all’ the increase in AFOLU emissions This LT-LEDS is organised into through seven national outcomes: knowledge-based economy; balanced is a result of the steady growth in Tonga’s key GHG emitting sectors: urban and rural development across island groups; empowering human commercial forest harvesting and AFOLU, Energy, Transport, Waste development with gender equality; responsive good-governance with law and wood utilisation, increased clearance and Human Settlements. Transport order; successful provision and maintenance of infrastructure and technology; of forested land and grasslands for has been identified as its own sector, effective land administration, environment management, and resilience commercial farming, and increased with a focus on land transport as to climate and risk; and consistent advancement of our external interests, clearance of secondary growth for the largest emission sub-sector security and sovereignty. social uses especially firewood, for transport, within data currently wood carving and construction. available. Human Settlements was Tonga Climate Change Policy (TCCP, 2016) intends to make Tonga climate- The 2006 emissions represent an selected as a cross-cutting sector resilient by 2035 and enhance mitigation efforts. Its vision is for ‘A Tonga increase of 21.56 percent from GHG with significant contributions to GHG that is resilient to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disaster emissions of 2000, as reported in emissions and broader development risks, and is able to protect and safeguard its present and future citizens.’ It the Second National Communication. objectives. seeks to achieve this through three strategic goals: strengthened integrated Nonetheless, Tonga accounts for risk management to enhance climate and disaster resilience; low carbon just 0.0037 percent of global CO2 development; and strengthened disaster preparedness, response and emissions. recovery specific targets. Figure 1. Estimated greenhouse gas emissions by sector (2006)1 Joint National Action Plan 2 Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP2) 2018-2028 provides the strategic action plan for both the GHG Emissions (in Gg) Share in total GHG emissions TSDF II and TCCP. Its mission is ‘To develop a resilient Tonga through an Energy 120.4 39% inclusive, participatory approach that is based on good governance, builds knowledgeable, proactive communications and supports a strong, sustainable Agriculture 1.8 0.6% development pathway.’ Its guiding principles were replicated in the LT-LEDS LULUCF 187.4 60% process, including ‘A holistic, multi-faceted, multi-sectoral approach’ and Waste 0.9 0.3% an ‘Integrated approach to adaptation and mitigation’. The JNAP Technical Working Groups provided oversight to the LT-LEDS process (see Annex B for TOTAL 310.2 100% more detail). Waste 0.3% Source: Government of Tonga (2019) Third National Communication on Climate Change Report (TNC, 2019) updates the information and inventory of Tonga’s Second National Communication. It captures Tonga’s national circumstances and National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGHGI), provides mitigation analysis, vulnerability Energy 39% and adaptation assessments, and details constraints, gaps, financial, technical and capacity needs. LULUCF 60% Agriculture 0.6% 1 The Government of Tonga’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC distinguishes between 2 This document acknowledges that at time of publication a number of new legislations had just been (1) agriculture and (2) land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) as separate sectors for GHG approved including the Disaster Risk Management Bill 2021; Tonga Climate Change Fund Bill 2021 and emissions (Government of Tonga, 2019) Tonga Energy Bill 2021 16 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 17 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT Tonga’s Second National Determined Contribution (NDC, 2020) is ambitious and reflects the urgency of the Paris Agreement, with mitigation targets for Energy (a 13% (16 Gg) reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 2006), AFOLU (establishment of a forest inventory and planting one million trees by 2023) and Waste (expansion of the formal waste collection system). Tonga’s Second NDC sought alignment with the LT-LEDS, with the recommendations and commitments of the former being included in the sector pathways development. Many of the stakeholders who participated in the 2015 NDC Review and Second NDC Validation were actively engaged in the workshops under the LT-LEDS. Tonga has a goal of Gender Equity by 2025 and the Government recognises that sustainable development can only be achieved if gender considerations (i.e. the respective issues, concerns, and priorities of women and men) are factored into the work of the government. This approach is espoused in the TSDF II, of which the third National Outcome envisions ‘a more inclusive, sustainable and empowering human development with gender equality’. Further, the National Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga Policy and Strategic Plan of Action 2019–2025 includes specific national priorities to address gender issues that the Government and national stakeholders have agreed require urgent attention. Two of these priorities are particularly relevant for the LT-LEDS: ‘Enabling environment for mainstreaming gender across government policies, programmes, services, corporate budgeting and monitoring and evaluation’; and ‘Equitable access to economic assets and employment’. Image (opposite page): Churchgoers after a church service at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, Ma’ufanga, Tongatapu. Taken in 2019. 18 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT

1.4 Why a LT-LEDS for 1.5 Process, Principles, and Tonga? Macrotrends Purpose Process Developing a LT-LEDS achieves multiple purposes for Tonga’s LT-LEDS was developed through a series of facilitated strategic Tonga: dialogues with key Tongan stakeholders, supported by technical expertise and analysis. This participatory process was designed to reflect Tonga’s Fulfilling commitments under the Paris Agreement culture of Talanga, an ‘interactive dialogue or interactive talking with a which under Article 4, paragraph 19, states that ‘All purpose’ between two individuals or groups or communities. Cultural Parties should strive to formulate and communicate metaphors and motifs were also used throughout to act as visual storytelling long-term low greenhouse gas emission development aids and carry dialogue activities. These dialogues took place over three strategies, mindful of Article 2 taking into account workshops: their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national • Window Workshop 1 (October 2020) focused on exploring Tonga’s circumstances.’ The related COP Decision 1/CP 21, past, present, and future, considering global and regional macrotrends paragraph 35, ‘invites’ Parties to communicate by and possible implications for Tonga. The result was three main visions 2020, to the secretariat, ‘mid-century’ long-term low that represent recurring themes of education and training, autonomy greenhouse gas emission development strategies in and independence, resilience & self-reliance and returning to tradition. accordance with Article 4, paragraph 19. • Window Workshop 2 (February 2021) focused on iterating the visions Support and complement existing planning and from Workshop 1. Stakeholders outlined preferred pathways for each policy processes by bringing a longer term, more sector, identifying actions needed to achieve each vision and mapped integrated view. This will result in improved socio- these actions to different scales of change (village/ community, economic outcomes and contribute to meeting government/business, and global) and timelines (2025, 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tonga has 2050). already demonstrated visionary thinking and successful • Window Workshop 3 (July 2021) focused on converging on and planning to identify low-carbon development, adaptation, confirming a single shared vision. Based on this, stakeholders finalised mitigation and climate resilience actions and policies sector pathways with priority intervention actions and outlined that simultaneously deliver socio-economic benefits in major first-step actions which would support implementation of the line with national priorities (see Section 1.3 for relevant intervention actions identified. policies). The participatory design also enabled the LT-LEDS process to overcome Enhance dialogue and governance capability. By challenges around access to strong quantitative data, particularly GHG strengthening and extending existing processes of emissions data (see section 1.2). The workshops provided decision-makers dialogue and governance, particularly those established with qualitative information and took them through multiple rounds of for the JNAP2, Tonga can further enhance its capability divergent thinking (open, creative, playful, non-judgmental) to create for strategic planning in areas of infrastructure, social, choices and convergent thinking (analytical, decisive, and strategic) to refine economic and environmental development. those choices. This was informed by qualitative knowledge gathered from Provide a framework for more integrated and strategic numerous sources: government policies and plans, external reports, additional investment and development aid coordination, towards technical analysis by the consulting team and sense checking with the local a more resource-efficient, secure and resilient Tonga. steering committee and technical experts. The LT-LEDS provides an opportunity for the Tongan Workshops included participants from all government ministries, public government to coordinate strategically with development enterprise, private sector and civil society (see full Consultation list in Annex partners on the transformational investments needed to A). By maintaining a broad scope (beyond just low-carbon development), mitigate GHG emissions and adapt to climate change. decision makers were encouraged to consider trade-offs, benefits and sequencing of Tonga’s future pathways. The process intended to strengthen Images: Mapping activities undertaken by and extend existing processes of dialogue and governance so that Tonga can stakeholders in participatory design workshops. further enhance its capability for long-term, strategic planning. For more Due to time and resource constraints, the following elements were deemed information on out of scope for the process: a quantified long-term emissions reduction methodology target, quantified financial needs for proposed interventions, international and governance cooperation needed to implement the LT-LEDS. see Annex B. 20 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 21 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT Principles and Macrotrends The LT-LEDS process was informed by a number of guiding Concurrently, stakeholders considered macrotrends that may influence principles, macrotrends and elements. Tonga’s futures. These trends were grouped into economy, society, environment, politics and technology. Economic and societal macrotrends Cross-cutting development objectives and principles for Tonga are were equally high priorities for stakeholders. Examples include: expressed in several existing documents including the TSDF II, the TCCP, the JNAP2 and the Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM). From • Climate migration: these documents, seven principles were identified and used by ‘In the future, Tonga will experience increases in average temperatures stakeholders throughout Workshops 1, 2 and 3: which will result in a rise in the number of hot days and warm nights and a decline in cooler weather. This may drive more and more Tongans to migrate in search of livelihoods and more comfortable living conditions’. Environment • Remittances: Sustainable environmental development. ‘An important source of income for most Tongans, the Governor of Tonga’s Reserve Bank cautions that remittances have been on the decline since the 2007-08 global financial crisis. Remittance may not be a sustainable form of investment for Tonga and the government Inclusivity needs to consider alternatives to generate local income and With participatory & inclusive governance and consumption’. empowered communities. • Health: ‘Changing diets, the decline in fresh fish consumption and increase in intake of imported canned foods is directly linked to high rates of non- Traditional Knowledge communicable diseases in Tonga’. Valuing Tongan traditional culture and knowledge. As part of the visioning process, stakeholders were asked to consider the following elements as they thought about ways forward: Culture Valuing community, family and religion. Technical: Technical solutions and interventions. Policy: Key policy and institutional changes. Autonomy Workforce: Future workforce needs and education strategies. Technical and With a resilient economy and reduced reliance on Workforce were Investments: Key investments needed to start Tonga moving on imported energy. most commonly agreed pathways in the short to medium term. identified among stakeholders as Financing: Approaches to financing including working Education with development partners, and enhancing private sector critical elements, followed by Quality education for all Tongan’s, guided by the participation where feasible. financing. latest science. Core Values Of sharing, cooperating and fulfillment of mutual obligations; humility and generosity; maintain relationships; and loyalty and commitment. All actions and steps have been assessed against these principles. 22 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 23 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT 1 NATIONAL CONTEXT 2 COMMITMENT STATEMENT

2.1 THE VISION Taking into account Tonga’s national circumstances, the urgency of global climate change, inputs from the participatory process and considering Tonga’s Second NDC, the vision developed for the LT-LEDS is: A low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create resilience, autonomy and self- reliance. The Tonga of 2050 is driven by: • Traditional knowledge and culture; This vision • The health and wellbeing of all Tongans (and every household); aligns with and supports the • Education; visions outlined • Communities, individuals and government push for change in key Tongan strategic policy This vision is supported by sub-visions and pathways for each emitting sector. documents (more in Chapter 5).

2.2 Sector visions The following summaries describe sector-specific visions developed by LT- LEDS stakeholders: Energy: A Tonga that promotes standards that establish renewable energy, energy efficient infrastructure and battery storage facilities. Transport: A Tonga with low emissions in the Transport sector, achieved through sustainable maintenance of transport, knowledge production, enforced regulation and decentralisation of services. AFOLU: A resilient Fisheries and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Tonga through low emissions, low costs and sustainable systems. Waste: A resilient, sustainable and educated Tonga, achieved through effective education and sustainable waste management. Human Settlements: Building a resilient and autonomous Tonga through transformation and strengthening of all sectors. Image (opposite page): Mala’ekula, the Royal Tombs for Tonga’s Royal Family in central Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 25 2 COMMITMENT STATEMENT 3 Key short, medium and long term climate actions

3.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter provides pathways to low emissions development for Tonga that align with overall vision and priority sector visions established in the preceding chapter. These pathways were developed in the form of a prioritised set of actions for the mitigation sectors of AFOLU and Fisheries, Energy (focused on electricity), Transport (focused on land transport), Waste and Human Settlements. The pathways build on existing forests, improving the urban policies and strategies to develop planning process and transforming pathways to cut GHG emissions in the AFOLU sector towards low the short term (by 2025), medium emissions through agro-ecosystems, term (by 2030) and long term land management and technological (by 2050). While these updated advancement. Waste management pathways address emission is collectively seen as having a lower reductions by individual sectors, contribution to GHG reduction but working across sectors will also is laying important foundations for be crucial to achieving the vision environmental sustainability. of the LT-LEDS. We will therefore All sector-based pathways and the need multidisciplinary initiatives actions they comprise must support that work across multiple sectors national economic development as in key areas. They include data well as seven principles important to collection, management and sharing, the Tongan people: for the purposes mainstreaming and development of the LT-LEDS, these were defined of future sectoral low emissions by stakeholders as environment, policies and plans and community inclusivity, autonomy, culture, empowerment. Multi-sector traditional knowledge, education initiatives have been highlighted and core values (see Chapter 1.5). where possible. Each of the actions in the pathways While the sectoral sub-chapters below has been assessed through below lay out high level pathways the lens of these seven principles. and actions, overall reduction Overall, autonomy and the use of in emissions will be achieved traditional knowledge are important primarily through managing energy considerations for all sectors. demand and continuing renewable Therefore, all actions in the sector energy expansion, establishing a pathways are framed wherever low emissions Transport sector, possible to identify, support and use expanding agroforestry and local and traditional knowledge and forestry and protecting the marine to highlight local actions that can be environment. These key areas will be taken autonomously. supported by restoring mangrove Image (opposite page): People getting on a small raft in Fafa Island, a small atoll located 7km north of Tongatapu. Taken in 2020. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 27 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.2 Energy Relevant national The Renewable Energy Act (2008) regulates Tonga’s use of renewable energy. It seeks to promote renewable resources by researching and policies, developing opportunities around renewable energy, encouraging the use sectoral policies of commercially sustainable renewable energy technology for both grid

3.2.1 Context and links with connected and standalone power supply systems and also supporting the the LT-LEDS engagement of the private sector in renewable energy projects in the country. Introduction The Electricity Act (2007) provides rules that apply to the Energy sector and establishes the Electricity Commission as a body corporate. The Petroleum Energy in this LT-LEDS context refers to the Tonga’s electricity sector has been undergoing Act (1959) regulates petroleum imports/exports to and from Tonga. working fluid that runs modern-day Tonga, a transformation with the integration of with imported fuel accounting for 21 percent renewable electricity at an increasing rate. At the National policy level, the Tonga Strategic Development Framework of all imports in 2014 (World Bank, 2021) and The last five years have shown remarkable 2015-2025 (TSDF II) includes an ‘Infrastructure and Technology Inputs fuel imports for electricity accounting for progress, achieving 13.5 percent renewable Organisational Outcome’ (under Outcome 4.1.5) to have more reliable, safe, 10 percent of GDP (Government of Tonga, electricity for 2020 with this figure set to affordable and widely available energy services built on an appropriate 2010). The need to import fuel weighs heavily double in a year’s time to 30 percent, then up energy mix, moving towards increased use of renewable energy. The National on Tongan businesses’ operating expenses to 50 percent by fiscal year 2022 (TPL 2021). Infrastructure Investment Plan 2, 2013-2023 (NIIP II) outlines plans for major and residents’ disposable income. Tonga, like initiatives in economic infrastructure (energy, telecommunications, water, Tonga’s energy transformation was recently solid waste management, and transport) over the next five to 10 years. It every other Pacific Island, has relied mainly accelerated by new and comprehensive responds to the need for a longer term view and sector-wide approach to on petroleum fuels for decades to power its policies from the Energy Bill (passed in infrastructure planning and management, with systematic approaches to electricity system. Further, Tonga is dependent Parliament) and poised to become an identifying future priorities. on petroleum fuels for all economic activities Act in 2022 (by royal assent). This Bill of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, industry, and From a climate change perspective, the JNAP2 declares that ‘Tonga is provides robust policy to establish coherent especially, transportation. In 2008, Tonga committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions from the Energy sector institutional and regulatory frameworks committed to transforming half of all power principally by increasing its utilisation of renewable sources of energy such for coordination of the Energy sector. It generation to renewable sources in record as solar and energy efficient technologies’. It also includes Guiding Principle establishes clear national objectives and time. Since then, development partners (9): ‘Long-term sustainability - Initiatives and programs’ that will be designed promotes private sector incentives and have provided both financial and technical to deliver long term, positive, environmental, social, and economic benefits research initiatives. When passed as an Act, assistance to support this ambition. With such founded on ensuring self-sufficiency at all levels of Tongan society. The Tonga the Energy Bill will begin the development a dramatic transition needed to upgrade the Climate Change Policy (2016) (TCCP) lays out Tonga’s extreme vulnerability and adoption of a National Energy Policy electrical system, Tonga’s institutions and to the adverse effects of climate change and disaster risks because of its to include Tonga’s ambitious targets of 70 policies were reformed alongside the progress geographical, geological and socio-economic features, while the Second percent and 100 percent renewable electricity of these renewable aspirations. NDC has a mitigation target of a 13 percent (16 Gg) reduction in GHG in 2030 and 2035, respectively. Addressing the interwoven challenges of emissions from the Energy sector (including transport) by 2030. One of the With massive transformations underway in key measures to reach this target will be achieving 70 percent renewable energy security, climate-change and energy renewable energy generation, distribution electricity by 2030. access, Tonga’s energy transformation and policy, Tonga’s future electricity system began with bold policies in the Renewable In terms of sectoral policy, the TERM is the main governing document for will perform with ever-increasing complexity. Energy Act (2008). In 2009, the Government the Energy sector. It lays out a strategic plan to reduce Tonga’s vulnerability Operating, maintaining and controlling the of Tonga (GoT) approved a goal of 50 to high prices and the volatility of imported fuels and has, at its centerpiece, renewable electricity system of the future will percent of electricity to be generated from the target of 50 percent renewable electricity by 2020. The Tonga Energy require technology upgrades across almost renewable energy sources by 2020, which Road Map, 2021 - 2035 (TERMPLUS) Framework provides analysis of the every area, with significant capacity building became the centerpiece of the ground- TERM to provide a foundation for and build the next 15 year energy strategy needed to develop skills in those who manage breaking Tonga Energy Road Map 2010–2020 document, which will govern the Energy sector in years to come. The Tonga Tonga’s increasingly dynamic network. (TERM). Subsequently, Tonga followed Energy Efficiency Master Plan (TEEMP) provides strategies for the most cost- TERM strategies from 2010 to 2020 resulting effective and most reliable initiatives for saving energy and reducing costs in a series of renewable electricity and and GHG emissions. TEEMP EE and GHG targets are achievable, to ensure network upgrade projects moving from total feasibility of transition to an energy efficient future. dependence on fossil-fuels to an increasing share of renewable electricity. Remarkably, Responsible The Department of Energy (DOE) within the Ministry of Meteorology, alongside this transition, Tonga electrified Ministries Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change its remote populations resulting in over 95 and Sector and Communications (MEIDECC) is largely responsible for Energy sector percent of the total population now with Stakeholders policy in Tonga. State-owned electric utility Tonga Power Limited (TPL) is access to electricity country-wide. Today the main implementer of energy projects on its 4 major networks. Both the however, Tonga continues to rely significantly DOE and TPL develop and maintain projects that are on-grid (connected to on non-renewable diesel generation and due TPL grid) and off-grid. The new Energy Bill once given approval by the royal to COVID-19, the 50 percent renewable target assent (2022) will create a new Ministry of Energy. Under this Ministry will be has been reset for 2021-22. responsibilities for all sectors of energy including electricity, gas, petroleum, renewable energy and other energy sources. Further a new Energy Commission will be responsible for regulation of the Energy sector. 28 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 29 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS ENERGY Historical and The Third National Communication on Climate Change report (2019) states Sector Pathway Actions Over Time current GHG that the Tonga Energy sector (including transportation) emitted 39 percent emissions of Tonga’s GHG emissions, for a total of 121 Gg CO2-equivalent in 2006. 1 3 5 7 Implement Standards and Renewable Energy and Increase access to finance Technologies like battery Current Over the last 10 years many significant renewable energy and network Regulations for renewable Energy Efficiency to for the private sector storage to upgrade, initiatives projects have been implemented, with the help of over USD $100 million in energy and energy become part of standard to fund demand-side maintain and operate a donor funding. This has included funding from the Australian Government, efficiency technologies education curriculum renewable energy, projects renewable energy network New Zealand’s MFAT, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Green Climate Fund imported into the country PRINCIPLES and green initiatives PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES Education PRINCIPLES Autonomy & Environment (GCF), European Union (EU) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). Projects Environment, Education & Autonomy, Culture, Core Values have included solar, wind, battery and network upgrade initiatives. Current Traditional Knowledge & Environment projects that have made a big impact over the last several years and will remain ongoing for the next few years include the Tonga Renewable Energy 2 4 6 8 Project (TREP), the Outer Island Renewable Energy Project (OIREP) and Network Upgrade Programs. EU initiatives supporting energy bill research, Draft regulation and policy Draft regulation and policy Increase access to finance Government to provide a paper for Infrastructure paper to support roll out for the private sector loan program to private writing and adoption are also currently active. developed using green of LED Street and Interior to fund supply-side sector for Low Energy infrastructure standards LED Lamps renewable energy, projects Buildings PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES and green infrastructure PRINCIPLES Environment & Education Core Values, Autonomy & PRINCIPLES Autonomy, Education & Traditional Knowledge Autonomy, Core Values, Environment Traditional Knowledge, Education & Environment Start implementing standards & regulations 1 POLICY Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency enters standard education 3 WORKFORCE Enforce codes & provide skills & training 8 POLICY & WORKRFORCE Update Building Codes for Energy Efficiency & Resiliency 8 INVESTMENT 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050

3.2.2 Sector Pathway This sectoral pathway focuses on electricity generation and consumption as the main source of GHG emissions. 50% Energy Bill 13% (16 Gg) reduction 100% RE, Sust. Transp., The Energy sector vision is: Building an Energy sector that promotes high standards of RE becomes in GHG emissions Data, Inclusion, Resilience 1 Energy from energy renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures 3 Act ‘A Tonga that promotes will require each project to be delivered as an integrated Increase access to finance for the private sector to fund supply-side RE solution. As a priority, demand-side (consumer-side) standards that efficiency measures should be deployed wherever possible 6 FINANCE establishes renewable on a country-wide basis. Further, optimising incentives Technologies upgrade, maintain and operate a renewable energy network 7 TECHNICAL energy, energy efficient through electricity rate structures and renewable energy financing will ensure that government, businesses and Roll out LED lighting retrofit program infrastructure, and residences are aligned and assist in the co-creation of the 4 TECHNICAL battery storage facility.’ future power generation system. Regulation & policy for green infrastructure standards Community awareness, knowledge and capacity building 2 POLICY are essential to gaining country-wide support for the Increase access to finance for the private sector to fund demand-side RE ambitious trajectory of Tonga’s electricity system. 5 FINANCE Education around energy consumption, energy supply and renewable energy projects will help consumers support changing technology and systems. A new model will be required so the electric utility can collaborate with consumers, businesses and government. Higher standards, regulations and enforcement will be needed for building green infrastructure, retrofitting existing structures and purchasing interior energy efficient equipment. Existing Second NDC Targets 30 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Pathways ENERGY Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to become Description ACTION 3 part of standard education curriculum. ENERGY Implement Standards and Regulations for renewable GHG Reduction potential: Low. ACTION 1 energy and energy efficiency technologies imported Description: Including renewable energy and energy efficiency as standard in the education curriculum will assist in providing jobs and careers for Tonga’s into the country. people. Building wide knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and systems will enable capacity building for Tonga’s future GHG Reduction potential: High. experts to support a green growth future. Description: Implementing standards and regulations will provide for more Supporting asset and capacity measures: Educational institutes to provide complete and optimal solutions. It will ensure that any project developed or programs for energy efficiency education and practical technical vocational equipment procured is of the highest quality available to continue to move training as well as on-site labs for testing equipment. Radio and television Tonga toward a clean, sustainable energy pathway. The TEEMP will provide ads can support interest and knowledge building by touting the benefits of high energy efficiency equipment standards adopted from neighboring energy efficiency solutions for home and businesses. countries of Australia and New Zealand. The Energy Bill poised to become Location: All of Tonga. an Act in 2022 will provide broad powers to enact standards and regulations Timeline: 2022 just after Energy Bill becomes an Act. with the DOE. Principles: Not provided, but would at least include Education. Supporting asset and capacity measures: The DOE will need to train, deploy and set-up proper inspections at airports and wharves to ensure high- Links to Second NDC: None. standard compliance for the import of renewable energy components and Links to other mitigation sectors: All sectors. energy efficiency equipment. Location: Starting in Tongatapu with some remote inspections in Vava’u and ENERGY Draft regulation and policy paper to support roll Ha’apai. Timeline: Implementation of standards and regulations will begin by 2022 ACTION 4 out of light emitting diode (LED) street lamps and when the Energy Bill becomes an Act. interior LED lamps. Principles: Environment, Education and Traditional Knowledge. Links to Second NDC: Renewable Energy (RE) & Energy Efficiency (EE) GHG Reduction Potential: High. Mitigation Measures. Description: A complete LED Street Lamp Retrofit Program for all outdoor Links to other mitigation sectors: All sectors. roadway and outdoor lights. Also includes an Interior Light retrofit to LT- LEDS in existing Government Buildings and as part of new building codes. Once existing lights have been retrofitted, all future street lamps and interior Draft regulation and policy paper for infrastructure lights should automatically specify LED as standard. Due to the issue of wide ENERGY developed using green infrastructure standards. variation in LED lamp technologies, this project should include local ‘pilot- ACTION 2 testing’ to cover lamps of different manufacture. Some testing of optimum lights for exterior & interior spaces is also needed. Additionally, information GHG Reduction potential: Medium. about efficiency in lumens-per-watt should be verified by an independent Description: All public infrastructure should be developed using latest testing lab. All findings to be made available to update the TEEMP and principles of clean energy, energy efficiency, and resilience as well as to place country and island-wide projects in the upcoming NIIP II update. integrating with local natural resources and reducing waste of all types. Projects can (and should) be developed as public-private-partnerships, with This will ensure the planning and development of infrastructure for Tonga the GoT providing up to 50 percent of funding on high-return efficiency incorporates the latest green standards that focus on improving local projects (return on investment of 3-5-years is normal). environments. All future development policy should look to build on the Supporting asset and capacity measures: Existing lighting infrastructure to Waste Management Act and Tonga Housing Recovery and Resilience policies. be used where possible - and replaced only where needed. Start training a Although costs in the beginning may be higher due to higher infrastructure workforce to undertake this rollout, with collaboration from GoT and TPL. standards, life-cycle cost and improvement to the environment is projected to outweigh initial added expenses. New standards for green infrastructure are Location: Phase 1 - starts with the major villages of Tongatapu, moving to become part of NIIP II and upcoming NIIP 3. to Phase 2 - more populous outer islands and Phase 3 - remote inhabited islands. Supporting asset and capacity measures: Green infrastructure projects including waste infrastructure to be deployed on existing assets and Timeline: 2021-2025 - education and capacity building; 2025-2030 - upcoming refurbishments as well as in new builds. implementation; 2030-2050 - operation, maintenance and enforcement of new lighting standards / ordinance. Location: Commence with pilots and projects in Tongatapu and apply lessons to outer islands. Principles: Core Values, Autonomy, Traditional Knowledge and Environment. Timeline: 2025 and beyond. Links to Second NDC: EE Mitigation Measures. Principles: Environment and Education. Links to other mitigation sectors: Human Settlements and Transport. Links to Second NDC: RE & EE Mitigation Measures. Links to other mitigation sectors: All sectors. 32 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 33 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY ACTION 5 ACTION 6 ACTION 7 ACTION 8 Increase access to finance for the Increase access to finance for the Technologies like battery Government to provide a loan private sector to fund demand- private sector to fund supply- storage to upgrade, maintain program to private sector for side renewable energy, projects side renewable energy, projects and operate a renewable energy low energy buildings. and green initiatives. and green infrastructure. network. GHG Reduction Potential: High. GHG Reduction Potential: High. GHG Reduction Potential: High. GHG Reduction Potential: Medium. Description: Update building codes for Description: An electricity system serving large Description: Tonga’s stated goals are to Description: To support a renewable energy energy efficiency and resilience as well as customers or an aggregation of customers can achieve 70 percent then 100 percent renewable network, upgrades are needed on Tonga’s enforce compliance for government, business perform more efficiently if it can be switched electricity by 2030 and 2035, respectively. To electricity grids. and residential buildings. New codes for on-or-off according to demand. Supporting achieve this, many inputs must be coordinated, green infrastructure projects will also require Supporting asset and capacity measures: significant capacity building. asset and capacity measures: Existing including applying the best technologies for Existing network in Tongatapu to receive network of Tongatapu to be upgraded to a a Tonga-context setting, from the Pacific and network upgrades to allow the penetration of Supporting asset and capacity measures: ‘smart-grid’ that can allow two-way flow of around the world. renewable electricity to rise to 70-100 percent. New buildings planned and designed using the electricity. Capacity-building will be needed Supporting asset and capacity measures: Most network upgrade equipment and capacity latest building codes in the Pacific. Existing for a new generation of electric utility control- Existing land-sites that can add storage building will come from development partner buildings to be retrofitted. This needs highly- room specialists. Automated controls are systems and additional renewable equipment countries like Australia, New Zealand and the skilled and knowledgeable technicians to needed for shedding (reducing) load on large are ideal. New ideal land-sites (typically, United States. Appropriate battery storage, provide both resiliency- and energy efficiency- customers like water pumps or large industries. royal-lands) for renewable energy resources centralised SCADA, Controls and advanced measures. Provide education and training to Aggregating loads (where individual energy need to be obtained as soon as practical. transmission and distribution infrastructure tradespeople working on these structures and users band together to reduce costs) will need Capacity development needed from external will allow maximum capabilities for storing, develop programs to educate construction an expert system, such as Supervisory Control consultants that analyse for renewable transmitting and distributing renewable industry businesses and the workforce about and Data Acquisition (SCADA), which can also resources needs to be funded and applied. electricity when penetration levels hit above latest materials and equipment used for new turn off-and-on systems like air-conditioners, Development partner funding for specific RE 50 percent RE. Significant development buildings and upgrades to existing building water heaters, lights, etc. Electricity & energy projects in sequence can be determined from partner funding and capacity building will be stock. Upgrade important structures to regulators should work with electricity TERMPLUS documents and investment plans. needed for the network projects in tandem Category 5 to be resilient to the strongest concessionaires to drive incentives for large Feasibility studies will be needed on pushing with the large funding for pure RE projects. cyclones. Government to provide loans to make customers or large aggregators through policy. the limits of renewable energies from solar and The TERMPLUS should address these network these structures more resilient and able to TEEMP should include updates on these wind plus smart networks with appropriate issues. Funding needs to be provided by withstand the new normal of climate change policies and technology platforms and the storage. Capacity-building is needed for TPL development partners for capacity building events..Learn from other countries like the TERMPLUS should include these measures. The technicians that will implement and operate for new skills in operating, maintaining and islands of Japan (Okinawa) about building parallel development of a smart network with advanced RE systems. Strengthened and close managing a complex smart-grid. cost-effective and climate-resilient structures. centralised control is needed as a foundation coordination as well as common understanding Location: All islands (however, most buildings Location: Tongatapu. for these programs. of RE goals among major energy stakeholders; are in Tongatapu). Timeline: 2025-2030. Location: Tongatapu. especially the GoT Ministries and TPL. RE goals Timeline: 2022-2023 - update building codes; should also be codified in national and sectoral Principles: Not provided, but should at least 2022-2050 - enforce codes and provide skills Timeline: 2025. plans like NIIP II, TERMPLUS as well as TPL include Autonomy and Environment. and training. Principles: Autonomy, Culture, Core Values, Business Plans. Links to Second NDC: RE Mitigation Measure. Principles: Not provided, but should at least Environment. Location: All inhabited lands need to be Links to other mitigation sectors: include Autonomy, Education, Environment. Links to Second NDC: RE Mitigation Measures addressed, starting with the largest grid of Transportation, Human Settlements, Waste. Links to Second NDC: EE Mitigation Measures. (allows more RE to flow on grid). Tongatapu. Certain renewable resources like Links to other mitigation sectors: Links to other mitigation sectors: Human biomass from plants and animals may only be Transportation (electric vehicle (EV) charging/ Settlements. feasible on the larger islands. Certain renewable discharging), Human Settlements and Waste, resources like biomass from plants and animals Agriculture (water-pumping). and renewable fuels like hydrogen may only be feasible on the larger islands. Geothermal resources would need to be located near large populations. Timeline: 2021-2030–feasibility studies; 2023 - ongoing capacity building; 2023 - ongoing on the job training; 2025-2030 - implementation of projects. Principles: Autonomy, Core Values, Traditional Knowledge, Education, Environment. Links to Second NDC: RE Mitigation Measures. Links to other mitigation sectors: All sectors. 34 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 35 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.2.3 Socio-economic and environmental considerations Environmental Renewable energy system upgrades and projects should be informed by and social comprehensive environmental impact assessments, in order to understand Skills and Education, training and capacity building are fundamental to the safeguards whether such projects would have wider impacts on local environments. This capacity transformation of Tonga’s traditional fossil-fuel based electricity system to considerations is especially true in the case of battery energy storage systems, given that building needed a new, renewable electricity system. Currently however, there is a shortage some customers have objected to the use of smart equipment in their homes, of skills and experience in the technical and regulatory areas needed specifically smart meters. It is important to address such concerns through to implement Tonga’s ambition to achieve 70 percent then 100 percent public educational bulletins and other outreach resources, before deploying renewable electricity by 2030 and 2035, respectively. equipment island-wide. Over the recent time period leading up to COVID-19, external consultants were flown in to do much of the technical planning and implementation. Key data gaps Tonga’s success in the Energy sector relies heavily on obtaining, managing Now, with development partners keenly aware of the need to train Tonga and solutions and disseminating data that supports the march to its 70 percent and 100 nationals to continue this work, funding for capacity development has just percent renewable electricity goals. Importantly, development partners and started. Intensive technical training of electric utility workers will be needed donors require appropriate and accurate data to unlock funding sources for for Tonga’s new renewable electricity system/s. Trained workers also need upcoming projects and monitor their implementation. incentives to stay in Tonga and deploy their skills. New building codes for Renewable resource optimisation will be ever more important to the ongoing green infrastructure projects will require significant capacity building. Outer- implementation of further renewable electricity as penetration levels reach islands communities will require capacity building for new off-grid projects higher percentages. Added resources will need to be identified, and intensive remote locations. Legal & regulatory training will be needed for the energy analysis will also be needed to determine the most appropriate sequence for regulator that will be established from the Energy Bill/Act (2022). project implementation. Tonga Power Limited (TPL) will need to optimise its control of a more complex electricity grid (one that flows two-ways) and will Cross-sectoral Energy touches on all other sectors including Transport, Human Settlements, necessarily need to incorporate a much more sophisticated system. This will considerations Waste and AFOLU. Energy system transformation requires significant require audits of TPL’s business structure, alongside comparisons with other education and capacity building for all of Tonga, so that ambitious initiatives electric utilities achieving high-penetrations of renewable energy. can work to benefit all. However, there might also be short term pain with With Tonga’s Energy Bill poised to become an Act in 2022, the major price increases, before price reductions are experienced - and this is also responsibility for proper data collection and dissemination will reside in the where a strong educational and marketing programs can be best deployed. new Ministry of Energy. It will be essential for the Ministry of Energy to model Increasing renewable energy sources will produce dramatic positive impacts and adapt ideas from other country governments which have been successful for long term green growth and could also spur economic development in new in collecting, storing and disseminating such intensive energy information. areas where renewable energy can be best deployed, for instance, integrating Surveys of other electricity networks that are pushing the boundaries of transportation systems and microgrids for disaster management purposes. renewable electricity integration will be needed, in order to determine the most appropriate renewable solutions for a Tongan network. Gender and The role of men and women, including behavioural change around purchasing social inclusion energy efficient household appliances, should be examined. Specific considerations communication and awareness campaigns may be needed for specific groups. Measures should be implemented to ensure that low-income and vulnerable groups are not excluded from benefits or penalised by higher prices of more efficient appliances. With regard to renewable energy implementation for homeowners, it should be stressed that low-income groups need to be made aware of and given some subsidy to equalise access to the benefits of renewable energy (solar photovoltaics) on the home. The role of men and women in the buildings sector and construction industry should be examined to ensure women can also participate in learning and skill development/job creation. Differences between urban and rural areas should also be taken into consideration to ensure that low-income and vulnerable groups are not excluded from benefits or penalised by higher costs of a new building code. Specific communication and awareness campaigns may be needed for specific groups. Importantly, all Tongans should enjoy the benefits of sustainable renewable electricity. All strata of stakeholders must be supported in receiving information and taking action to implement beneficial cost-effective home appliances and home solar systems. Therefore, training and capacity building programs should be inclusive across all of society. Image: Maama Mai Solar Facility at the Tonga Power Limited’s Power Station in Popua, Tongatapu. ‘Maama Mai’ means ‘let there be light’. Taken in 2021. 36 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 37 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.3 Transport Relevant national One of the goals defined in the TSDF II is the provision of safer, more reliable, and more affordable transport infrastructure and services to achieve dynamic policies, and inclusive growth across the country. sectoral policies

3.3.1 Context The NIIP II outlines these priorities for the maritime space: (i) reduce the and links with cost of services to reduce transport costs and improve Tonga’s international the LT-LEDS Introduction competitiveness; (ii) improve the sustainability of maritime infrastructure by ensuring adequate maintenance, so as to minimise long term costs and maximise availability; (iii) enhance inter-island shipping services to help Tonga’s Transport sector depends exclusively Due to the isolated nature and relatively small improve socioeconomic conditions; (iv) increase the safety of the transport on imported petroleum products (GoT 2015) size and population of a number of Tonga’s system, and its resilience to climate change and natural disasters, to and accounts for approximately 90 percent of islands, inter-island shipping forms a vital part minimise disruptions; (v) strengthen and reform the institutional framework end-use petroleum oil demand in Tonga. Road of the supply chain. Many of the smaller islands that governs the management, maintenance, and financing of maritime transport is the dominant mode of transport, have neither docking capability for larger infrastructure and services; and (vi) promote and better use a competitive while domestic shipping (for transportation of vessels nor airstrips, making them reliant on private sector. The Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) Business Plan 2019–2024, people and goods and fishing) is also important. supply by small boats for commerce, social, also has, amongst its aims, the promotion of sustainable growth and a Domestic aviation plays a small role. educational and medical needs. Domestic sustainable environment. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - SDG9, calls shipping is provided by the government-owned on the global community to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive For land transport, the 2016 vehicle stock was Friendly Islands Shipping Agency and a variety and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. The pathways laid estimated at 6,031 cars, 7,103 light trucks, vans of private sector parties including private out in this LT-LEDS will therefore contribute towards this, as well as to the and SUVs, 2,099 heavy duty vehicles, 953 shipping companies, churches, small vessel sustainability aims of the NIIP and PAT Business Plan 2019-2024. taxis and rentals, 306 motorcycles and 225 operators and a community cooperative (World buses (TEEMP, 2020). There are currently no The Tonga Climate Change Policy sets the targets of ‘a transport system Bank, 2015). Service to major islands in each of vehicle standards in place but the government that is not reliant on fossil fuels’ and ‘100 per cent renewable energy’. This Tonga’s main island groups is reliable (World is seeking to restrict importation to newer LT-LEDS aligns with this aim as well as with the aims of Tonga’s Second Bank, 2015) but services are weather affected vehicles and has put in place a 10 year age limit NDC which states a target of reducing GHG emissions from the combustion and may be cancelled due to windy and/or for imported vehicles. of fossil fuels by 13 percent (16 Gg) by 2030, compared to 2006. The NDC rough water conditions, particularly during Vehicle ownership is high. There are the cyclone season (World Food Programme specifies a Transport sector measure of 2 percent efficiency gain per year approximately 18,200 households in the country, (WFP), Undated). As of 2014, there were 250 for newly purchased light duty vehicles to contribute to the NDC emission owning a total of 16,000 vehicles (Tonga seafarers in Tonga (World Bank, 2015). The reduction target. The LT-LEDS pathway for transport supports this NDC aim Statistics Department (TSD), 2016) with 59 Government has stated its highest priority for through either establishing mandatory vehicle standards and/or incentives for percent of households owning at least one car the maritime sector is increasing the safety and purchasing more efficient vehicles through taxes, fees, or import tariffs. (TSD, 2019). Based on vehicle stock figures, the resilience of all maritime activities, especially country has an estimated motorisation rate of in relation to inter-island shipping (LCA, WFP, Responsible All transport responsibilities come under the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), approximately 160-170 vehicles per 1,000 people Undated). The current available data does Ministries under which sit a number of entities managing land, maritime and aviation (United Nations Climate Technology Centre and not allow for a breakdown between diesel and sector sub-sectors. The main actor in land transport is the Land Transport Division Network (UNCTCN),2018; TSD, 2016) which is used in road and maritime transport. However, Stakeholders of MOI. The main actors in the maritime sector in Tonga are the Marine and relatively high compared to other countries in domestic maritime transport likely represents Ports Division (MPD) of the MOI, Ports Authority Tonga (PAT), Ministry of the Asia-Pacific region. Road transportation is a considerable share of diesel consumption. In Education, Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute (TMPI) and a number of concentrated on Tongatapu, with 85 percent future, expansion of cruise passenger arrivals private sector actors. The MPD is responsible for oversight of the maritime of fuel for road transportation being used on as part of tourism may have implications for sector (policy, regulation of domestic shipping, ship registry operation, the island (TEEMP, 2020). Estimates suggest increased fuel use, GHG emissions and other port and flag state control, auditing of PAT and TMPI). MPD also manages a total of approximately 200 million vehicle environmental impacts. and operates six domestic ports (World Bank, 2015). The MOI also collects kilometres travelled per year, which translates data on domestic shipping, including the number of ferries, the number of Freight transport via aviation in Tonga is limited. into almost 2,300 vehicle kilometres travelled passengers, and the volume of cargo delivered to various wharves (GoT and Domestic planes are small and mostly serve per capita (GoT and UNCTCN, 2018). Under a UNCTCN, 2018). PAT is responsible for the management and operations of for passenger travel. There are no dedicated business as usual scenario, an average annual Nuku’alofa Port. It is a government-owned enterprise overseen by the Ministry cargo planes. From 2008-2012 less than 5 growth rate of 2.4 percent for vehicle kilometres of Public Enterprises. The aviation sector is overseen by the Civil Aviation percent of jet fuel was reported as being used travelled during the period 2016-2050 is Division of MOI. The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) is for domestic aviation (IRENA, 2013). In addition, projected, translating into an equal growth in responsible for importation, and this ministry and the customs service have assuming that the vast majority of aviation fuel consumption from road transport (TEEMP, a role to play in implementation and enforcement of vehicle standards. The gasoline is used for local travel (generally used 2020; UNCTCN, 2018). In general there is a MTED also manages standards, including fuel standards. in small, short-distance airplanes), domestic preference for car usage over motorbike, cycling aviation represents approximately a quarter of and walking and a lack of infrastructure for non- fuel consumption in aviation. motorised transport. Congestion on the main roads of Nuku’alofa is a concern. 38 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 39 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Historical and The Transport sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas 3.3.2 Sector Pathways The sector focuses on land transport as the largest current GHG emissions in Tonga (GoT, 2019).. One-third (37%) of fossil fuel supply is used emission sub-sector within transport, according to data emissions for electricity generation, while approximately two thirds (63%) are used for The Transport sector vision is: currently available. Given domestic aviation’s small direct final consumption (Department of Energy, 2020). The Transport sector contribution to transport GHG emissions, it is not a focus accounts for approximately 80% of total final consumption, dominated by ‘A Tonga with low of the LT-LEDS. road transport, representing 70% of total final consumption. emissions in the Targets to reduce GHG emissions from maritime GHG emissions from the Transport sector primarily reflect emissions from land transport which accounts for 60 percent of Energy sector Transport sector, transport and aviation were not examined in this LT- LEDS due to the lack of commercially viable alternatives, emissions according to the Third National Communication (GoT, 2019). achieved through at least in the short term. This may, however, change in Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, ozone and aerosol sustainable maintenance the medium-term and this sub-sector can be revisited precursors are not covered in the GHG inventory. Emissions based on liquid once more data and information is available, along with fuels sold to aircrafts and ships engaged in international transport are not of transport, knowledge commercially viable alternatives. covered in the national emissions totals. There is no data available regarding production, enforced Priority areas for the transport pathway were identified share of emissions from the maritime and aviation sectors. According to TEEMP, emissions from land transport will grow by an average of 2.4 percent regulation and as improved data collection and waste management per year under a business as usual (BAU) scenario (GoT and UNCTCN, 2018). decentralisation of of vehicles, sustainable maintenance and overhaul and services for vehicles and improved road maintenance. services.’ These are already set policies and plans for these Current The Tonga Climate Resilient Transport Sector Project 2019–2024 (USD 27 interventions and the LT-LEDS will align closely to initiatives million), supported by the World Bank, aims to facilitate the safe, efficient and existing policies for the short term while enabling future sustainable movement of people and goods in Tonga while strengthening revision of policies to take low emissions measures into resiliency of the Transport sector. It has four components. The first; Sectoral account. The next five years (short term) are planned for, and Spatial Planning Tools, involves technical assistance that will improve the but the door remains open for transformative change way climate change is addressed in Tonga’s Transport sectors and allows for over the subsequent 40 years. This is where the LT-LEDS the financing of updates to analytical and sector planning tools to enable supports new policies, introduction of technologies and policymakers to make informed decisions based on the most accurate and accompanying measures to reduce GHG emissions. Some up-to-date information available. The second component; Climate Resilient of the medium term priorities identified for the pathway Infrastructure Solutions, involves feasibility studies, design and physical were low emissions vehicles, including mandatory vehicle works of identified road, aviation and maritime assets to improve their standards, and a 100 percent electric government fleet resilience to climate related hazards and/or events. The third component; and non-motorised/cycling options. In the long term, the Strengthening the Enabling Environment, will provide funding to support aim is for public adoption of electric vehicles. institutional and regulatory reforms for Transport sector asset management and maintenance, including measures to strengthen local capacity and to A combination of mode shifts, improvements in vehicle increase the sustainability of climate resilient investments under the project; efficiency and use of alternative fuels (e.g. renewable and the fourth component; Contingency Emergency Response is designed electricity) as mentioned in this pathway, would reduce to provide a swift response in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency, GHG emissions from road transport by 28 percent by by enabling the GoT to ask the World Bank to reallocate project funds to 2030, compared to a BAU scenario (TEEMP, 2020). As support emergency response and reconstruction. actions in this pathway are transformative, awareness raising and clear communication strategies for different The Fanga’uta Lagoon bridge project in Nuku’alofa aims to relieve congestion actions will be very important, and should include and connect communities. It will also provide an evacuation route to higher promoting transparency and information availability to areas in the event of a tsunami and extreme weather events, and facilitate the public. long term climate change-induced relocation of communities currently living in low-lying areas, to higher areas (ADB 2021). The ongoing Nuku’alofa Port Upgrade Project will rehabilitate, renew and expand existing infrastructure. And it will improve management and operations practices with the aim of achieving safer, more reliable, and more affordable transport infrastructure and services in Tonga (ADB 2020). The Green Pacific Port initiative integrates applicable global approaches and promotes more efficient port infrastructure and operations, in a regional project implemented by The Pacific Community. The Green Pacific Port approach explores port development that enables holistic - operational, energy-conscious, and environmental - management of ports. The initiative’s benefits extend to reduced environmental impacts, better quality of working and living in port areas, and greater commercial benefits (ADB 2020). PAT joined the initiative in 2018. 40 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 41 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Transport Sector Pathway Actions Over Time Pathways Description 1 4 7 Improved transport data collection Decentralization of services from urban to rural areas to decrease Strengthen Sustainable Maintenance of all vehicles TRANSPORT Improved transport data collection and waste and waste management PRINCIPLES traffic congestion PRINCIPLES ACTION 1 management. Environment, Education, Autonomy, PRINCIPLES Environment Culture & Core Values Inclusivity, Environment, Education, Autonomy & Core Values GHG emission reduction potential: Low and mostly indirect. Description: This action involves improved data collection across all areas 2 5 8 of the Transport sector, including consumption behaviour and transport Mandatory vehicle standards and Low Emissions Vehicles Implementation of Non-motorised preferences, breakdown of fuel use for land, maritime and aviation, and incentives for more efficient vehicles PRINCIPLES and cycling transport options separation and classification of transport waste. Mandatory data collection through tax, fees and import tariffs Autonomy, Environment & Inclusivity PRINCIPLES systems and procedures will be put in place with awareness raising and PRINCIPLES Environment, Traditional Knowledge and training provided. At the policy level this includes policies on abandoned Education, Environment, Inclusivity, Culture Culture and well aligned to Inclusivity, & Traditional Knowledge Autonomy, Education & Core Values vehicles, vehicle and boat collection and scrappage, and data collection for transport energy consumption (aligned with the new Energy Bill). Policies for 3 6 9 all new vehicles will be considered to allocate responsibility to the importer or exporter, for vehicles’ end of life removal, before replacements can be Strengthening Road maintenance— Introducing Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Public adoption of 50% Electric Tanu Hala the municipal government fleet Vehicles (EVs) brought in. PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES Supporting asset and capacity measures: For vehicle waste - a central facility Environment Environment, Education & Culture Environment, Education, Inclusivity, for collection and disposal or preparation for export of scrapped vehicles. For Autonomy & Core Values data collection - laptops, tablets, drones and mobile apps. Location: For vehicle waste - Tongatapu only. For data collection - across Low emissions vehicles the whole Kingdom of Tonga. However, consideration needs to be given for 5 WORKFORCE & POLICY constraints around data collection in the outer islands, though this could, in Strengthening Road maintenance—Tanu Hala part, be overcome by technologies that facilitate remote data collection. 3 WORKFORCE Timeline: 2025 with a phased approach across all of Tongatapu only for Mandatory vehicle standards & incentives for more efficient vehicles vehicle waste; 2030 for improving data collection. 2 POLICY Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment and is also well Improved data collection aligned to Education, Autonomy, Culture and Core Values. 1 POLICY Links to Second NDC: None. Links to other mitigation sectors: Waste for disposal of vehicles and boats, Preparatory activities for public adoption of 50% EVs including setting up of a central facility for collection and vehicle disposal. 9 WORKFORCE Preparatory activities for non-motorised & cycling transport 8 TECHNICAL & WORKFORCE Strengthen Sustainable Maintenance of all vehicles Emergency services in every district 7 TECHNICAL & WORKFORCE 4 WORKFORCE 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Reducing 13% (16 Gg) Tonga Climate Resilient Transport Sector Project Reduce GHG 2019–2024 (World Bank) emissions from road transport by 28% Phased approach across Tongatapu for vehicle waste 1 POLICY Introduce EVs in the municipal government fleet 6 TECHNICAL Pilots start for cycling paths and pedestrianization 8 WORKFORCE AND INVESTMENT Pilot starts for public for public adoption of 50% EVs 9 TECHNICAL AND INVESTMENT Full implementation for non-motorised & cycling transport 8 WORKFORCE AND INVESTMENT Image: Traffic congestion at Veitongo, Tongatapu as Existing Second NDC Targets Full implementation for public adoption of 50% EVs vehicles are headed to the eastern side of the island 9 TECHNICAL AND INVESTMENT in the evening. Taken in 2021. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 43 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS TRANSPORT TRANSPORT TRANSPORT TRANSPORT ACTION 2 ACTION 3 ACTION 4 ACTION 5 Mandatory vehicle standards Strengthening road Decentralization of services Low emissions vehicles. and incentives for more efficient maintenance—Tanu Hala. from urban to rural areas to GHG emission reduction potential: Medium. vehicles through tax, fees and decrease traffic congestion. Description: Mandatory vehicle standards for GHG emission reduction potential: Low. import tariffs. newly purchased light duty vehicles (private Description: This action refers to improved GHG emission reduction potential: Low. cars, taxis, minivans, etc.) with incentives road maintenance focusing on pothole repair Description: This action involves focusing on through taxes, fees and import tariffs. The GHG emission reduction potential: Medium. and road resurfacing. This will reduce travel decentralisation of services from urban to rural action would include policies favouring Description: This action involves policy, costs, including movement of agricultural areas in order to decrease traffic congestion low emissions vehicles, the introduction of regulations and/or incentives to increase produce to markets, and support introduction around Tongatapu, but it is also applicable regulations and standards, enforcement of uptake of more energy efficient, lower of newer vehicles, e-vehicles, as well as cycling to the centre of island districts. This action penalties for non-compliant vehicles (this could emissions conventional vehicle technologies. and walking where road resurfacing can be includes a strategic plan for decentralising be enforced at the border, with the importer), Policies to operationalise this will include combined with introduction of dedicated services, incentives to locate or relocate key incentives for compliant vehicles (both for bans on certains types of vehicles, regulations cycle paths and pavements. To implement utility services/agencies offices outside of importers and consumers, to encourage on imported vehicles to meet low sulfur this action, standards (tanu Hala) with regular Nuku’alofa CBD so that people can reach purchase). standards (e.g. Euro 4), high import tariffs reporting and greater transparency will be services locally, expansion of internet services introduced, and weight limits for trucks will be Supporting asset and capacity measures: on inefficient vehicles and lower tariffs for through the development of apps and digitised put in place. A road asset management system Infrastructure - new inspection buildings and efficient vehicles, and a maximum age of services, incentives for employees to move/ will be implemented to support this action. equipment for testing vehicles. Short courses imported vehicles of 5 years. This will be work in decentralised offices, and recruitment and vocational training would be implemented accompanied by enforcement with penalties. Supporting asset and capacity measures: of staff based in decentralised locations. This for enforcement agency staff, government An awareness raising campaign will support Infrastructure - road repairs and resurfacing action may also involve encouraging private employees, technicians and professionals. In behavioural change and promote the benefits will be needed as well as road maintenance companies to decentralise services and the medium term tertiary studies could also of this approach, as well as raise awareness of trucks. For capacity building, a range of short operations over a certain size, and to provide support this action as standards evolve. A enforcement and penalties. term and medium term measures are needed, minibus services for employee pick-up and communications strategy would be needed to Supporting asset and capacity measures: including on the job training and short courses drop-off in mornings and afternoons. support effective implementation of this action. Inspection equipment and buildings, or specific for road repair contractors, truck owners and Supporting asset and capacity measures: Capacity building in the short term would focus areas for tests and inspections. Capacity drivers and government employees, particularly Infrastructure - parking and road maintenance on awareness raising for the general public, measures will need to involve a broad range of those involved in roads and transport work. (linked to Action 3), Internet access and including multiple rounds of awareness raising stakeholders. General awareness raising with Location: All of Tonga. digitisation of services and buildings for and outreach programs to communities. the public in the short and medium , to provide decentralised services. Capacity building Timeline: 2030. Location: All of Tonga. everyone with good access to information, measures will need to continue from medium particularly on enforcement and penalties. Principles: This action is well aligned to Timeline: 2030. Environment. to long term, including awareness raising Delivery of this action will also need short for the general public, short courses for Principles: This action is highly aligned with courses for government officials, technicians Links to Second NDC: None. Autonomy and well aligned with Environment government employees and professionals and and mechanics, customs officers, transport civil Links to other mitigation sectors: Human vocational training for technicians. and Inclusivity. servants, owners of large commercial fleets Settlements for road planning. Link to Second NDC: This action supports the and other private sector professionals. And Location: This action would start with Nuku’alofa and the Tongatapu districts, then NDC target of a 2 percent efficiency gain per these capacity building measures will need to year for newly purchased light duty vehicles continue periodically for the medium term, to also be implemented for the centre of each island district. Locations would be further through either establishing mandatory vehicle embed behaviour change. standards and/or incentives for purchasing defined by the strategic plan for decentralising Location: All of Tonga. services. more efficient vehicles through taxes, fees, or Timeline: 2030. import tariffs. Timeline: 2040, with emergency services Principles: This action is highly aligned to available in every district by 2050. Links to other mitigation sectors: Energy Education and well aligned to Environment, (energy efficiency). Principles: This action is highly aligned to Inclusivity, Culture and Traditional Knowledge. inclusivity and is well aligned to Environment, Link to Second NDC: This action supports the Education, Autonomy and Core Values. NDC target of a 2 percent efficiency gain per Links to Second NDC: None. year for newly purchased light duty vehicles through either establishing mandatory vehicle Links to other mitigation sectors: Urban standards and/or incentives for purchasing Planning and Energy (particularly energy more efficient vehicles through taxes, fees, or efficiency). import tariffs. Links to other mitigation sectors: Waste for disposal of old and inefficient vehicles including setting up of a central facility for vehicle disposal. 44 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 45 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS TRANSPORT TRANSPORT TRANSPORT ACTION 6 ACTION 7 ACTION 8 Introducing electric vehicles Strengthen sustainable Implementation of non-motorised and cycling (EVs) in the municipal maintenance of all vehicles. transport options. government fleet. GHG emission reduction potential: Low. GHG emission reduction potential: Unknown. GHG emission reduction potential: Low, but Description: This action focuses on overhaul Description: This action focuses on the expansion and creation of new cycling the potential to grow significantly beyond the and maintenance services for all types and pedestrian pathways/sidewalks both within and outside the central government fleet as EVs are implemented. of vehicles, and enforcement of related business district of Nuku’alofa. It includes the development of an integrated Description: This action focuses on making regulations for both public and government urban planning program (homes, employment, transport), dedicated cycle the municipal government fleet 100 percent vehicle fleets. lanes, pedestrians-only city centre areas (cyclist and pedestrians only paths electric. The government would lead by Supporting asset and capacity measures: /roads) and permanent removal of import duties for bicycles. This will be example to implement a pilot project for This action would involve the introduction of brought together under a green cities program with a sustained 5-year e-vehicles in the municipal fleet. safety inspections to assist with enforcement awareness raising campaign on health benefits of cycling and walking. Supporting asset and capacity measures: of maintenance every 3 years. Inspection In the past, Tongans walked a lot, so there are strong linkages to culture The action requires procurement of EVs equipment and new inspection buildings which can be reactivated, making this a matter of learning from the past and for the government municipal fleet and attached to current garages would be needed. building it into the future of sustainable transport and community health. charging stations at government buildings. The action would also support implementation Given that it offers many all-round benefits and fits well into traditional It would need changes to policies around of ISO14000 and ISO 9001:2015 and other Tongan life, non-motorised transport is a high priority. vehicle procurement, and awareness raising international best practice and standards, Supporting asset and capacity measures: Infrastructure - adapting road among civil servants and the general public. as well as insurance policies for fleets, layouts and creating safe separation between different modes of transport, It also requires piloting the introduction of maintenance and inspection programs, and adding cycle lanes and space and infrastructure for parking bikes safely, new regulations and standards for electric green procurement policies. adding pavements /sidewalks and creating new dedicated paths for cycles vehicles. As a pilot, the action will need to Implementation within ministries from top to and pedestrians. Creating green spaces and pathways which make it pleasant include Information and Communications bottom of management would encourage fleet to cycle or walk in pedestrianised or exclusively cycling areas. Technology (ICT) for monitoring, collection management programs to be put in place. As This action will require a broad range of capacity building (awareness raising, and storage of EV operational data - this significant changes in attitudes towards vehicle short courses, tertiary and vocational training well as integrating information will be very important to enabling planning maintenance will be needed, behavioural into lessons in primary and secondary schools (e.g. about the environmental around future EV applications. There will also change would also be supported through and health benefits of cycling and walking) amongst target groups. These be close cooperation and exchange of data on various measures. This capacity building will groups include the general public, women and youth, government employees, electricity with TPL. Capacity building for the be mainly short term and include awareness primary and secondary school teachers and students and professionals in pilot will be needed in the short term, including raising and short courses for the general public urban planning and transport. Capacity building needs to start immediately short courses and ongoing training for Ministry and government employees. and continue into the medium and long term as the action is envisioned to be drivers and mechanics and government Location: All four main island groups. implemented all the way to 2050. employees, with Ministries involved in the EV Timeline: 2030 in incremental phases. Behavioural change and community and individual participation will also be fleet pilot being fully engaged in maintenance, important and will form a significant component of this action. Studies will Principles: This action has good alignment to management and data collection. Awareness be carried out to determine how to influence behaviour through enforcement the Environment principle. raising among all Ministry staff as well as the and incentives, and to uncover which initiatives might work best with general public would be undertaken. Links to Second NDC: None. different target groups. A communications strategy will be developed and a Location: Nuku’alofa. Links to other mitigation sectors: None. long term awareness campaign implemented. Incentives and requirements Timeline: 2025. for ministries and larger companies to provide facilities to encourage cycling Principles: This action is highly aligned to by employees like showers, changing rooms, personal lockers and secure bike Environment and Education and well aligned to parking will also be implemented. Culture. Location: Nuku’alofa. Links to Second NDC: None. Timeline: 2022 - preparatory activities and some actions (such as Links to other mitigation sectors: Energy and sidewalk construction underway); 2025 - pilots start for cycling paths and particularly renewable electricity generation. pedestrianisation; 2030 - 2050 - full implementation. Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment, Traditional Knowledge and Culture and well aligned to Inclusivity, Autonomy, Education and Core Values. Links to Second NDC: None. Links to other mitigation sectors: Human Settlements for urban planning. 46 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 47 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS TRANSPORT ACTION 9 Public adoption of 50 percent Infrastructure - EV charging stations and parking spaces as well as safer roads for electric vehicles (EVs). electric bikes. Introduction of a variety of EV technology including private vehicles (bikes, GHG emission reduction potential: Medium to cars, minivans), electric buses and taxis and high, depending on percentage of electricity electric motors for small boats. derived from renewables to charge EVs. A broad range of capacity building (awareness Description: Tongatapu is a very well suited raising, on-the-job training, short courses, location for EVs, it has the population, it is flat, tertiary and vocational training) will also be only 60 and 30km in each direction. TPL are needed. This would need to start in 2022 and engaged in the discussion on EVs and have continue into the medium and long term, as started research to look into a transition to EVs the action is envisioned to be implemented all and what this means for electricity generation. the way to 2050. Target groups for capacity This action would follow-on from the piloting building are the general public, youth, car of EVs within the government municipal fleet dealers, government employees, car mechanics, (Action 6). It involves expanded adoption of EVs TPL staff and professionals in urban planning to the public, including different types of light and transport. duty EVs (cars, bikes, minivans, etc.). Location: Phase 1 - Nuku’alofa; Phase 2 - all of Supporting asset and capacity measures: Tongatapu. Introduction of national EV regulations and Timeline: 2022 - preparatory activities standards - to ensure safety and good quality, start; 2025 - pilots start; 2030 to 2050 - full introduction of regulations and standards for implementation. battery management and disposal, alignment Principles: This action is highly aligned to of incentives for tax/duties/tariffs with the Environment and well aligned to Education, different stakeholders (car dealers, consumers Inclusivity, Autonomy and Core Values. and TPL), provide rebates for EV purchasers Image: View of Taufa’ahau Road from the Tungi Colonnade Building in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. and for charging station set-up, create special Links to Second NDC: None. parking spaces reserved for EVs and the option Links to other mitigation sectors: Energy, of a shared EV scheme may also be explored. particularly renewable electricity generation. 3.3.3 Socio-economic and environmental considerations These initiatives would start with studies to Note that renewable energy generation would determine which EV and charging technologies need to increase significantly to cater for Skills and Sustainable transportation is a new field of work with limited experience to focus on and the optimal design and demand from EVs, in order to achieve emission capacity on the ground in Tonga. A broad range of capacity building measures implementation of incentives schemes. reductions. strengthening (awareness raising, on-the-job training, short courses, tertiary and vocational needed training) would therefore be needed. Additionally, integrating information into lessons in primary and secondary schools (e.g. about the environmental and health benefits of cycling and walking, how EVs work, etc.) will need to be implemented, starting as soon as possible to begin building knowledge. The acquisition of knowledge, skills and experience will be a long term undertaking, An additional This strategy will be ready as a first draft in November 2021 and will inform all the way to 2050. Target groups for capacity building also range widely, action arising interventions for low emission development in the maritime sector. It can from the general public, to women and youth and government employees which has not therefore complement actions focused on the land Transport sector, as laid (particularly those involved in energy, transport, road construction and urban been prioritised out in this LT-LEDS. planning), to primary and secondary school teachers and students at the but is currently A further specific action for maritime transport is the implementation of vocational and tertiary level, private sector car dealers, mechanics, technicians underway is ferry transportation across the Fanga’uta Lagoon. This would involve the and professionals in energy, transport, civil engineering and urban planning. the completion public leaving their vehicles behind and using the lagoon ferry to travel to of a maritime Overseas training/courses will be helpful in expanding local experience Nuku’alofa instead of driving. The ferry could be electric - an option that transport low by integrating innovative and new technologies from countries where could be explored in future. GHG emissions EVs are already implemented. This will apply to a broad range of areas strategy. Additionally, the option of an electric bus network was explored but not such as policy-making, regulations and standards for EVs, as well as prioritised, though this may be revisited in future as E-Buses are being technologies, maintenance and implementation. To complement this, capacity studied as a potential pilot for the TERM-PLUS which is being completed in strengthening for data collection, management and storage is needed. This 2021. To date, biofuel has not offered a cost effective option. It also conflicts can also be facilitated through increased availability and use of electronic with food security and thus has not been considered in this LT-LEDS. Further equipment such as laptops, tablets, storage devices/servers as well as drones exploration of biofuels as an alternative fuel for both land and maritime and mobile apps which could enable remote data collection. transport may be revisited in future, although potential conflict with food security will again need to be carefully examined, as food security would always be a priority. 48 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 49 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Cross-sectoral There are strong linkages between the land Transport sector and energy through vehicle and battery collection, scrappage and disposal management considerations efficiency and urban planning. For example, action on pedestrianisation of systems put in place early. Another area of risk in terms of waste, is Nuku’alofa and appropriate road and pathway design for e-vehicles, cycling where there is an increase of electronic equipment for data collection and and walking will need to be coordinated with urban planning entities and management for the e-waste which must be disposed of in a safe manner. undergo broad consultation across communities involved. There will also be benefits: lower GHG emission vehicles will also reduce ICT can play an important role in supporting decentralisation of services. other pollutants such as sulfur and particles, so there will be co-benefits for In this respect, reliable internet could be a major factor alongside key the environment and there are also significant social co-benefits in terms infrastructure investment. The latter not only refers to the decentralisation of better health outcomes from increased walking and cycling which can of physical infrastructure, but also the human resource needed to operate contribute to reduced obesity and reduced non-communicable diseases. and maintain it. It would, therefore, also involve the management of human resources potentially across a number of ministries and the civil service. This Key gaps data Data management is fragmented with responsibilities shared among the could be assisted by short courses and vocational training to be provided for and solutions Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), PAT, the Tonga Statistics Department (TSD), staff who are recruited to decentralised posts. and the Ministry of Revenue and Customs (MORC). The private sector also The sector also has close linkages with health and healthier lifestyle choices, collects important trade performance information, but this is not always such as cycling and walking, which could deliver added benefits such as publicly available due to confidentiality issues. As the Transport sector is one reduced obesity and incidence of non-communicable diseases in Tonga. of Tonga’s main GHG emitters, a coordinated effort is needed with a number of Ministries involved, including MEIDECC, MTED, the TSD, and development Gender and The actions needed in this pathway include significant communication and partners, in order to improve data collection and availability. This will enable social inclusion awareness raising among the general public and other groups. In order to be planning to allow a future where the Transport sector makes a greater considerations as effective and efficient as possible, this awareness raising must take into contribution to emission reductions, and allow for more detailed emission account gender and the roles of different groups within the Transport sector, reduction targets to be set during the 2025 NDC revision process. and be tailored to reach all audiences. Where behaviour change is desired, Improved data for the Transport sector is a top priority as identified in the incentives should also take into account different characteristics among pathway action 1. As well as improved data collection for the number of gender and society groups. vehicles, and vessels, number of passengers, transport routes and length Development of policies should include a gender-sensitive approach. of journeys, improved data is also needed regarding vehicle stock and Changes in transportation regulations, standards and other issues need to be vehicle efficiency, passenger/traveller behaviour and preferences, cargo as transparent as possible, with information available to the public in a timely volumes by mode of transport (passenger and freight kilometres by mode and effective manner. of transport), marine and aviation data. For example, there is currently no breakdown between passenger and freight kilometres travelled. Given that it Actions to improve non-motorised transport (walking, cycling), describes two different activities, namely the movement of people versus the decentralisation of services and improvements in public transport would offer movement of goods, such a breakdown would be useful for analysis and the major benefits around social inclusion, making services more easily available development of projections. to all segments of the population. This is likely to boost access to services and facilitate improved transport options for low-income families, families without Improved data collection is also needed in order to distinguish clearly cars / access to private transport, women, the elderly and vulnerable groups. between fuel consumption for international and domestic aviation and international and domestic shipping. Being able to distinguish between these There is a risk to social inclusion if vehicles and compliance become too is relevant, as only GHG emissions from domestic aviation and shipping expensive for lower-income households. Further studies are therefore needed, are counted towards national emissions. This would require collection of to ensure cost distribution is right, with measures put in place to ensure petroleum product demand by type of end-use and mode of transport (e.g. equity in the transition to low emission vehicles. diesel for road transport versus diesel for shipping; fuel for domestic versus For capacity building and training it should be taken into consideration that international aviation/shipping). vehicle technicians and government drivers, as well as the maintenance and There is no information on the relevance of non-motorised transportation inspection sector for transport, etc. can be male dominated. Ways to also in Tonga though high vehicle ownership rate could indicate limited use of involve women across Transport sector actions will therefore need to be non-motorised transportation. However, there are a number of assumptions studied with an action plan developed, so that men and women are learning and caveats behind this assessment. Firstly, the high ownership rate per from new projects and experiences and skills development, with the creation household is based on the assumption that the large majority of households of potential jobs available to all. own more than one vehicle. Secondly, it assumes that vehicles owned by a household are shared by individual household members. Thirdly, it assumes Environmental Where additional transport infrastructure is put in place the appropriate EIAs that the vehicle is frequently used. These assumptions should be further and social would need to be undertaken. For example, there may be some infrastructure investigated through surveys, interviews and other data collection such as safeguards such as e-mobility charging stations, cycle paths and sidewalks needing an adding questions to the census, to gather information on non-motorised considerations EIA if in new areas. However, most infrastructure will already likely be built on transport. existing roads and will not need EIA. Finally, there is no systematic collection of passenger and freight data in There are risks that as vehicles are replaced they are dumped instead of being the aviation sector by the Civil Aviation Division (CAD), CAD can, however, scrapped properly and that as e-vehicle batteries need to be replaced they request data on passenger numbers and freight from operators, which would are dumped instead of disposed of safely. Both these risks must be managed improve data for domestic aviation for future analysis. 50 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 51 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.4 Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) And Fisheries

3.4.1 Context Introduction Agriculture, forestry and other land uses along a national forestry inventory is needed. The with fisheries form an integral part of Tonga’s forestry sector is mainly government managed economy and culture and are the leading with limited private sector initiatives other than productive sectors for Tonga (IFAD, 2017) as nursery seedlings. The government runs forest well as AFOLU being the largest source of nurseries and small-scale sawmilling, mainly GHG emissions. as part of cyclone response and recovery works. Since the early 1970s, there has been Agriculture, fisheries, and forestry provide a focus on developing timber plantations in 30 percent-40 percent of employment, ‘Eua and promoting public tree planting via contributing 18 percent of total GDP (2013/14) seedlings produced at forest nurseries run by and 44 percent of exports (MAFFF, 2015a). the Ministry of Agriculture Food, & Forests Agriculture, agroforestry, and fisheries are (MAFF). The main timber species promoted often the only sources of livelihoods in remote include Caribbean pine (Paini), Red cedar and isolated rural areas, therefore measures (Sita kula), Mahogany (Makoni), Teak (Tiki) that reduce emissions without adversely and Kauri (Kauli). While sandalwood is the affecting these livelihoods, will be key to prominent export forest product, its export is climate resilience. Subsistence agriculture currently banned under “Tonga Sandalwood Image: Displays of local seafood at the annual Royal Agricultural Show at Neiafu, Vava’u. Taken in 2019. predominates: only 5 percent of Tonga’s Regulation 2016” which seeks to promote farmers are commercial producers who engage replanting and safeguard unsustainable harvest directly with formal markets. Key agricultural of sandalwood. Invasive species such as the Relevant At the national level, the AFOLU sector draws direction from three of TSDF commodities are root crops (cassava, yam, Tulip and Kotia have also been introduced. national II’s outcomes: (i) urban and regional (island/rural) agriculture development; sweet potatoes and swamp taro), squash, Sawmilling, including coconut palm wood policies, (ii) good governance through the MAFF and (iii) sustainable environment and vanilla (MAFFF, 2015a). Coconut-based utilisation is a declining industry. There is sectoral policies and climate resilience. With regard to adaptation and building resilience to agroforestry was commercially important in growing demand, especially from women, and links with climate change, the JNAP2 identifies as a priority the implementation of the past, including for export markets, and for multipurpose trees/plant varieties for the LT-LEDS climate-smart agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture and water management offers potential for future economic growth. landscaping and floriculture activities, hence a approaches. Areas in common with the LT-LEDS include community Animal husbandry is locally important. In 2015 growing number of small, private tree nurseries engagement; data collection and management; operational monitoring there were 100,000 pigs and 92,071 chickens operate in Tongatapu. systems for groundwater, soil health and coastal conditions; and involvement in Tonga but few cattle, sheep, or horses. Fishing is among the most important economic of civil society organisations in raising awareness on climate change. Key Commercial forestry is limited, but many activities of Tongans for subsistence, semi- JNAP2 targets relevant to the AFOLU sector of the LT-LEDS are (1) resilient Tongans depend on forest products for their subsistence, and commerce, providing food fisheries development and marine and coastal ecosystems conservation, subsistence, and more depend on the various security and income (Kronen, 2004a & 2004b; including special management areas (SMAs); (2) resilient, low-chemical-input forms of agroforestry (combinations of trees FAO 2010) and contributing 3 percent of GDP or organic farming systems; and (3) allocation of 30 percent of Tonga’s land and other crops), including coconut (GCF, 2018). Fish (including live reef fish) to be used for agroforestry or forestry. woodlands, which cover much of Tonga’s land mass. dominated Tonga’s exports in 2013-14, at 22 At the sectoral level, the Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan (TASF) 2016-2020 percent, followed by crustaceans and other identifies the vision and priorities for maximising contributions from the There is considerable scope for boosting aquatic invertebrates at 20 percent and other agriculture sector both to national economic growth and to sustain Tonga’s agricultural productivity, but there are also marine products such as seaweed and live food security in the face of a changing world economy, looming climate considerable challenges. More than half (51 hard coral (FAO, nd; MAFF, 2015a). Fisheries change, and natural disasters in the Pacific. The TASF’s Programme 1, percent) of agricultural land is left fallow due production continues to fluctuate substantially ‘Climate-resilient environment and agricultural systems,’ is relevant for the to land rights issues and the high population due to changes in policy, resource depletion, LT-LEDS, while programs 2, 3, and 4 emphasise an enabling environment and of Tongan landowners living overseas (IFAD, and climate change impacting the distribution sustainability as well as linkages to livelihoods and healthy foods - elements 2017). Droughts and cyclones have a severe of tuna. Barriers to further development of which also form an important part of the LT-LEDS. impact on forestry and agriculture: for export markets are market access, unstable example, cyclone Ian and severe drought each market prices, and growing local demand (GCF, The Tonga Forestry Act 2016 has enabled the establishment of regulations caused extensive damage in 2014 and in 2016 2018). Numerous reports indicated that coastal for the protection, control, and management of forest reserves and has respectively (FAO, n.d; MAFFF, 2015a). fishery resources are close to overfishing and fostered and encouraged the growth of forest products. The Management degradation (Kronen & Bender, 2007; MAFF, Plan for the Forests and Tree Resources of Tonga (Forest Management Plan, The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) 2015b). Fisheries infrastructure remains at a low or FMP) 2017, prescribes actions to enhance the sustainable management has estimated that 4.3 percent of native forest level and requires further investment. of forests and tree resources. Other key documents are the Tonga National cover for all of Tonga is threatened, hence, Forest Policy (TNFP) 2009, which supports the sustainable management of 52 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 53 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Tonga’s forests and tree resources, and the Code of Practice for Sustainable Historical and Activities in the AFOLU sector account for 61 percent of Tonga’s GHG Management of Forests 2010, which provides practical guidelines for the current GHG emissions (NDC, 2020). Emissions from agriculture fell between 2000 and sustainable management of forest and tree resources of Tonga. The TNFP emissions 2006. The main greenhouse gasses released from the agricultural sector and FMP designate agroforestry as ‘the preferred form of productive land use are CO, CH4, NOx, N2O, and CO2 (Third National Communication, 2019). GHG in Tonga.’ The Tonga National Land use Policy is currently in its finalisation emissions sources by sub-categories are enteric fermentation, emissions from stage, led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR). LT-LEDS managed soils, prescribed burning of savanna, and urea fertilisation. Total AFOLU matters, as well as other sectors, will make necessary links and GHG emissions were 1.75 Gg - a very small portion of the total GHG inventory. affiliation to this national policy as needed. For land use, land use change, and forestry, CO2 was the only GHG identified. CO2 removals from forestry decreased from 1997.95 Gg in 2000 to 1879.37 Gg The Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-2024 is a framework for achieving the in 2006, and forestry emissions increased from 147.66 Gg in 2000 to 187.40 overall sector objective of ‘Increasing sustainable shared benefits for the Gg in 2006. The main cause of this change was conversion of forest and Kingdom from optimal use of its living marine resources’. It includes four grassland biomass. Changes in forest cover and other woody biomass and components: sustainable community fisheries, profitable commercial fisheries abandonment of managed lands also contributed to CO2 removal. However, and aquaculture, public and private investment, and governance and capacity uncertainty in land-use data and in the assumptions used to calculate GHG building. All four are reflected in the LT-LEDS. emissions and carbon sequestration from living biomass, undermines the In 2020, the Second NDC set two non-emission AFOLU mitigation sector reliability of GHG emissions estimates for the AFOLU sector. targets: (1) to establish a forest inventory as a prerequisite to identifying a GHG emission target for the 2025 NDC and (2) planting one million trees Current Green Environment Facility-funded Ridge to Reef (R2R) projects have been by 2023. For adaptation, the NDC sets an AFOLU target of 30 percent of initiatives ongoing for a number of years. The first component was completed recently land in Tonga to be utilised for agroforestry or forestry by 2025 (aligned to and focussed on the rehabilitation of the mangrove ecosystems around the JNAP2), and a fisheries target of maintaining existing stocks of fish and Tongatapu. The second component, Integrated Land and Agro-ecosystems other marine species through a commitment to expand the area covered Management Systems, is ongoing. There are several success stories from by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Special Management Areas (SMAs) these projects, including the adoption of biogas and organic/animal fertiliser to 30 percent of Tonga’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The LT-LEDS is as part of managing the roaming livestock that damages the environment aligned to these NDC targets and integrates action towards implementing etc; promoting community tree planting efforts via community nurseries and them. Overall, the AFOLU sector is cross-cutting across a number of SDGs, capacity buildings in related areas; introducing applicable and practical farming including: Good health and well-being (SDG 3), Decent work and economic practices through women and youth e.g. keyhole gardening, farmer field growth (SDG 8), Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), Climate action demonstrations, and wicking systems for household-level activities; and others. (SDG 13), Life below water (SDG 14), Life on land (SDG 15), and Partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). Tonga Community Development Trust is promoting aspects of conserving traditionally useful tree species and home gardening. Tonga National Youth Congress is promoting organic farming and certification targeting youth Responsible The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF) is responsible for policy and is involved in a number of resilient farming activities nationwide. MORDI Ministries and implementation for agriculture and forestry and chairs the Agricultural Tonga Trust has been carrying out the Tonga Rural Innovation Project since and Sector Growth Committee (v). The Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan is implemented 2018, with 122 rural communities. MORDI Tonga engages rural, remote and Stakeholders through the AGC, with the Minister of MAFF acting as chair of the AGC isolated outer islands including in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai islands, Vava’u along with a member of the private sector acting as co-chair. Members are islands, Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu. The government’s future climate mostly from the private sector including MORDI Tonga Trust, Food and change pipeline includes the project ‘Towards climate change resilient coastal Agricultural Organisation, Bilateral Agencies (Australia, New Zealand etc.) and fisheries and aquaculture in Tonga’, which will address effects of climate exporters, as well as MAFF’s six divisions representatives. Reporting on the change on coastal fisheries through integrated sustainable management implementation of the TASP is made regularly to the AGC. to ensure food security. The project will cover ecosystems and ecosystem For forestry, the Forestry Division is mandated to take charge of forest services, health, food and water security and livelihoods of vulnerable management and development, including development of policies and communities. This fits with targets under the Second NDC, JNAP2 and legislation. The division also monitors the state of forests in Tonga and fisheries sector plans and will also contribute to the LT-LEDS aims and promotes awareness on forests and forestry initiatives. The Department pathway for AFOLU, particularly in the fisheries sector. Another key project of Environment also undertakes nursery and tree planting activities. There for agriculture involves climate smart agriculture (CSA) approaches for is limited private sector involvement apart from the Aotearoa Forest Co. sustainable food and nutrition and secure livelihoods in Tonga, which aims to which is managing the forestry plantations on ‘Eua. Tonga Timber Limited contribute to achievement of targets of the NDC, JNAP2 and the Agriculture has also been involved in plantation management. Some non-governmental Sector Plan (MEIDECC 2020).3 organisations (NGOs) are undertaking awareness and tree planting programs with their local partner communities including MORDI Tonga Trust, the Tonga National Youth Congress and the Tonga Community Development Trust. The Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for policy and implementation in the fisheries sector. The Tonga Meteorological Division plays an important role in providing weather information to the sectors. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) has the mandate on all land management and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) also plays important cross-cutting roles in the sector. 3 Please refer to the NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan with Project Pipeline, Appendix B, for more information on current and planned projects 54 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 55 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS AFOLU

3.4.2 Sector Pathways For the AFOLU and Fisheries sector, promotion of best Sector Pathway Actions Over Time practices in agriculture, forestry and fisheries is the This sector’s vision is for: highest priority. This includes the need to strengthen 1 3 5 public-private partnerships among government ‘A resilient Fisheries and agencies, NGOs, village communities, church groups, Strengthen Public Private Partnership to drive requirements of Support Community Nurseries to improve the productivity and Establish SMA association and ensure its maintenance through farmer and fisher groups, and others, to enable sharing Agriculture, Forestry and of responsibilities among stakeholders to meet their organisations with the aim of sharing diversity of agroforestry financial support and capacity, in responsibility to promote best order to support the expansion of Land Use Tonga through PRINCIPLES objectives as organisations and jointly contribute to low practices in agriculture and forestry Environment, Inclusivity, Traditional MPAs and SMAs low emissions, low costs emissions actions. Data collection, management and PRINCIPLES Knowledge, Culture & Core Values PRINCIPLES Environment, Culture, Traditional accessibility is also a key part of agriculture, forestry, Environment, Education, Inclusivity, and sustainable systems.’ fisheries and land use work. Establishment of a forestry Autonomy & Core Values Knowledge, Core Values, Autonomy, Inclusivity & Education inventory and a digital library of information including traditional knowledge, are two key initiatives. 2 4 6 This pathway also focuses on the expansion of MPAs and Improve coordination of public and A proposal for low emissions, Empower women to sustain and SMAs and of sustainable, low emissions, low cost, high private sectors to strengthen and low cost, high productivity and enhance home gardening through harmonise existing data collections sustainable AFOLU approach to be commercialising their produce productivity and sustainable agriculture, forest and land for improved data monitoring and submitted to the Green Climate Fund PRINCIPLES use systems. A holistic and participatory approach is information management for the next funding cycle Inclusivity, Autonomy, Core Values, Culture envisioned. At the larger scale, this is with improvements PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES & Environment in agro-forestry and at the smaller scale, enhancing Environment Environment, Autonomy & Inclusivity home gardening. Training and capacity building will be extended to all stakeholders from village groups and NGOs, to farmers, fishers, forestry workers, government officials and private sector actors. 3rd phase of strengthening PPP 1 POLICY & WORKFORCE 2nd phase of strengthening PPP 1 POLICY & WORKFORCE 1st phase of strengthening PPP 1 POLICY & WORKFORCE 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 30% of land Establish SMA association to expand MPAs & SMAs Planting in Tonga to one be utilized for agroforestry or 5 FINANCING million trees forestry Improve data monitoring & information management 2 TECHNICAL & WORKFORCE Support community nurseries to improve agroforestry 3 WORKFORCE Proposal for Green Climate Fund 4 INVESTMENT Empower women to commercialise home garden produce 6 WORKFORCE AND POLICY Image: Tree Planting Activity at the Mango Tree Respite Center during the Department of Climate Change’s annual National Climate Change Awareness Week. The Tree Planting Activity focused on inclusive tree planting activities to include people living with disabilities. Taken in 2020. Existing Second NDC Targets 56 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Pathways AFOLU Improve coordination of public and private sectors to description ACTION 2 strengthen and harmonise existing data collections AFOLU Strengthen public private partnership to drive for improved data monitoring and information ACTION 1 requirements of organisations with the aim of sharing management. responsibility to promote best practices in agriculture GHG emissions reduction potential: This action, while not directly reducing and forestry. GHG emissions, will improve clarity and transparency for the AFOLU sector, providing a basis for the calculation of GHG emissions and carbon GHG emissions reduction potential: GHG emission potential is difficult to sequestration from forests and other woody biomass. Such an inventory will estimate for this action. Emissions reductions will be mainly indirect. serve as the foundation for quantifying GHG emissions from the sector and identifying a GHG emission target for the 2025 NDC. Description: This action will implement outreach campaigns to promote integrated agroforestry, with minimum tillage and free from fire, in areas Description: This action will establish the National Forest Inventory with designated for agriculture. It will promote agroforestry as ‘the preferred form carbon-stock assessment and monitoring of all forests and woodlands of productive land use in Tonga’ (TNFP 2009, FMP 2017). The action includes (including agro-forestry) as called for in the TNFP (2009) and the the promotion of best available, socially appropriate practices in all AFOLU Management Plan for the Forests and Tree Resources of Tonga (FMP 2017). sectors through agricultural, agroforestry and forestry extension services, This action will utilise high resolution satellite imagery where available, supported by public outreach. combined with airborne light detection and ranging and ground truthing, supported by long term ground based observations. The data will be used An important element of this work is to involve all stakeholders in planning for land use planning and a broad range of other information needs. This and implementation, including foresters, agriculturalists and grassroots action includes improving coordination between public and private sectors implementers, such as local NGOs and church groups, as well as ensuring and harmonising existing data collection through the AGC, mainstreaming the involvement of women and youth. As part of the planning for this necessary actions into Ministry Corporate Plans and annual budgets, and action, environmental policies, sector plans and traditional practices will be integrating relevant actions into the agricultural census. Market and crop reviewed and documented as a basis for making improvements, and this surveys will also be implemented at regular intervals. A national data and information will be disseminated to stakeholders. New enabling policy will information coordination and management group will be established, and also be required. Options include subsidies to farmers to encourage adoption data collection on outer islands will be enhanced through mobile phone of agroforestry, inter-cropping and other practices to retain and enrich applications and digitisation. soil organic matter (an important carbon stock). The AGC will drive these developments and promote partnership-building through enabling policy Supporting asset and capacity measures: This action requires computer changes. This action will contribute to the following SDGs: Sustainable cities hardware and software, mobile apps, tablets for entering data and services, and communities (SDG11), Life on land (SDG15) and Partnerships for the goals including cloud data storage services. Templates to collect data and (SDG17); and Tonga’s JNAP2 and Second NDC target for 30 percent of land information for each sector and sub-sector will be developed. Drones will also to be used for agroforestry or forestry as well as the NDC target to plant one increase ease of data collection and the geographic coverage that can be million trees by 2023. achieved, especially since some areas are inaccessible for humans. Significant short term capacity strengthening is needed including on the job training, Supporting asset and capacity measures: This action requires computer short courses and survey and data collection training including using trial and software supplies, procurement of agricultural and forestry materials, agro-forestry sites. The training will target government employees of relevant machines and tools, and marketing and partnership tools. Capacity departments including ICT, technical and extension staff, responsible NGOs, strengthening areas are to train program managers in government, private as well as secondary, tertiary and vocational students. A training plan will be sector and NGOs and provide on the job training in the short term. In the developed and some actions will continue in the medium term as needed. medium term short courses and mentoring, as well as peer-to-peer learning would be useful among government agencies and private sector/NGOs. Location: All of Tonga. Location: All of Tonga including households, communities, districts, outer Timeline: 2025. islands, schools, royal estates and government land. Principles: This action aligns well to Environment. Timeline: This action is split into three phases: present-2025 first phase, Links to Second NDC: The establishment of a national forestry inventory is 2026-2030 second phase and 2031-2040 third phase. one of the non-emission targets. Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment and Education and Links to other mitigation sectors: The data collected will also contribute to also has good alignment with Inclusivity, Autonomy and Core Values. planning for Energy from biomass. Links to Second NDC: This action will contribute to the mitigation target to plant one million trees by 2023 and the adaptation target of 30 percent of land in Tonga to be utilised for agroforestry or forestry by 2025. Links to other mitigation sectors: Waste and Energy for management and use of any increase in biomass waste (e.g. agricultural waste, woodchips/off-cuts). 58 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 59 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS AFOLU Support community nurseries to improve the AFOLU A proposal for low emissions, low cost, high ACTION 3 productivity and diversity of agroforestry. ACTION 4 productivity and sustainable AFOLU approach to be submitted to the Green Climate Fund for the next GHG emissions reduction potential: This action has high GHG reduction potential through enhancing Tonga’s carbon sinks. funding cycle. Description: This action will focus on improving the productivity and GHG emissions reduction potential: To be estimated during development of diversity of agroforestry for food, fibre and timber. In addition to its direct the proposal. economic benefits, this action will increase the standing stock (biomass) of multipurpose trees with productive and service functions in agroforestry Description: This action includes mainstreaming low emissions development systems, thus boosting carbon stocks. into MAFF policies, including the Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan and the National Forestry Policy and its Corporate plan, increasing private sector Tree density and carbon stocks per ha are moderate in these ecosystems, involvement, conducting bottom-up planning through the Community but agroforestry (including coconut woodlands) covers around 75 Development Plans (CDPs) and feasibility studies completed where needed. percent of Tonga’s total land area (FMP 2017), so the cumulative impact MAFF will be increasingly involved in low emissions planning and an AFOLU- is potentially high. Field testing (trials and demonstrations) will be carried based proposal will be developed and submitted for funding in the next GCF out to determine tree species that offer optimum potential to be part of funding cycle. agroforestry systems, types of agroforestry or mixed systems, trees for specific soil types and terrain, etc. This action includes creating incentives Supporting asset and capacity measures: There are no immediate asset for community nurseries to grow and distribute tree seedlings of productive needs. These will be determined during the proposal development. Capacity species as well as providing training through the private sector, NGOs, Civil strengthening will include short term on-the-job training and short courses Society Organisations (CSO), Community Based Organisations (CBO) and on policy and planning as well as proposal development, particularly for church groups. Nursery infrastructure, as well as planting materials and seeds, staff in MAFF, MEIDECC and private sector actors (NGOS, etc.). Longer term nursery tools and other support, will also be provided. A government financial capacity building needs will be determined during the proposal development. mechanism to sustainably support government-run nurseries is proposed, Location: To be determined during the proposal design and development. while an increasing proportion of funding will also be allocated to support Timeline: 2025. NGO, privately-run and community nurseries. To plan for implementation of Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment and well aligned to the action, a cost-benefit analysis and market study will be carried out to Autonomy and Inclusivity. determine the optimal selection of tree and non-tree species and to identify appropriate water, energy and other infrastructure needs. Links to Second NDC: This action links to the need to mobilise financing for the AFOLU sector as articulated in the NDC. Supporting asset and capacity measures: This action requires nursery infrastructure, supplies, tools and equipment, as well as fencing materials, Links to other mitigation sectors: These will be identified during proposal composting machines and vehicles for transportation of supplies, and market design and development. access, seedlings, planting materials, etc. All community nursery initiatives shall link to community, regional and national tree planting programs AFOLU Establish SMA association and ensure its maintenance whereby key targets will be set and timelines scheduled. Packing houses at each district will also support community crops sold locally and abroad. ACTION 5 through financial support and capacity, in order to Capacity strengthening measures will focus on communities, women and support the expansion of MPAs and SMAs. youth leaders, CSOs, CBOs, NGOS and church groups, and will include a community-based training program, with on the job training, short courses, GHG emissions reduction potential: Low. mentoring and transfer of traditional knowledge will be developed and Description: This action aligns directly with the JNAP2 and Second NDC implemented. NGOs and CSOs will also receive support from relevant regional objectives to expand MPAs and SMAs to cover 30 percent of Tonga’s EEZ. organisations. More broadly, it will also support resilient fisheries development and marine Location: All of Tonga. and coastal ecosystems conservation. At the policy level, the action includes Timeline: 2025, with different initiatives needing to take place in parallel to developing a national consensus on the definition of MPAs and SMAs and meet this timeline. aligning this to international and regional definitions, amendment of laws, Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment and Inclusivity and establishment of a national SMA association, strengthening enforcement, and also well aligned to Traditional Knowledge, Culture and Core Values. conducting feasibility studies to explore financial instruments (such as ‘blue Links to Second NDC: This action will contribute to the mitigation target to bonds’), dedicated funds, and other options for financing MPAs and SMAs. plant one million trees by 2023 and the adaptation target of 30 percent of An important part of this action is empowering and involving communities in land in Tonga to be utilised for agroforestry or forestry by 2025. all steps, to expand and strengthen MPAs and SMAs. Building relationships Links to other mitigation sectors: Increased stock and improved between communities and the national government, together with the management of biomass and agroforestry waste products may contribute to devolution of some decision making to communities to manage their own Energy production. resources, will foster community ownership and strengthen enforcement, particularly for SMAs. Links between national government and communities should be fostered through ongoing and reciprocal communication. Supporting asset and capacity measures: Equipment for mapping, monitoring, marketing, and communications as well as small boats and safety equipment for coastal and maritime operations are also needed for this action. Capacity strengthening measures are continuously needed for 60 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 61 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS the long term including on the job training, short courses, mentoring and • Protect mangrove forests: protect all (100 percent) of intact mangrove transfer of traditional knowledge. Capacity building and training will be Additional forests and other coastal vegetation, as called for in the 2009 National for government staff, private dive operators (particularly mentoring), SMA actions Forest Policy and 2017 Forest Management Plan. Tree density and association members, local communities and women and youth leaders. identified but carbon stock are high per ha. This would include amending the current Location: All of Tonga, and particularly the outer islands. not prioritised policy regarding mangrove management, and an approach to explore at this time are would be payment for ecosystem services. This action would also Timeline: 2030 - with involvement of communities in SMAs essential to listed to the include rehabilitation of mangrove forests. meeting this timeline. Principles: This action is highly aligned to Environment, Culture, Traditional right. These can • Rehabilitation of the Fanga’uta Lagoon of Tongatapu, which once Knowledge and Core Values and is also well aligned to Autonomy, Inclusivity be considered provided abundant shellfish (Toó, Kuku, etc) and fish (particularly and Education. again in future mullet) to its communities. This lagoon has played a major part in the discussions life of the surrounding communities, with more than 85 percent of the Links to Second NDC: This action supports the NDC adaptation target around a low population of Tongatapu residing within its catchment and beyond. to maintain existing stocks of fish and other marine species through a emissions future First steps would be to survey the existing marine life and implement an commitment to expand the area covered by MPAs and SMAs to 30 percent of for Tonga: SMA or MPA as appropriate. Tonga’s EEZ. Links to other mitigation sectors: None. • Creating new products / greater use of current byproducts: Upscaling biogas systems and production and diversifying the use of waste / agricultural bi-product (e.g. manure). Also piloting algae to biofuels, AFOLU Empower women to sustain and enhance home nutraceuticals and fertiliser for agriculture and healthy soils. This would ACTION 6 gardening through commercialising their produce. represent a new field of work and decrease the need for imported fuels while increasing self-reliance. GHG emissions reduction potential: Low. Description: Expand production and improve productivity of home gardens, Overall, traditional knowledge is very important in Tongan agriculture, forestry including household agroforestry, with particular attention to home gardens and fisheries and is integral to the forms of sustainable agriculture and managed by women. This initiative is replicable in nearly every household, agroforestry practiced for centuries in Tonga. Traditional agricultural practices using practices that can easily be taught, and could therefore reach 90 have been well adapted to Tonga’s environment and historical climatic percent or more of Tongan households. The action will empower women conditions and are still followed by most rural, small-holder farmers. However, and youth groups to derive greater benefits from home gardening by short term commercial opportunities and, in some places, local pressure on commercialising their produce for sale at local markets. It is expected to available land, have driven a shift to less sustainable practices, leading to soil stimulate productivity of land and boost food production and local income, loss and conversion of carbon-rich woodlands to carbon-poor open fields. as well as reducing emissions by increasing and sustaining carbon stocks in Smallholder farmers require assistance to adapt to climate change and to garden soils and biomass. ensure that their agriculture and agroforestry activities will contribute to LT- LEDS mitigation actions. Policy changes to support this action will be needed down to the town council level, to facilitate women’s use of unattended town allotments, Examples include the need for provision of quality open-pollinated seeds, provide organic and green agriculture incentives, and to make micro- new varieties of climate and pest-resistant crops with shorter harvest cycles, financing available for seeds, tools, and planting and fencing materials. and advice on the use of organic materials for mulching, composting, and Women will also need support to get their produce to market. Appropriate fertilising. Promoting traditional agriculture and agroforestry by helping technology to support food production, weather forecasting, and access to farmers understand its benefits is an important part of moving the AFOLU markets is also needed, with follow-up support from extension officers. At the sector towards lower emissions. Promotion can use success stories, community level, local Town Officers and District Officers can mobilise sub- consultations with communities, and incentive programs for farmers and committees and councils to begin this initiative with community members. farming communities - including women and youth groups - to motivate the This action is directly linked to community development plans as well as to a changes that are needed. new food and health policy. A key challenge for the AFOLU sector is the increasing demand for meat Supporting asset and capacity measures: None. products, with imports rising in recent years to meet it. While there is Location: The action will start in Tongatapu and will be progressively potential to increase livestock production in Tonga, there is also a high risk introduced to all of Tonga’s islands. that this would cause increased GHG emissions, unless initiatives are well planned and implemented through a climate-smart approach, including Timeline: 2025 if funding can be mobilised quickly, otherwise 2030. comprehensive waste recycling. Principles: This action is highly aligned to Inclusivity, Autonomy and Core Values and well aligned to Culture and Environment. Links to Second NDC: This action will contribute to the mitigation target to plant one million trees by 2023 and the adaptation target of 30 percent of land in Tonga to be utilised for agroforestry or forestry by 2025. Links to other mitigation sectors: None. 62 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 63 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.4.3 Socio-economic and environmental considerations Environmental Where there are changes in land use, for example, from open field farming and social to agroforestry, among actions to implement LT-LEDS, environmental and Skills and Strengthening and expanding technical expertise by education and training safeguards social impact studies should be carried out as required. These should include capacity is a key cross-cutting element for all LT-LEDS action in the AFOLU sector. considerations consultation with landowners and communities to investigate potential building needed Broad capacity building will be required for a diverse range of stakeholders, positive and negative environmental and social (E&S) impacts. In the case including government IT and technical staff; and non-government agencies in of data management and collection, there should be minimal E&S impact; the AFOLU sector (MAFF, MEIDECC, etc); secondary, vocational, and tertiary for example, using drones in remote areas will not disturb the natural students; NGOs, CBOs, and civil society organisations (such as community environment. groups, committees and councils, women’s and youth groups, and church Biosecurity should be considered when introducing new climate-smart seeds groups); SMA association members and private dive operators; and other and plants, particularly to avoid the risk of introducing potentially invasive private sector organisations (such as business associations). species to which Tonga’s fauna and flora (including traditional crops) are While most of the required training needs to take place in the short to vulnerable. Existing invasive species need to be managed carefully, with medium term, some actions require capacity building to continue for the long priority given to plants and tree species indigenous to Tonga, where these term. Options to explore to boost capacity include potential graduate pools can provide suitable productive and service functions. On the other hand, that are not being utilised which can be brought into the AFOLU sector; some invasive species have also had positive impacts on land protection and and incentivising the Tongan diaspora with the required skills to return to soil improvement. Tonga. An effort should also be made to tap into knowledge of traditional In cases where actions remain at the small-scale level such as those involving landowners and experts now present in retired communities who are willing communities, village groups, households, and on land already under use, to contribute their knowledge. Bringing in expertise for short term and long the E&S risks are low. However, if these actions are scaled-up and applied term support from the Pacific region and globally could also help bridge across Tonga, potential E&S risks should be examined. New policies and gaps in specific knowledge and skills ,until these become available in Tonga. plans developed for low emissions should incorporate E&S risk assessment Agencies such as The Pacific Community and the Secretariat of the Regional and mitigation actions, and apply environmental and biodiversity protection Environment Programme (SPREP) can assist in boosting expertise available. laws as needed. For conservation and protection measures (such as SMAs), environmental risks should be minimal, and benefits strong. However, if there Cross-sectoral Actions for AFOLU require a cross-sectoral approach encompassing are potentially negative social impacts such as the displacement or disruption considerations agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and interlinkages between these sectors. of traditional livelihoods, social risks should be assessed and mitigating This means actions will have to be implemented through close coordination actions taken. of the various ministries and departments responsible for those sectors, as well as among a number of other Ministries and agencies that can play a Key data gaps Data gaps are recognised and actions included in the AFOLU and fisheries supporting role. Coordination will also be needed to gain access to finance. and solutions pathway to address them, particularly the establishment of a National Beyond those specific sectors, there are strong linkages with food security, Forestry Inventory, remote-sensing and mapping, and collecting information health, disaster risk management and livelihoods. Actions taken for emissions to make a digital library. Limitations around available data and resources reduction should be designed to avoid negative impacts in these areas or constrains analysis of Tonga’s forestry and agroforestry and leads to to mitigate impacts that cannot be avoided. Low agricultural productivity, uncertainty in quantifying GHG emissions and carbon sequestration from increasing food imports, and dietary shifts towards high fat, low quality meats forests and other woody biomass. The establishment of a forest inventory will and low fibre carbohydrates are already negatively impacting Tongan food resolve this issue and would also assist in tracking progress towards the one security and health (Veatupu et al., 2019). The actions laid out in the AFOLU million trees planted goal of the Second NDC. For fisheries, improved data pathway are intended to deliver co-benefits to strengthen domestic food for production over time, export and licensing statistics and strengthened production, food security, and health. There is also potential for cross-sectoral statistical information will allow for better planning. co-benefits from using forest and farm waste to generate energy. Additionally, Improved data availability across AFOLU and fisheries will enhance feasibility natural disaster response and recovery is an essential component of forestry and other studies needed to implement a low emissions pathway. In terms of and agriculture, as timber is needed in the aftermath of natural disaster emission reduction estimates and calculations, the Global Warming Potentials events: rebuilding and resiliency of domestic agriculture are important (GWP) values used to calculate GHG inventory results are not clear at the to recovering quickly in order to provide food security and complement moment. This needs to be clearly reflected, to improve transparency. For emergency food supplies. future reviews of the NDC, National Communications and the LT-LEDS, a clear statement on the methodology, values, formulas and any default values used Gender and Consideration of gender and social inclusion is critical in the AFOLU sector, will improve transparency, reporting and planning for emission reductions. social inclusion as land ownership, access, and roles differ between men and women. Most considerations (88 percent) of employment in agriculture, fisheries and forestry is male (MAFFF 2015a). The actions described above will need to take into account these differences and strive to be inclusive, with proactive efforts made to ensure the inclusion of men, women, and marginalised and vulnerable groups is woven into the different initiatives, from policy and investments to outreach, training and capacity building. The initiatives also need to be replicable and sustainable at a community level, with inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups. New policies for AFOLU to support low emission development should be designed to mainstream gender and inclusivity and take into account the Tonga Gender Policy and Action Plan. 64 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 65 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.5 Waste Relevant national Tonga’s relevant legislation includes the Waste Management Act (2005) provides a comprehensive legislative base for the effective development and policies, management of the sector. The Act allows for setting up the waste authority sectoral policies and mandating its functions, powers and responsibilities. In addition the

3.5.1 Context and links with Environmental Management Act (2010) governs the disposal of hazardous the LT-LEDS waste and chemicals and the transportation of all kinds of waste. While the Introduction Environment Management (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations (2016) have been effectively implemented in partnership with local governments and Waste management in Tonga has In terms of climate impact, emissions have also served as a tool for community education. been gradually improving over the are assumed to be minimal presently, In terms of policy, Tonga’s Second NDC has a non-emission target of expanding last decade. Waste collection has and the more important waste the formal waste collection system, including the collection of relevant data increased, leading to a reduction in challenge lies in the link to water on waste amounts and waste composition, as a prerequisite to identifying a open burning of waste, particularly supplies and adaptation of the GHG emissions target for the sector in the 2025 NDC. The Tonga Strategic on the main island. Most waste is surrounding ecosystem. If waste is Development Framework 2015-2025 (TSDF II) includes Organisational sent to landfill as there is minimal unmanaged on the islands, it can Outcome 5.3: ‘Cleaner environments and less pollution from household and recycling capacity. There is a lack of permeate into groundwater and business activities building on improved waste management, minimisation and recent data, though it is estimated ecosystems, polluting fragile systems recycling, making conditions safer, healthier and more pleasant for residents that between 10,000 and 16,000 such as the oceans, coral reefs, and and visitors’. It also contains a specific target of 100 percent enforcement of tonnes of waste are produced per bringing harm to the rich biodiversity the ‘inefficient electrical appliance ban’ at border control. year. A solid waste composition present. The target for the Waste assessment in Tongatapu (ADB, sector is to ultimately reduce waste Responsible The key government bodies are the Department of Environment through the 2014) revealed that 33 percent of and increase recycling, but this Ministries Waste Management and Pollution Control (WMPC) Division and the Waste municipal waste is green waste is based on obtaining adequate and sector Authority Limited (WAL), a government-owned enterprise. The WMPC are (mostly vegetation), 15 percent is equipment and funding to implement stakeholders actively engaged in regional dialogues and coordinate a range of projects organic waste (mostly food) followed these plans and activities. to provide improved waste management for challenging waste streams by diapers, paper, plastic, glass, such as asbestos, mercury, and chemical waste. WAL is responsible for textiles, ferrous and nonferrous waste management service delivery—waste collection, landfill operations metals, and other materials waste. and management, waste awareness, public bin services, liquid waste management, and recycling, including removal of end-of-life vehicles and bulky waste. Town and District Officers are responsible for community level initiatives, such as public bins and waste awareness, and private sector and NGOs also play complementary roles in the Waste sector. Historical and The Third National Communication on Climate Change report (2019) states that current GHG the Waste sector represents about 0.3 percent of the country’s greenhouse emissions emissions. However, accurate data is lacking, as highlighted in the NDC. Current Over the last 20 years, there have been a number of important urban initiatives development and waste management projects that have been implemented with the help of donor funding , including from Australia, ADB, Japan and the United States. The current National GCF Pipeline as part of the Tonga Country Programming Process (Period: 2020 -2023) includes a US$10 million project. It focuses on delivering proper waste disposal facilities for all of Tonga and innovative waste to energy technology including recycling facilities and solutions for better managing waste emissions. A number of initiatives to develop regional waste management approaches for several Pacific Island countries are currently underway. The ‘Moana Taka’ partnership between China Navigation Company and SPREP, to which Tonga is eligible, enables Tonga to export recyclable materials for free (SPREP, 2018). The Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility, working with SPREP, intends to produce a feasibility study for a regional recycling network as part of efforts to improve solid waste management in the Pacific. Funded through JICA and administered by SPREP, the Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiatives on Solid Waste Management, Phase II (J-PRISM II) seeks to support technical capacity in Tonga and other Pacific Island countries.4 Image: Locally grown produce, presented at the annual Royal 4 Please refer to the NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan with Project Pipeline, Appendix B, Agricultural Show in Neiafu, Vava’u. Taken in 2019. for more information on current and planned projects 66 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 67 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS WASTE

3.5.2 Sector Pathways To improve the Waste sector in the most effective Sector Pathway Actions Over Time manner, the priority intervention is to develop a national The Waste sector vision is for: waste strategy. With in-depth stakeholder consultation, 1 3 5 7 the strategy will contain a list of costed actions with ‘A resilient, sustainable an implementation timeframe. Financing the national Establish strong Waste strategy and integrate the Secure financing for outer island waste processing Educate and train individuals on waste Increased use of local and recycled construction waste strategy to ensure effective implementation of key and educated Tonga. actions is also a priority. The final top priority is updating strategy into community PRINCIPLES handling and management materials development plans This is achieved through NP PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES the current inventory database, as working with reliable PRINCIPLES Autonomy, Culture & Education Autonomy, Culture, Core effective education and up to date data is essential. Core Values Values, Education, Environment & Inclusivity and sustainable waste Comprehensive education and awareness raising is critical to achieving long term gains in the Waste 2 4 6 8 management.’ sector, together with using traditional knowledge, More efficient data Developing/upgrading Unlearn old habits and Biogas generators to fuel and prioritising the use of local/recycled goods when collection and consistent waste management teach healthy coexisting villages; purchase best possible. GHG emissions reductions have not been update of the database facilities lifestyle to support short equipment and technology accurately assessed as the proposed actions are in early PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES and long term training and for Waste sector; create development. NP Autonomy & Culture public awareness on waste waste disposal bins at PRINCIPLES village level Education, Environment & PRINCIPLES Inclusivity Autonomy, Culture, Education, Environment & Inclusivity Finalise waste comms strategy & national EAP then roll out 6 WORKFORCE Planning, trial & implementation of data collection 2 TECHNICAL Improve waste management infrastructure Secure financing for outer island waste processing 3 FINANCING 4 WORKFORCE 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2 GHG emissions target for sector identified Waste Survey (2025 NDC) conducted (PRIF) Ongoing actions toward biogas generators to fuel villages 8 TECHNICAL & WORKFORCE Implement National Waste Strategy 1 POLICY Education & training for waste management 5 WORKFORCE Increased use of local & recycled construction materials 7 WORKFORCE Establishment of a biogas plant Image: Landfill at the Tapuhia Waste Management 8 WORKFORCE & TECHNICAL Facility in Vaini, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. Existing Second NDC Targets 68 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS Pathway WASTE WASTE description ACTION 3 ACTION 4 WASTE Establish strong waste strategy and integrate the Secure financing for Developing/upgrading ACTION 1 strategy into community development plans. outer island waste waste management GHG emissions reduction potential: Low-Medium, once actions are implemented. processing. facilities. Description: The strategy will act as a road map with links to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and Energy sectors, as well as manufacturing, commerce GHG emissions reduction potential: GHG emissions reduction potential: and tourism, towards sustainable and improved waste management in Medium, if it targets landfills and Low-Medium. Tonga. It will further flesh out actions proposed in LT-LEDS to enable sewage. Description: Progressively improve implementation. Through comprehensive public consultation, including with Description: Securing funding will waste management infrastructure in the private sector, the development of the strategy will enable testing of 3R enable implementation of actions the country, including the development options: replacement, reduction, and refinement, along with the development identified in the LT-LEDS and future of controlled landfills, transfer stations, of incentives, regulations (such as banning single use items, increasing fees actions that will be identified in transport equipment, and small or introducing a container deposit scheme) and processes for long term the national waste strategy. This recycling facilities to process wastes awareness raising and the need for infrastructure. Actions will be costed and is particularly important for outer such as organics, glass, plastics, fecal a timeline for implementation will be defined. islands such as Vava’u, Ha’apai sludge treatment plant,and bulky items Supporting asset and capacity measures: Public consultations, social media & ‘Eua as remoteness and low (whitegoods, cars). The scope of work outreach programs, training and workshops, community and council meetings. population make waste interventions will depend on the amount of funding expensive. Partnerships with tourism secured. Efficient waste processing Location: All of Tonga. operators will also be explored, where will be facilitated by improved Timeline: Start implementing the national waste strategy by 2025. appropriate, to support improved upstream management such as source Principles: These actions align with Core Values, in particular cooperating and waste management. Funding could segregation of various materials, which fulfillment of mutual obligations. be utilised for infrastructure such as can be organised through community Links to Second NDC: Indirect link to the target of expanding formal Waste landfills, public bins, transfer stations, waste management plans, partnerships collection. septic beds and sewage treatment with the private sector and improved ponds, as well as through long term inter-island collaboration. Capacity and Links to other mitigation sectors: Potentially all sectors. educational programs. Funding will be infrastructure to process recyclables sought from the GCF for adaptation and wastes that may be exported is projects such as climate proofing also needed, (e-waste, whitegoods, More efficient data collection and consistent update landfills. cars and batteries), particularly as WASTE of the database. Supporting asset and capacity Pacific regional recycling initiatives ACTION 2 measures: Need for landfill sites, progress. GHG emissions reduction potential: Low, as this is an indirect action. public bins, septic beds, transfer Supporting asset and capacity However, accurate data will enable other actions to be developed and stations and sewage treatment ponds measures: Need to establish proper implemented. together with capacity building (e.g. landfills rather than dumpsters, and Description: Reliable data is crucial to identify and improve weaknesses for home composting) including color-classify waste bags to facilitate within the waste system. Data collection will be strengthened by installing farmers, women’s groups and market collection. Capacity measures are infrastructure (such as weighbridges at landfills), improving staff capacity vendors. needed for the whole population (e.g. for conducting surveys), mapping out relevant stakeholders and by Location: Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. (government, private sector, general improving cross ministerial collaboration. In addition, data processing population). Timeline: 2021-2022 then on an as capacity will be enhanced by improving IT infrastructure (e.g. computers and needed basis to enable implementation Location: All of Tonga. servers) and training data scientists. of the strategy and when funding Timeline: All required infrastructure in Supporting asset and capacity measures: Maintenance of weighbridge at opportunities arise. place by 2040. the landfill; Improve and update computer technology at the landfill to record Principles: Not provided. Principles: Autonomy and Culture. data. Capacity building for government employees. Links to Second NDC: Expanding the Links to Second NDC: Expanding the Location: All of Tonga. formal Waste collection system. formal Waste collection system. Timeline: This action is split into 3 phases: planning, trial and implementation Links to other mitigation sectors: Links to other mitigation sectors: (2021-2025). Data gathering and collation may leverage the waste survey to None. Energy. be conducted by the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility in 2021-22. Principles: Not provided. Links to Second NDC: Collection of relevant data on waste amounts and waste composition, as a prerequisite to identify a GHG emissions target for the sector in the 2025 NDC. Links to other mitigation sectors: Potentially all sectors. 70 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 71 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS WASTE WASTE WASTE WASTE ACTION 5 ACTION 6 ACTION 7 ACTION 8 Educate and train Unlearn old habits and Increased use of local and Biogas generators to fuel individuals on teach healthy coexisting recycled construction materials. villages; purchase best waste handling and lifestyle to support short equipment and technology GHG emissions reduction potential: Low - management. and long term training Medium. for Waste sector; create waste and public awareness on Description: An increased use of low carbon disposal bins at village level. GHG emissions reduction potential: Low, as this is an indirect action. waste. local construction materials and traditional knowledge will be investigated in consultation GHG emissions reduction potential: Medium. However, it will enable other actions GHG emissions reduction potential: with stakeholders, including from the forestry, Description: Organic waste from household, to be developed and implemented. Low, as this is an indirect action. agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, tourism industry and agriculture can generate high Description: There is a need for and building industries. In addition, increased amounts of methane when treated or placed in However, it will enable other actions education and training in conjunction use of recycled materials, such as bricks, landfills. Waste such as pig manure, food waste, to be developed and implemented. with other actions such as providing concrete, timber and glass will be assessed for fecal sludge and wastewater can be processed recycling bins and a separate Description: Short and long term technical and financial viability. This will include awareness raising is key. A national to generate biogas. Biogas harvesting can collection system. With strong a review of the building code, developing also be set up at a community level or as a leadership from government, private education awareness plan (EAP) guidelines and collaborating with neighboring and waste communication strategy standalone industrial facility. Using compost sector and community/traditional countries on research and development. as a soil amendment returns valuable nutrients leaders, specific and targeted will be developed and implemented. Including environmental concepts Supporting asset and capacity measures: and carbon to land, while decreasing reliance training on waste segregation and on synthetic fertilisers which are polluting, into the education curriculum and Greater production of local plant materials classification will be provided to the unhealthy and expensive. While small scale training teachers will ensure long suitable as construction inputs (e.g. Bamboo, broader community. This will include options will continue to be encouraged in the term awareness among youth. It straw, other plants). Greater linkages to training on e-waste, bulky waste and short term, larger scale set ups will require will also support the creation of a recycling of waste. Workforce training on the handling toxic materials/medical feasibility studies to assess technical and qualified workforce in required fields, use of recycled/local material (e.g. TVET), waste. Technical assistance can also financial potential. Finally, an increase in use including through Technical and production of guidelines. be provided to government staff, of local food will reduce transport, packaging SMEs and businesses. Vocational Education and Training Location: All of Tonga. (TVET), such as environmentalists, and food spoiling while supporting the local Supporting asset and capacity Timeline: 2030. data scientists, engineers economy. measures: Equipment for households Principles: Autonomy, Culture, Core Values, and lawyers. For the broader Supporting asset and capacity measures: such as bins, and composting/biogas Education, Environment, Inclusivity. community, implementation of the Feasibility studies before installing equipment. Training resources, Links to Second NDC: Expanding the formal infrastructure. Will require machinery for communication strategy through materials (e.g. instructions on bins, Waste collection system. processing organic waste and better harvesting events, community and religious simple picture education signs) and Links to other mitigation sectors: Human local food production, training and capacity leaders, social media, radio and personnel to carry out training. Settlements, Transport. building on farming cultivation and livestock TV, will aim to change mindsets Location: All of Tonga, especially on environmental issues and 3R management. outer islands. principles over the long term. Location: All of Tonga: centralised on the main Timeline: Strategy in place by 2030. Supporting asset and capacity island, decentralised on smaller islands. Principles: Autonomy, Culture, measures: Need for radio and Timeline: Establishment of a biogas plant by Education. television programs, mass texts and 2030. Ongoing actions (2022-2040). Links to Second NDC: Indirect link. jingles and short videos. Principles: Autonomy, Culture, Education, Links to other mitigation sectors: Location: All of Tonga. Environment, Inclusivity. Potentially all sectors. Timeline: Finalisation of the strategy Links to Second NDC: Expanding the formal and EAP by 2023, then ongoing roll Waste collection system. out until 2040. Links to other mitigation sectors: AFOLU, Principles: Education, Environment, Energy, Transport. Inclusivity. Links to Second NDC: Indirect link. Links to other mitigation sectors: Potentially all sectors. 72 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 73 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.5.3 Socio-economic and environmental considerations Skills and The need for skills and for capacity building is addressed in Action 5 ‘educate capacity and train individuals’. Modifying the curriculum, including TVET, and training building needed teachers will encourage an increase in the skilled workforce for the long term. In the short term, targeted capacity building aimed at government officials and businesses can be impactful. Businesses can be made aware of their environmental obligations, while waste management businesses can receive technical assistance to operate equipment and in operation and maintenance of a landfill or transfer station. With continued donor support, SPREP can continue to build capacity for solid waste management as it is already doing through the J-PRISM II project. Train-the-trainer programs can be aimed at government officials; this will ensure they are better prepared to conduct environmental awareness activities among the general population and with businesses, for example on the need for source separation of waste. These officials can also be trained in obtaining and analysing data. Existing Tonga policies include JNAP2 - education for resilience target 16. Cross-sectoral Lack of environmental awareness at both community and business levels is considerations generally not limited to waste management. Awareness is also lacking in areas including energy efficiency, water conservation, climate change, forestry and land use. The development and implementation of a communication strategy, as outlined in Action 6, should therefore also encompass other sectors. Similarly, developing a data management system should encompass other sectors, as the lack of quality data is not specific to waste. Finally, Action 8, which targets organic waste, including growing locally and composting, has strong links with food security and the AFOLU sector. Gender and Action 3 proposes directly funding communities, especially on outer islands, social inclusion while Action 7 and Action 8 have the strongest links to social inclusion, considerations aligning with the TSDF II which states that ‘Traditional societies produced limited waste and pollution, most of which was biodegradable. Modern trade and consumption generates vast amounts of waste that can easily lead to the pollution of our sensitive environment’. Action 7 and Action 8 propose increasing the use of local materials and crops: the process would benefit from close consultation with local communities for their traditional knowledge and may eventually create opportunities for them. The gender component should be carefully assessed, especially during the development of the waste management strategy and the EAP, to ensure women are appropriately represented during development and implementation of these plans. Environmental Environmental and social standards should be carefully considered when and social establishing new waste management infrastructure, especially if it reaches safeguards the industrial scale such as landfills, anaerobic digesters, composting and considerations crushing facilities. Emissions such as dust, odors, noise and contaminants must be carefully assessed and minimised with regard to local residents and the environment. Key data gaps Several assessments that have been conducted for the Waste sector in Tonga and solutions state that the level of data and information available to adequately assess the Waste sector is currently missing. This includes waste volumes, waste characterisation, and how waste is managed both at the landfill stage and outside of it. Without data, it is challenging to estimate greenhouse gases from waste on all of the islands, and to then determine actions required to address these emissions. Data is also crucial to assessing the financial viability of infrastructure. The Second NDC highlights this point and has mentioned prioritising data collection in the Waste sector for Tonga in the next five years. Image: Women’s handicraft displays at the annual Royal Agricultural Show in Neiafu, Vava’u. Taken in 2019. 74 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.6 Human Settlements Relevant national The Tonga JNAP1 and JNAP2 consistently discuss these risks and the prioritisation of securing the safety of coastal communities. The focus on policies, enhancing resilience is further emphasised in the National Infrastructure sectoral policies Investment Plan, though the plan does not explicitly prioritise coastal

3.6.1 Context and links with infrastructure or the built environment. The Second NDC submitted by Tonga the LT-LEDS emphasises the need for coastal management and flood management to Introduction address sea level rise. The World Bank supported the establishment of the Road Tonga consists of 170 islands, with less than 45 of these Maintenance Fund in 2013, though there is a need to supplement the scope of islands inhabited. Most Tongan islands are low-lying, the fund to ensure adequate coverage of road networks across the islands. making communities extremely vulnerable to flooding The Third National Communication (to UNFCCC) also describes the due to rising sea levels and storm surges. These effects importance of timely maintenance and rehabilitation of road infrastructure to are becoming more frequent as the climate warms. ensure all-weather access and as a means of job creation in Tonga. Climate- Coastal flooding damages buildings and endangers resilient buildings and infrastructure are also prioritised in the NDC as a human lives. Furthermore, droughts and increased key adaptation measure to climate change impacts. The Building Control freshwater extraction endanger community groundwater and Standards Act is in the process of integrating updated specifications supplies from saltwater intrusion. Urban areas in Tonga to account for increasingly intense weather events and wind loads. After often experience flooding due to the lack of stormwater the 2020 cyclone season caused significant building damage, building management infrastructure. Hence there is strong audits have commenced to assess the suitability of safe assembly points for reasoning for the integration of stormwater drainage with evacuation in preparation for the next cyclone season. the road network in urban areas, to prevent or reduce flooding. Responsible The Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) oversees the maintenance, design and The inclusion of Human Settlements as a sector in the Ministries planning of road networks across the islands. MOI is also responsible for LT-LEDS planning is to enhance the complementarity and sector building standards and regulations, leading the process for updating the of plans with other sectors rather than the potential for stakeholders Building Code and developing capacity to fully implement it. The National greenhouse gas emission reduction. Emergency Management Office (NEMO) coordinates planning for disaster- response, including assessing evacuation routes and safe assembly points. Historical and Buildings and infrastructure are not a major source of greenhouse gas current GHG emissions in Tonga. They are, however, identified as a critical part of adapting emissions to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and increasingly powerful winds and storms. Additionally, efforts are being made to reduce energy consumption in buildings through improving energy efficiency of appliances and building envelopes. The inclusion of the Human Settlements sub-chapter in LT-LEDS reiterates Tonga’s commitment to a comprehensive low emission development trajectory. Current The Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility is supporting the Government of initiatives Tonga to develop the Tonga National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2020- 2030 (NIIP-3). The NIIP-3 will support improved screening and prioritising infrastructure projects for resource allocation for projects. In 2018, the World Bank approved a US$26 million grant to improve climate resilience of Tonga’s land, sea and air transport infrastructure. This includes the integration of storm drains and road upgrades on major islands. Municipal infrastructure in Nuku’alofa has been upgraded through the recently completed US$14.6 million Nuku’alofa Urban Development Sector Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Australian Government. For coastal protection, the ADB is financing the US$19.25 million Tonga Climate Resilience Sector Project which includes the installation of 8km of soft and hard coastal infrastructure to protect against storm surges. In addition, the Integrated Urban Resilience Sector Project, jointly funded by the ADB and the Australian Government, addresses institutional and infrastructure gaps for flood prevention on Nuku’alofa. A coalition led by the United Nations Development Program, including the Tongan Government, SPREP, New Zealand MFAT and research institutions, is developing a US$40 million proposal to the GCF. This would cover construction of Image: Flooding of a local residence at Fasi, Tongatapu after TC Gita. Taken in 2018. coastal protection in Tongatapu, Vava’u and Ha’apai and enhancing disaster monitoring capabilities. 76 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 77 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Sector Pathway Actions Over Time 3.6.2 Sector Pathways 1 4 7 The Human Settlements vision is: In the Human Settlements group, the inclusion of all parts of the Tongan population in the development of Inclusive development through life skills program Water security in all islands as a DRR measure Increase finance, resource and capacity building for education to ‘Building a resilient the nation was identified as a top priority. This requires PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES build a knowledge based society and autonomous Tonga concerted efforts to map all vulnerable groups and means to engage them in capacity development to through transformation Traditional Knowledge, Education, Inclusivity, Environment, Education, Culture PRINCIPLES Environment & Culture & Autonomy Education improve livelihoods and early warnings in the event of and strengthening of all disasters. The emphasis on inclusive development is 2 5 8 reflected in almost all prioritised actions in this pathway. sectors.’ Implement disaster risk financing Improve the climate resilience of Increase access to financing for strategy to manage funds housing and buildings, retrofitting to storm water management and road during disaster response so that withstand high winds and damaging design by the MOI communities can access climate cyclones PRINCIPLES resilient infrastructure PRINCIPLES Autonomy PRINCIPLES Environment, Inclusivity, Traditional Education, Environment, Inclusivity, Culture Knowledge, Culture, Autonomy, Education & Traditional Knowledge & Core Values 3 6 9 Engage with donors and partners Sustainable tourism in Tonga Strengthen and refine current policy to source funds for infrastructure PRINCIPLES on coastal protection in order to management and design, particularly Education & Environment strengthen Marine Protected Areas on stormwater management and PRINCIPLES road design Environment PRINCIPLES Core Values, Education, Environment & Inclusivity Trainings for care of coastal areas 9 POLICY & WORKFORCE Infrastructure upgrades for sustainable tourism Pathway 6 WORKFORCE description Inclusive development through life skills program. Road Committee established & Road Maintenance Fund operational HUMAN 3 FINANCING SETTLEMENTS Implement financing strategy for communities to access climate resilient infrastructure 2 FINANCING ACTION 1 GHG emissions reduction potential: This action does not have direct GHG reduction potential. There may be indirect contributions to GHG emission UNDERWAY SHORT TERM MEDIUM TERM LONG TERM reductions. Description: Engage all facets of society in the sustainable development of Tonga. This requires extensive consultations to identify all groups with Trainings for personnel in sustainable tourism sector different vulnerabilities and needs. Training programs need to be tailored 6 WORKFORCE for groups with consideration given to distinct constraints and capacities. Undertake research for vulnerable shorelines These groups include women, youth, elderly, persons with disability 9 POLICY and communities living in remote islands. Skills training and networking Road designs adjusted to include stormwater drain opportunities enhance the security of livelihoods for the people of Tonga. This action further requires policies and resources to support improved 3 8 FINANCING access to markets for the sale and exchange of products. Enhance water security in all islands Supporting asset and capacity measures: Training materials and equipment 4 POLICY e.g. home gardening equipment. Improve climate resilience of housing & buildings Location: Urban areas, unused land. 5 POLICY & FINANCING Timeline: This action will commence in the short term, after community Inclusive development through life skills program outreach officers are trained and training materials developed. It is 1 WORKFORCE anticipated that actions in this area will be required up to the long term. Increase finance, resource & capacity building for a knowledge-based society Principles: This action is highly aligned to Inclusivity and aligned with 7 WORKFORCE & FINANCING Traditional Knowledge, Education, Environment and Culture. Links to Second NDC: None. Links to other mitigation sectors: AFOLU – Gardening and agricultural products are the primary source of economic output at the household level. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 79 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS ACTION 2 ACTION 3 ACTION 4 ACTION 5 Implement a disaster Engage with donors Water security in all Improve the climate risk financing strategy and partners to source islands as a disaster risk resilience of housing and to manage funds during funds for infrastructure reduction measure. buildings, retrofitting to disaster response so management and withstand high winds and GHG emissions reduction potential: that communities can design, particularly on This action does not contribute to damaging cyclones. access climate resilient stormwater management GHG reduction. infrastructure. and road design. Description: Enhance water security GHG emissions reduction potential: in all inhabited islands of Tonga. This This action does not contribute to would require the development of an GHG reduction but could contribute GHG emissions reduction potential: GHG emissions reduction potential: integrated water management plan to protection of low emission This action does not contribute This action does not contribute to with specific considerations around infrastructure assets. directly to GHG reduction. GHG reduction but could contribute to protection of low emission the availability of groundwater in Description: Improve resilience of Description: Ensure access to climate each island. Sensitisation to water infrastructure assets. housing and buildings to increasingly resilient community infrastructure containment and treatment methods intense winds and storms through during emergencies. Complementing Description: Integrate stormwater needs to be conducted for all retrofits. An enhanced building the priorities in JNAP2, access to drainage infrastructure into urban communities, with a focus on remote code has been validated with climate resilient assembly points road network and implement islands. Groundwater measurement, industry and needs to be adopted needs to be connected with Village maintenance regime to enhance as recognised in previous surveys, is as policy. Systematic capacity Emergency Management Plans. longevity of infrastructure. The an important feature for improving building for public and private Facility and access upgrades need action requires the systematic water management and security. sector stakeholders will be needed to be undertaken, as informed by integration of stormwater planning in Supporting asset and capacity on adoption of the updated code. the NEMO audit. The Shelter Cluster, the design and construction of roads measures: Rainwater catchment Materials standardisation and consisting of all stakeholders in and pavements in urban areas. This tanks, community reservoirs, certification is needed for code disaster response, can contribute by complements the Road Maintenance emergency water purification kits, implementation. Financing will sharing communication networks Fund established in 2013. Technical solar desalination plants, awareness also be needed to support existing to disseminate timely information support to enhance the work of the raising on communal water buildings through necessary retrofits during emergencies. National Spatial Planning Agency management. to withstand anticipated loading. Supporting asset and capacity Office (NSPAO) and the Road Committee will be needed. Location: Tongatapu, outer islands. Supporting asset and capacity measures: Improve remote sensing measures: Suitable materials capabilities, communications and Supporting asset and capacity Timeline: This action will be and capacity development for evacuation networks. measures: Install and maintain implemented in the short to medium compliance to an upgraded Building Location: All islands. stormwater management term. Code. Production capacity to infrastructure. Principles: This action is very aligned Timeline: Implementation of this produce suitable wood-based action is already underway, with Location: Urban areas. with Inclusivity. It also aligns with materials locally. NEMO auditing suitable evacuation Timeline: Road Committee has been Environment, Education, Culture and Location: Throughout the Kingdom. centres in preparation for the next established and Road Maintenance Autonomy. Timeline: Activities in the action will cyclone season. Fund is operational. Over the short Links to Second NDC: None. be implemented over the short and Principles: This action is highly to medium term, road designs to Links to other mitigation sectors: medium term. aligned to Education, Environment, be adjusted to include stormwater Energy - where it may be needed to drains. Principles: This action is well aligned Inclusivity and Culture and aligned power water supply and treatment with all the Tongan principles. with Traditional Knowledge. Principles: This action is aligned to systems. Core Values, Education, Environment Links to Second NDC: None. Links to Second NDC: None. and Inclusivity. Links to other mitigation sectors: Links to other mitigation sectors: All Links to Second NDC: None. Energy – The updated Building sectors. Code pending adoption improves Links to other mitigation sectors: the energy efficiency of building Transport – The reduction of flooding envelopes and appliances, while enhances land-based transportation. enhancing structural adequacy. 80 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 81 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS ACTION 6 ACTION 7 ACTION 8 ACTION 9 Sustainable tourism in Tonga. Increase finance, resource and Increase access to financing for Strengthen and refine current capacity building for education storm water management and policy on coastal protection GHG reduction potential: Low to Medium. to build a knowledge based road design by the MOI. in order to strengthen Marine Description: In anticipation of post-pandemic economic recovery, Tonga aims to promote society. Protected Areas. GHG Reduction Potential: This action does sustainable tourism as a form of income not have direct GHG reduction potential. There GHG Reduction Potential: Low to Medium. generation. This includes putting in place GHG Reduction Potential: This action does may be indirect contributions to GHG emission tourist taxes which can then be channeled not have direct GHG reduction potential. There Description: In line with climate change policy reductions. toward low emissions development and climate may be indirect contributions to GHG emission calling for coastal protection, this action change adaptation measures in the tourism reductions. Description: While the Road Maintenance Fund prioritises the use of nature-based solutions for industry as well as promoting nature-based is operational and major defects and damages protection against storm surges and erosion. Description: With disruptions to face to face to road infrastructure are being repaired and infrastructure solutions. Training programs This entails leveraging traditional knowledge gatherings increasingly possible (from global rectified, there is a need for more systematic will be organised to improve hospitality skills in plant selection for restoration of mangroves pandemics to natural disasters), Tonga is monitoring and maintenance of transportation among the workforce while mainstreaming and replanting of foreshores. Restoration exploring mechanisms to ensure the continuity assets in Tongatapu and beyond. Training for knowledge on sustainable tourism. Upgrades of mangroves, replanting and general of quality education throughout any events. staff and the public to monitor and report to telecommunications and transport strengthening of the coastal ecosystem will This will require significant financial resources defects for timely repairs as well as resourcing infrastructure and vehicles/vessels while also have positive GHG emission sequestration to set up adequate communication channels in local teams to carry out regular maintenance integrating renewable energy and energy outcomes although these cannot be quantified the outer islands and to ensure students have works can extend the lifespan of road efficiency, will benefit both tourists and the at the present time. Where vegetation is access to required equipment and materials infrastructure at lower cost. local population as it reduces the carbon inadequate for blocking storm surges and when schools are not operating. This action footprint of the tourism sector. Supporting asset and capacity measures: sea level rise, revetments and seawalls may also calls for a review of the curriculum, to Supporting asset and capacity measures: increase environmental awareness and disaster Costed maintenance plan for all public be needed to protect communities from the Telecommunications and tourism infrastructure preparedness through education. Consideration infrastructure. surrounding ocean incursions. Assessments including nature-based solutions, renewable should be given to student loans to support Location: Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u, and feasibility studies need to be conducted in and energy efficiency technologies, fuel vocational and tertiary education in particular. Niuas. each case to determine the most appropriate efficient/low emissions vehicles and vessels, Teachers will have to undergo training to equip Timeline: None. modality for coastal protection. monitoring systems, early warning systems. them with the skills to conduct lessons through Supporting asset and capacity measures: Principles: Autonomy. Location: Remote islands. new mediums. This action links with the Tonga Coastal replanting and seawall construction. Links to Second NDC: None. Timeline: Training programs for personnel in Accelerate Resilience Program and links Location: Fanga’uta Lagoon Coastal Areas and students with employment after completion of Links to other mitigation sectors: Transport the tourism sector are planned for the short Tongatapu. their studies. – Road infrastructure on larger islands will be term while infrastructure upgrades will follow in Timeline: In the short term, research needs regularly maintained. the medium term. Supporting asset and capacity measures: to be undertaken to determine the required Principles: This action is well aligned with Upgraded school buildings and facilities, more intervention for each of the vulnerable Education and Environment. training for teachers. shorelines, especially those closer to more Links to Second NDC: None. Location: Throughout the country. populated areas. Over the medium to longer Timeline: This action requires implementation term, training for local communities, students Links to other mitigation sectors: Transport – from short to medium and long term. The and public officials for the protection and care land, sea and air transportation infrastructure initial focus is on low-income households, with of coastal areas will be conducted. within and between islands will be upgraded. support expanded to all teachers and students Principles: Environment. over time. Links to Second NDC: Planting one million Principles: This action is well aligned with trees by 2023 and prevention of any Education. permanent loss of land to rising sea levels on Links to Second NDC: None. Tonga’s four main islands. Links to other mitigation sectors: All sectors. Links to other mitigation sectors: AFOLU – Coastal mangroves contribute to carbon sequestration while protecting the coast from erosion. 82 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 83 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS

3.6.3 Socio-economic and environmental considerations Skills and Training and capacity building have been identified as a first step in almost all capacity the actions for Human Settlements. There is a shortage of technical expertise building needed locally to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure systems and technologies that have been imported. External skills can be brought in periodically from within the region to upskill technical professionals in Tonga. At the same time, traditional knowledge in agriculture, water management and coastal protection can be mobilised to ensure solutions pursued are sustainable and locally appropriate. Cross-sectoral The Human Settlements pathway is an enabling pathway, not limited to a considerations specific sector. However, it brings together diverse aspects where concerted effort is required to ensure the wellbeing and livelihoods of Tongans in the wake of climate change impacts and economic development. The actions identified in this pathway intersect with Energy, Transport and AFOLU, and cross-sectoral collaboration can deliver optimal outcomes and mobilise external support, both in the form of technical assistance and financial support. Gender and Actions in this pathway have a strong focus on enhancing resilience, social inclusion particularly to climate-induced impacts. These affect different groups in considerations the population differently and substantial discussion has revolved around identifying the various forms of vulnerability that must be included in national and local planning. Gender, youth, disability, poverty, and remote locations are some of the factors that will require particular attention in the allocation of resources and planning for the actions listed in this pathway. Planning with vulnerability and social inclusion at the forefront of considerations will lead to more equitable outcomes to the actions taken to enhance the resilience of the country. Environmental Measures to enhance resilience to disasters require stakeholders to be able and social to firstly, receive the information and then, to take action on warnings or safeguards information. Training and capacity building programs must not exacerbate considerations social inequalities. Infrastructure upgrades and construction projects should be informed by comprehensive environmental impact assessments, to understand whether such projects would have wider impacts on local flora and fauna. Key data gaps Audit of community facilities has commenced in preparation for evacuation and solutions and assembly during disasters. Systematic building audits to determine which and to what extent each building needs to be retrofitted to withstand cyclones is the next urgent task, to guide resource mobilisation and distribution. A market study can be commissioned to determine the building materials available in Tonga, and how they meet requirements in the Building Code. It is essential the same level of attention is paid to buildings in less populated islands, to consistently ensure safe spaces for shelter during disasters. Similarly for road infrastructure, a nationwide audit of the road network, condition of roads and stormwater drains will provide the first step towards developing a systematic road network maintenance and development framework. Traffic studies should be commissioned in urban areas to determine the adequacy of the network to traffic volumes and inform network expansion. Image (opposite page): Niutao Project seawall construction in progress from Navutoka to Talafo’ou, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. 84 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 3 KEY LONG-TERM CLIMATE ACTIONS 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS LT-LEDS First Steps Through the LT-LEDS development, Tongan stakeholders contributed and shaped the vision for: A low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create resilience, autonomy and self-reliance. Through this process, stakeholders developed, revised and assessed possible near term steps that will advance Tonga towards this vision. They identified nine first steps as priorities, to implement the LT-LEDS. In no particular order these are: • Loan program for low energy buildings • Standardising lighting power consumption for buildings by 2025 • Low emission vehicles: government to pilot electric vehicles • Develop a waste communication strategy • Strengthen existing transport policies • Mainstreaming important low emission policy elements into relevant ministries These priority • Promote Best Practices in agriculture, forestry and fisheries steps are described • Develop and implement a national waste policy for Tonga further in this • Pedestrianising Nuku’alofa by 2022 chapter. Image: A view of surrounding islands from Mt. Talau, Vava’u. Taken in 2020. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 87 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS Loan program LT-LEDS stakeholders prioritised a loan program for businesses to improve their building’s energy efficiency, The standardisation of lighting power consumption should be the responsibility of Tonga Power Limited, MOI, for low energy replicating similar government programs provided in the agricultural sector. This step intersects with other the Tonga Electricity Commission and MEIDECC, and mainly the Department of Energy. State partners include buildings intervention actions from the Energy, AFOLU and Human Settlements sectors with energy efficiency; low emissions, the MLNR, while non-state partners include contractors, building electrical contractors, architects and engineers. low cost, and retrofitting of houses and other structures This step should commence in 2022, with internal to withstand high winds and damaging cyclones. stakeholder consultations between MOI, Tonga Power The development of this loan program should be Limited, Department of Energy and the Electricity undertaken by government and businesses, with support Commission. This should be followed by public from village and community scale actors. It should be consultations on the draft policy over the next two to two led by the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), Ministry of and a half years, aiming for cabinet approval in 2024, and Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), DCC, Department implementation in 2025. of Environment, Department of Energy (DOE) and Tonga This step aligns with the Tongan principles of Power Limited (TPL). Other key stakeholders include Environment, Education, Inclusivity and Autonomy. the construction sector, donors and NGOs, producers This step will help reduce the cost of living by reducing and makers like hardware stores such as EM Jones and electricity bills. Through the installation of energy electrical companies such as JH Electrical. efficient lighting, it will bring Affordable and clean Users of energy efficient buildings include the general energy (SDG7), Decent work and economic growth public, schools and government, essential buildings and (SDG8), Industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), businesses such as resorts. This step should incorporate Sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), Responsible the development lead designs for the most energy efficient consumption and production (SDG12), and Climate action buildings suitable for Tonga and follow with energy (SDG13). The step affects the National Building Code, performance audits and the management of change. which is currently being reviewed, along with energy policies and the TSDF II. This step should be implemented in percentages of building stock that are energy efficient. Stakeholders suggested these percentages would be achieved by 30 percent of buildings being energy efficient by 2030, 60 percent by 2040 and 100 percent by 2050. Low emission Piloting of electric vehicles (EVs) in the government fleet is a priority to support implementation of the LT-LEDS. This step aligns with the Tongan principles of Environment, Education, Inclusivity and Autonomy. It vehicles: It intersects with other intervention actions to manage energy demand, low emissions, low cost and road design. would bring positive social, technical and environmental impacts, contributing to Tonga’s achievement of good government to This pilot will be led by the GOT, MOI, and in particular, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and health and wellbeing (SDG3), quality education and training for building retrofits (SDG4), gender equality pilot electric Energy. Other partners would include TPL, engineering firms, car dealers and electrical contractors. In terms (SDG5), affordable and clean energy (SDG7), decent work through retrofitting (SDG8), new industry, vehicles of producers and makers, EVs could be supplied from Japan, Korea, China and the US. This step will start innovation and infrastructure sectors within the Tongan with a proposal to be developed by 2022 for funding economy (SDG9), sustainable cities and communities consideration, with the aim that, by 2027, 100 percent of (SDG11), responsible consumption and productivity the government fleet are EVs. (SDG12), climate action (SDG13), life on land (SDG15) and partnerships (SDG17). This step aligns with existing This step aligns with the Tongan principles of policies of TSDF II, TCCP, NIIP2, and TERM+. environment, education, and inclusivity. It is expected to have a social and technical impact, contributing to Tonga’s SDG fulfillment, particularly on in training and quality education (SDG4), affordable and clean energy Standardising The LT-LEDS prioritised the standardisation of lighting power consumption for buildings in Tonga by 2025. (SDG7), support to energy efficient transport and therefore industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), lighting power It is likely this step could affect how buildings will be designed in Tonga as we move towards more energy sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), climate action (SDG13), life on land (SDG15) and partnerships consumption for efficient designs for buildings, both in private and commercial sectors. It may also lead to behavioural (SDG17). The existing policies include: TSDF II, TCCP, JNAP2, Second NDC, ministries corporate plans, buildings by 2025 impacts in the way people consume energy, in terms of both power and lighting. This would bring social, procurement plan and TERM-PLUS. technical and financial benefits as the community saves more on their electricity bills. 88 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 89 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS Develop a waste The LT-LEDS also prioritises the development of a waste communication strategy and implementation of a It is hoped that strengthened policy will prompt importers and suppliers to import and supply vehicles, communication national education awareness plan by 2025. It is expected to draw on complementary intervention actions to airplanes or boats that follow the standards and the policy. As users are public consumers, monitoring and strategy develop a communication strategy around waste, waste segregation, waste handling and management; threading assessment of this step would occur through conducting surveys and audits with the public, to test policy these together with capacity building and education. effectiveness. The timeline for implementation is for the stocktake, gap analysis and alignment of policies to be This strategy will be developed by the government, complete by 2023. By 2025, the responsible entity will, if in particular the Department of Environment within required, then create integrated laws or frameworks for MEIDECC, and the Waste Authority Limited. Other land, air and sea transport, with parliamentary approval state partners will be engaged, including the Ministry by 2028. Implementation can commence from 2031 of Education, Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Police, onwards and will be reviewed in 2035 to measure the the Ministry of Finance (MOF), TSD, Ministry of Internal degree of implementation and impact. Affairs (MIA) and also the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The step will also utilise non-state partners This step aligns with Tongan principles of Culture, for information dissemination such as the Tonga Environment and Inclusivity. Tonga has a culture of social Broadcasting Commission, radio and TV communities and church functions which are important and should and the churches. be considered when designing transport policies i.e. the priority of church functions when arranging inter-island For implementation, 2021-2022 will be used for planning, transport. The most relevant SDGs this will contribute followed by the development of a EAP, establishment of a to are Affordable and clean energy (SDG7) and Climate waste committee and identification of stakeholders over action (SDG13). The step aligns with Tonga’s Second NDC 2022-23. Final review and securing funding is planned for target for low transport emissions. The TSDF II, which 2023 with implementation commencing in 2024 and a covers all governmental sectors and sector plans, and review and lessons learnt process one year after. corporate plans, will be related to the transport policy This is aligned with the Tongan principles of Environment, created through this step. Education, Inclusivity, Culture and Autonomy. This step will require support from technical, policy, workforce and financing avenues. For behaviour, the step aims to change mindsets and produce positive social changes through involvement from the public. The step will Mainstreaming LT-LEDS stakeholders recognised the need to mainstream the following intervention actions into contribute to the following SDGs: Quality education (SDG4), Responsible consumption and production important the relevant ministries: energy efficiency, renewable energy and low emissions vehicles. This step is linked to (SDG12), Climate action (SDG13), Life below water (SDG14) and Life on land (SDG15). This step maps low emission the Alamea policy (see cross-cultural considerations), with priority given to identification of gaps in policy, Tonga’s TSDF II, Climate Change Policy and JNAP2. policy elements duplication of policy, lack of enforcement and the need to connect policies across sectors where relevant. into relevant This mainstreaming should be owned by the DOE, TPL and the broader government, with support from donors Strengthen The LT-LEDS stakeholders prioritised the need for an inclusive and holistic policy that strengthens land, air ministries like GCF, ADB and New Zealand’s MFAT. The time- frame to implement the step is by 2025, in accordance existing transport and sea transport, to support sustainability and lower emissions. This will entail a stocktake of existing policies, with targets already published in the TEEMP, JNAP2, the Second NDC - in 2030 to achieve 70 percent of RE policies followed by a gap analysis on existing policies and their implementation. The next step will be seeking to align and 100 percent in 2035 and moving forward for 2050 emission from Tonga will be 0 percent. policies across sectors, to address the gaps. Policies will align with multiple other sector intervention actions. This step aligns to Tongan principles of education, Under Waste, regulations for waste and disposal of environment and inclusivity. It will contribute to the transport technology need to be considered, along with following SDGs: Good Health and Well-being (SDG3), urban infrastructure and design of bridges and roads. For Quality Education (SDG4), Gender Equality (SDG5), Energy, this step will support low GHG emissions. There Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7), Industry, Innovation are also links with the transport of AFOLU products and Infrastructure (SDG9), Sustainable Cities and and transport actions relating to tariffs, taxes, electric Communities (SDG11), Responsible Consumption and vehicles, maintenance overhaul and services. Production (SDG12) and Climate Action (SDG13). This holistic policy will be owned by the MOI who will work with other state ministries creating related transport policies, industry, also other state partners like public enterprises or other bodies such as Tonga Airports Ltd. Non-state partners are donors (ADB, Australia, MFAT) who could help fund the strengthening of existing transport policies and provide support through technical assistance. 90 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 91 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS Promote Best LT-LEDS will prioritise the promotion of climate smart agriculture, agroforestry systems and traditional fishing schools. Producers and makers include MORC, who are responsible for borders, and importing of waste Practices in practices. An example is increasing awareness of subsistence farmers to understand the importance of the like plastic. Implementation will occur over the next ten years, with 2021-2022 as a planning phase. This will Agriculture, agroforestry system and how the achievement of low emissions can include practices like mixed cropping. For be followed by data collection, reviewing reports and analysing data in 2023-2024. Based on this timeline, the Forestry and farmers this might involve a return to traditional fishing using the lunar calendar. National Waste Policy will be developed in 2025 followed by implementation, review in 2027 and incorporation of Fisheries These best practices will be promoted by the agriculture lessons learned in 2030. sector, fisheries sectors and the forestry sector. The state This step is aligned with Tongan principles of partners are MAFF, MOF, Ministry of Fisheries and all Environment, Inclusivity, Education, Culture and other line ministries, such as MEIDECC. Efforts will be Autonomy. It will also contribute to Good health and made to use existing mechanisms, such as the Ministry wellbeing (SDG 3), Sustainable cities and communities of Agriculture’s annual production survey and monitoring (SDG 11), Responsible consumption and production (SDG of SMAs and MPAs. The non-state partners are donors, 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life below water (SDG agencies, local NGOs such as Live & Learn, MORDI Tonga 14), and Life on land (SDG 15). This step will contribute Trust etc and private sectors. This step will also target to Tonga’s Second NDC, existing Waste and Litter producers or makers, the farmers and the fisherfolk. regulations, JNAP2. Implementation will start with planning and fundraising activities, with the aim that by 2028 capacity building and community awareness raising will be underway, along with the establishment of implementation areas. This step has a 50 percent implementation target by Pedestrianising In order to support LT-LEDS implementation, stakeholders prioritised the pedestrianisation of 2035, 75 percent by 2042 and 100 percent by 2050. Nuku’alofa by Nuku’alofa urban area by 2022, aligning with intervention actions in the Human Settlements sector pathway, This step aligns with the Tongan principles of environment, education, inclusivity and culture. It will 2022 transport actions such as road maintenance and energy, through street lighting. contribute to Tonga’s development through No poverty (SDG1), Zero hunger (SDG2), Good health and well- This pedestrianisation will be led by the NSPAO as being (SDG3), Gender equality (SDG5), Decent work and a division under MLNR, MOI, the Ministry of Police, economic growth (SDG8), Climate action (SDG13), Life and Ministry of Health. Other partners include NGOs, on the water (SDG14) and Life on land (SDG15). The step MOT, communities, churches, urban businesses and maps to existing Tongan policies, including the Second public enterprises. This step will be implemented over NDC (Forestry Target = 1 millions trees by 2023) and the 2022, starting with a draft policy, consultation with TASP, TFSP, and National Forest Policy. urban communities, then cabinet approval followed by implementation and enforcement. This step aligns with all six Tongan principles: Environment, Education, Inclusivity, Autonomy, Culture, Develop and The LT-LEDS will be supported by the development and implementation of a national waste policy for Tonga by Core Values, and will contribute to nearly all SDGs. This step maps to Tonga’s Public Health Act, Non implement a 2025. In doing so this step will draw upon intervention actions of a feasibility study, identifying stakeholders Communicable Disease strategy, TSDF II, Nuku’alofa Greater Urban Structure Plan and the NIIP II. National Waste and gaps, national awareness, developing a national waste strategy and collecting waste data. A feasibility Policy for Tonga study will identify gaps and the current situation, in order to identify entry points that can be strengthened. These will provide the foundations of the National Waste Policy. National awareness aims to increase participation, inclusivity, ownership and buy-in from the public, for more effective implementation and support. The collection of accurate waste data will support the preparation, operation and future planning of the National Waste Strategy, allowing for further information for revision and tracking of progress. Ownership over this policy will be with the DOE and Waste Authority Limited, working with other state partners in the PMO (to develop the policy), Ministry of Health (for data), TSD (for data), MLNR, and Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) (awareness raising). Non-state partners include church leaders, private businesses and 92 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 93 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS Cross-Sectoral Measures Deeply rooted policy change Good quality data and community education are needed to understand policy changes brought about by the LT-LEDs. This could be achieved In addition to sectoral interventions outlined in Chapter 3, successful through the establishment of a data policy to enable the collection of reduction in GHG emissions requires the consideration of cross-sectoral good quality data which can then inform better decision making. Further measures to drive comprehensive climate action across multiple sectors. conducting awareness raising initiatives that use community-friendly Tongan stakeholders identified five cross-sectoral considerations essential language will support the implementation of any new policies resulting from to support the implementation of interventions mentioned under Chapter 3. the LT-LEDS. Data collection and community awareness will benefit all sector These cross-sectoral considerations are underpinned by the need for: intervention actions. • Capacity building through education, particularly in relation to any In terms of emissions reduction estimates and calculations, the Global changes being made or new policies being implemented. Warming Potentials (GWP) used to calculate the GHG inventory results • Cross-sectoral coordination are not clear at present. This needs to be clearly reflected to improve • Funding directly to communities via education transparency. For future reviews of the NDC, national communications and the LT-LEDS, a clear statement on the methodology, values, formulas and • Effective data collection and management any default values used will improve transparency, reporting and planning for • Identifying policy gaps and duplications emissions reductions. There is a clear desire to work cross-sectorally to eliminate duplications, share data and resolve any policy overlaps. This includes identifying where policies can be formed cross-sectorally. Alamea Policy: strengthening existing LT-LEDS stakeholders grouped these into five areas: policies Priority should be given to identification of gaps in policy, duplication of policy, lack of enforcement and the need to connect policies across sectors, New-Niu Winds of change: education where relevant. Current examples include duplication in urban planning processes, transport policy linked to energy policy (via the TERMPLUS) and and training the mainstreaming of policies into corporate, sector and annual plans. Low New interventions and actions should consider the education and training enforcement can be the result of limited human resources and equipment. In of people accordingly. For new policy standards and legislation, training and the development of the LT-LEDS it is important to avoid re-phrasing existing consultation - which may include induction and orientation programs - should policies and all sector intervention actions will consider existing policies that be included to build public awareness. A common requirement is the need for can be built on. new equipment, with standard operating procedures being used by subject matter experts who are available locally. Tonga aims to use local expertise and develop local protocols to support the implementation of intervention actions under all five sectors. Vehicles and Waste Consideration should be given to the interconnectedness of vehicles, road maintenance and solid waste disposal. Challenges include coordination between ministries, lack of enforcement of regulations, limited access to data collection between line ministries and the lack of policies for vehicles and for waste disposal. The importation of vehicles into Tonga is already restricted to those manufactured from 2006 onwards, with vehicles older than this classified as waste in limited landfill sites. The focus is on the importance of road maintenance and waste segregation to support the implementation of transport and waste intervention actions. Pa’anga (Mai Ange): securing financing Finance and securing funding is an important requirement to fulfill nearly all intervention actions under each sector. Funding needs to be publicly increased and go straight to the community for education and awareness. In particular, there needs to be an increased focus on strengthening vulnerable populations, ensuring they are involved and consulted in the implementation of all sector intervention actions. Image: A boat during low tide, in the intertidal zone on the coast of Manuka, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. 94 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 95 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS 4 MAJOR FIRST STEPS 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION

5.1 National context: climate change impacts in Tonga Tonga faces near and long term exposure to the negative impacts of Sea Level Rise With most settlements close to the climate change and natural disasters. coast, Tonga is particularly vulnerable Tonga was ranked the second to sea level rise. Satellite data highest disaster risk country globally, collected by Tonga’s Meteorological according to the World Risk Report Service and Pacific-Australia Climate in 2020 (Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft, Change Science and Adaptation 2020). Tonga’s future climate will Planning Program, indicates that sea see annual mean temperatures and level has risen near Tonga by about extremely high daily temperatures 6 mm per year since 1993. This is continue to rise; ocean acidification larger than the global average of is expected to continue and tropical 2.8–3.6 mm per year. According to cyclones are projected to be less their very high emissions scenario, frequent but more intense. this rise in sea level is projected to Temperature and Rainfall be in the range of 7-17 cm annually, by 2030. However, research by ADB Annual and wet season mean projects that sea level will rise by 24 and minimum temperatures have ±5 cm by 2050 under the RCP8.5 increased in Nuku’alofa since 1949 scenario, and by 80±25 cm by 2100 (Pacific-Australia Climate Change under the RCP8.5 scenario (ADB, Science and Adaptation Planning 2019). The risk of inundation due to Program, 2013). Wet season sea level rise is projected to remain maximum temperatures have relatively low until 2050. According increased at a rate of 0.15°C per to the ADB, the Sopu wetlands will decade and dry season minimum continue to attenuate tidal heights temperatures have increased at a and reduce coastal inundation rate of 0.13°C per decade over the from extreme high tides. The Sopu same period. By 2030, under a very wetlands currently dampen the tidal high emissions scenario, this increase range to around 30 cm. This effect in temperature is projected to be in is projected to continue out to 2050, the range of 0.4–1.0°C. Further, the and high tides will probably be only 1-in-20-year maximum temperature 10 – 15 cm higher than present. As for Nuku’alofa will increase by 1.5°C sea levels rise, the dampening effect by 2050, though some climate of the Sopu wetland on the tides will models project an even greater rise diminish, and risks from inundation of over 2°C (ADB, 2019). will eventually impact most of the Since the 1940s, there have not been low lying areas of Nuku’alofa by 2090 clear trends in wet season or annual under the RCP8.5 scenario. By this rainfall in Tonga. However, projections time, many houses will be completely suggest that extreme rainfall days inundated at high tide, and low lying will occur more often and be more areas may have to be abandoned. intense (Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program, 2013). The same data shows that since the 18th century, the level of ocean acidification has slowly increased in Tonga’s waters. Image (opposite page): Seawall along the village of Manuka in the Eastern district, Tongatapu. Taken in 2021. TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 97 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION

5.2 Existing policies • Target 3: Human Settlements pathways actions will support climate resilient homes, schools, and community halls, through actions such as frameworks and ‘Improve the climate resilience of housing and buildings’ (Action 5). commitment to JNAP2: the LT-LEDS supports the overall objectives of JNAP2, in particular, climate adaptation Objective 4 on designing and implementing on-the-ground actions that build a Resilient Tonga by 2035 at national, island and community levels, specifically against the following objectives: Despite these challenges Tonga has demonstrated • Objective 2: As JNAP2 seeks to implement a coordinated approach to research, monitoring and management of data and information, this commitment to achieving a resilient Tonga by 2035. will be supported by the LT-LEDS under the AFOLU pathway in Action 2 to improve coordination of public and private sectors to harmonise The Tongan Strategic Development Framework (see Section 1.3) states existing data collection. ‘Tonga is our inheritance and our wealth in the form of our people, our • Objective 4: The LT-LEDs has specific actions to support climate land, and our strong Christian and traditional values that underpin our resilient infrastructure under Energy pathways Action 2: Draft regulation culture. We have inherited this from our families. We must pass it on to our and policy paper for infrastructure developed using green infrastructure children in an improved condition.’ (TSDF II, page 17).’ This is supported by standards. the complementing policies of the Tonga Climate Change Policy (TCCP, 2016) and JNAP2 (introduced in Section 1.3). • Objective 5: Seeks to secure and mobilise the required finances and resources to build a Resilient Tonga by 2035, which is supported under the Human Settlements pathway by Action 2: Develop a disaster risk financing strategy to manage funds during disaster response so that Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015-2025: the LT-LEDS vision communities can access climate resilient infrastructure, and Action 3: and ambition supports a TSDF II National Outcome for ‘A more inclusive, Engage with donors and partners to source funds for infrastructure The LT-LEDS sustainable and effective land administration, environment management, management and design, particularly on stormwater management and aligns with and resilience to climate and risk’. In particular, sector pathways for Energy, road design’. The Energy pathway also supports this objective through Tonga’s key Transport and Human Settlements align with the following Organisational Action 6: Increase access to finance for the private sector to fund policies in Outcomes: supply-side renewable energy, projects and green infrastructure. regards to resilience and • Organisational Outcome 4.1: The LT-LEDS includes steps and actions adaptation in the to progress towards more reliable, safe, affordable and widely available Tonga’s Second NDC: the LT-LEDS and the Second NDC are well aligned following ways: energy services with the aim to increase use of renewable energy. in terms of mitigation and adaptation, specifically the Second NDC’s three • Organisational Outcome 4.2: Actions under the Transport pathways adaptation targets have been integrated into the LT-LEDS in the following support more reliable, safe and affordable transport services that are ways: energy and environmentally efficient. • 30 percent of land in Tonga utilised for agroforestry or forestry by 2025: • Organisational Outcome 4.4: The Human Settlements pathways integrated into the AFOLU pathway under Action 1 to strengthen Public contains actions and measures to support more reliable, safe and Private Partnerships to drive requirements of organisations with the aim affordable buildings and other structures, that consider disaster of sharing responsibility to promote best practices in agriculture and resilience and energy efficiency. forestry. • Organisational Outcome 4.5: The process of developing the LT-LEDs • Prevent any permanent loss of land to rising sea levels on Tonga’s four enabled stakeholders to practice ‘improved foresight’ by employing main islands (Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u, and ‘Eua): This is supported futures thinking principles to consider Tonga’s low emissions futures by Action 9 under the AFOLU pathway to ‘Strengthen and refine (See Chapter 2). current policy on coastal protection’. This action will leverage traditional knowledge in plant selection for restoration of mangroves and replanting of foreshores. Tonga Climate Change Policy: the LT-LEDS contains actions that will support • Maintenance of existing stocks of fish and other marine species through the delivery of targets under the TCCP, specifically its adaptation targets: a commitment to expand the area covered by Marine Protected Areas • Target 1: The AFOLU pathways inclusion of MPAS and SMAs supports (MPAs) and Special Management Areas (SMAs) to 30 percent of the TCCP target that every coastal community has a special Tonga’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): This will be supported through management area and protected coastal environment as a means to the establishment of an SMA association and ensure its maintenance protect against sea level rise and storm surges. through financial support and capacity (Action 5) with the purpose of expanding the number of MPAs and SMAs. • Target 2: The redesign of roads, buildings and other infrastructure so they are resilient to disasters is integrated into Transport and Human The TSDF II, TCCP and JNAP2 form a whole-of-Tonga approach to building Settlement pathways through actions such as ‘Human Settlements resilience over the next decade. This approach aligns with international Action 2: Develop a disaster risk financing strategy to manage funds agreements, including the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC, the Sendai during disaster response’ and ‘Transport Action 3: Strengthening Road Framework, the Montreal Protocol, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, maintenance - Tanu Hala’. the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific. 98 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 99 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION

5.3 Synergies between Expansion of Marine Protected Areas mitigation and adaptation and Special Management Areas identified throughout the The LT-LEDS supports Tonga’s Second NDC with maintenance of existing stocks of fish and other marine species through a commitment to expand the stakeholders consultation area covered by MPAs and SMAs. SMAs will help prevent any permanent loss of land to rising sea levels on Tonga’s four main islands, while MPAs will support process the maintenance of the existing stocks of fish and other marine species. This combination of measures will improve overall resilience by improving fisheries productivity and management, thereby boosting livelihood The Government of Tonga has implemented a variety of adaptation measures opportunities and incomes for local fishing communities and reducing to enhance climate resilience and to minimise the adverse impacts of climate vulnerability to food shortages. It is expected that they will also attract change on the community, economy and our everyday lives. greater numbers of international tourists, with associated benefits for employment and economic growth. Stakeholders acknowledge that a The LT-LEDS is no different, with multiple co-benefits for adaptation and common definition is required regarding what is included in MPAs and SMAs, resilience identified in the process of developing sectoral pathways. along with support to communities and enforcement of permissible uses within the areas. The following Improve productivity and diversity of Reforestation as part of promoting measures captures these agroforestry best practices in agroforestry synergies and The diversity of species within the agroforestry and woodlands-dominated Tonga has made strong commitments to reforestation, including planting cut across landscape of Tonga is credited with helping to maintain the general health one million trees under its Second NDC. These additional trees will increase the sectoral of plants and ecosystems (GOT, 2010b). Improving agroforestry and Tonga’s mitigation potential. They will also deliver adaptation and resilience pathways: subsequent mixed production can also bring greater resilience, by increasing benefits by improving the health and biodiversity of Tonga’s ecosystems, land productivity and efficiency in the use of water and other resources reducing exposure to extreme weather events, protecting waterways, and protecting against soil erosion, as well as serving carbon sequestration improving soil structure, avoiding erosion and protecting against flooding. If objectives (IPCC 2014). However, stakeholders acknowledge efforts will need reforestation is implemented with mixed production systems, this will increase to be made to overcome dependency on imported foods and limited space land productivity and efficiency in the use of water and other resources. in urban areas, and to assess the net effect on agricultural crops grown under agroforestry regimes. Stakeholders noted that forestry officers need to better quantify the costs and benefits of trees, including assessing the benefits of mixed production. Improving the productivity and diversity of agroforestry for food, fiber, and In addition there is a need to utilise local experts within MAFF and other timber and increasing the standing stock (biomass) of trees in agroforestry partners to carry out this field research and determine potential tree species, systems will bring mitigation benefits by increasing the carbon stock of tree-crop associations, tree/crop-soil categorisation, species selection, soil Tonga’s soil and woody biomass. This action will also provide significant preparation techniques and management techniques. Landowners should be adaptation co-benefits for climate change adaptation and resilience. engaged in a participatory manner in order to generate ownership of these These include income generation and subsistence from productive species approaches and technologies from the outset. The proposed community and commodities; maintenance of tree cover to protect and regenerate nurseries will allow communities to actively take part in the national soil fertility and sources of freshwater; and revitalisation of well-adapted reforestation efforts. customary practices and associated traditional knowledge. Active agroforestry systems also help minimise land tillage (especially repeated ploughing); restricts the slashing and burning of weeds; increases the use of Enhance home gardening mulching and composting materials; and minimises incidences of pest and Tonga seeks to expand production and improve the productivity of home disease infestation. A climate-smart approach to sustainable agroforestry gardens, including household agroforestry, with particular attention to home will draw on local expertise and the experience of Tongan landholders in the gardens managed by women, to produce multiple vegetable crops for growing and use of trees as part of their traditional agroforestry regimes. household consumption. The intended result is increased productivity and This will be enriched by the appropriate introduction of climate resilient crop local income, increased food production at the household level and increased varieties and practices based on best available scientific knowledge. land productivity and efficiency in the use of water and other resources, to protect against soil erosion as well as serve carbon sequestration objectives. Unnecessary burning of organic wastes will be prevented through the use of mulching and composting techniques, where locally-made organic fertilizer will be available at home. In addition, home gardens help women plant trees of social, cultural and economic value, such as the paper mulberry for feta’aki (tapa cloth) making. All these outcomes will represent co-benefits from the perspective of climate change adaptation and resilience, in addition to the mitigation effects of protection of soil organic matter and increased plant biomass in home gardens. 100 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 101 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION Co-benefits of energy interventions Reduced waste production and A number of energy interventions in Tonga’s sectoral pathways will bring adaptation and mitigation benefits. For example, demand response systems sustainable waste disposal can help keep a power grid stable by balancing electricity supply and The way in which Waste integrates with other sectors, as well as adaptation demand. This stability will mean resilience and reliability during natural and resilience was given much consideration through the LT-LEDS disasters and other disruptions. Likewise, the introduction of battery storage development. Interactions include liquid waste, solid waste and the disposal will bring grid stability, though stakeholders noted the need for proper of battery storage and EV batteries. disposal of batteries lest they cause negative environmental impacts. Further, Proper collection of liquid waste (such as wastewater and fecal sludge) fulfilling new and existing renewable energy targets will bring more energy prevents runoff and water and soil contamination. This would result in to the grid and reduce Tonga’s reliance on imported fuels. However, not all adaptation and health co-benefits, particularly during storms and cyclones renewable energy is cyclone proof, so stakeholders suggest consideration (when waste infrastructure can be damaged and septic tanks/pit latrines can should be given to a mix of renewable options, alongside careful placement. overflow). Further, ad hoc solid waste can turn into debris during tropical Other energy conservation measures should bring adaptation and resilience storms and cyclones. Thus, the proper collection and sorting of solid waste can co-benefits. For example, in order to implement building standards for reduce the risk of marine, coastal and ecosystem pollution, thus serving as a energy efficiency, a review of the building code will be required. This co-benefit towards adaptation. In particular, Tonga’s efforts to reduce single- will provide an opportunity to ensure that new constructions are well- use plastic and increase the use of local materials could lead to green job engineered to withstand the worsening effects of tropical cyclones. Tonga creation through traditional materials markets, the introduction of an alternative also seeks to improve street lighting through LED lamps, which will reduce materials economy in Tonga and reduced dependence on imported goods. energy consumption and increase safety and pedestrian access. However, Tonga’s action on composting and returning organics to the land will also stakeholders noted that consideration needs to be given to the correct light- bring climate resilience and adaptation benefits. These include using compost spectrum to ensure new LED lighting does not bring negative impacts to as soil amendment to return valuable nutrients and carbon to land, while wildlife, such as the risk of nesting turtles being attracted to bright lights. decreasing reliance on synthetic fertilisers; these are polluting to manufacture, import and use (including through the release of nitrous oxide), unhealthy Impacts of EV uptake on transport and extremely expensive. Further, it can reduce soil erosion events that are higher during periods of intense rain; these will become more common due to and waste climate change. It will also improve crop yields through the use of compost and improving moisture retention of soil (resulting in lower irrigation requirements). Tonga is keen to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles, with Transport Finally, composting leads to improved soil conditions in areas degraded by stakeholders suggesting the adoption of EVs for the government fleet. climate change or industrial activities (e.g. mines, quarries and old landfill). This will bring resilience during disasters as batteries enable Tongans to be better prepared and less reliant on imported fuels (the supply of which is often disrupted during tropical storms and cyclones), as well as saving Resilient community infrastructure in money on imported fuel costs. However, the batteries needed for EVs may bring negative environmental impacts through leaching and contamination human settlements across Tonga into soil and water. Stakeholders therefore stressed the need for due With most Tongans living in an urban environment, human settlement consideration to be given to safe and clean waste disposal. interventions primarily aim to address climate adaptation and resilience objectives. For example, the introduction of Disaster Risk Reduction (DDR) remote sensing capabilities, specifically GIS and satellite imaging to create and map resilient community infrastructures by digitisation, will create access to resilient community infrastructure such as schools, churches and community halls. These facilities provide a dual purpose of social convening and as assembly areas during emergencies. Further, DRR remote sensing capabilities and enhancing information sharing with regional monitoring facilities will improve access to timely information for emergency evacuations, to the whole of Tonga’s populations. Investing resources to regularly upgrade and maintain community infrastructure will ensure that climate resilient assembly facilities can keep communities safe during emergencies. Upgrading roads to integrate stormwater drainage and improve road design will reduce flood risk in Tonga’s urban areas and increase road resilience to flood damage. As rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, a number of measures could improve Tonga’s water supply. These include revising the Resource and Supply Master Plan, centralising water supply systems (such as in villages), and amending legislation and policy. This will have a positive impact on Tonga’s ability to adapt to water shortages resulting from climate change. Finally the retrofitting of houses and other buildings that may be done for the purpose of energy efficiency should also be combined with disaster retrofitting. This would mean houses and buildings can withstand damaging winds and tropical cyclones and will improve Tonga’s ability to prepare and Image: Mangroves at the Fanga’uta Lagoon along Havelu, Tongatapu.Taken in 2021. manage disasters as they occur. 102 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 103 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION 5 CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ADAPTATION Tonga is committed to co-ordinating processes for it’s LT-LEDS and future NDCs, with the aim to bring alignment between long 6 and short term actions, thereby avoiding duplication of efforts GOVERNANCE, and allowing for regular exchange of information between the two documents. This alignment will occur under institutional arrangements, systems for monitoring and assessing progress, MONITORING and revisions or review cycles. & REVIEW Institutional Tonga already has a preexisting institutional arrangement as a precondition for effective LT-LEDS and NDC alignment. The JNAP management structure will continue to oversee the implementation of the LT-LEDS and subsequent revisions of NDCs (see more on this cycle below). It is intended that the Mitigation Division will facilitate communication and exchange of critical information (e.g. data, projections, policy priorities) across teams and working groups, promoting the development of coherent and aligned policies and priorities for both the LT-LEDS and the NDCs. (See Annex B for governance arrangements). The JNAP Secretariat has clear roles and responsibilities (see JNAP2 for full details), leading coordination and linkages between Parliament and Cabinet, the National Climate Change Coordination Committee, the National Emergency Committee, and the JNAP Technical Team. The Secretariat will advise the GOT on appropriate and effective policy responses on climate change issues, coordinate all climate change related activities and liaise with all ministries to ensure the implementation of mainstreaming into government plans, data and information management, capacity building and resilience building actions. Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) & Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems Tonga will use existing MRV and M&E systems in the context of review and revision cycles of both LT-LEDS and NDCs. Monitoring, measuring and evaluating progress of short-term action and NDC implementation can be useful to inform and readjust longer term strategies. Tonga will continue with MRV and M&E arrangements that are common to both the NDC and the LT-LEDS, through the NDC M&E Framework and JNAP2’s Monitoring and Evaluation System Guide.1 The JNAP2 M&E system is designed to support and contribute to reporting towards the TSDF and NDCs. It is operationalised by the JNAP Secretariat and National Planning Division. The GOT remains committed to indigenous notions of data gathering, synthesis and learning, exemplified in the Kakala Learning Framework2 which is at the heart of this M&E system. Image (opposite page): Seedlings at the Forestry Division’s (MAFF) nursery at Tokomololo, Tongatapu. Taken in 2020. 1 This document acknowledges that at the time of publication Tonga’s Second NDC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 2021 was still being finalised. The Government of Tonga will seek to align the LT- LEDS M&E with that of the Second NDC. 2 Thaman, K. H. (2009). Towards cultural democracy in teaching and learning with specific references to Pacific Island Nations (PINs). International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 3(2), 6 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 105 6 GOVERNANCE, MONITORING & REVIEW Review and revision cycles Tonga plans to undertake regular review and revision of its LT-LEDS to ensure it remains strategic and relevant, and reflective of changing national circumstances. Changes in national, regional and global context and macroeconomic trends e.g. rapid cost declines in certain mitigation technologies, may require LT-LEDS assumptions and decisions to be reconsidered. Information from the MRV and M&E systems may also prompt Tonga to reconsider or adjust the LT-LEDS and its sector pathways if they are not achieving the desired outcomes. Tonga will update its LT-LEDS in line with the five-year cycle of review under the provisions of the Paris Agreement. Thus subsequent NDCs and LT-LEDS will be updated in a single coordinated manner, encouraging alignment of near-term policy, planning and targets with long-term sectoral pathways. Participatory engagement on NDC enhancement and LT-LEDS will be held jointly with stakeholders, and the associated resources required will be streamlined. This coordinated review and revision will occur under the same government entity, Department of Climate Change, further maximising synergies between NDCs and LT-LEDS. Figure 2. Proposal for harmonised revision cycles of Tonga’s NDCs and LT-LEDS 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 TONGA STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK JNAP2 SECOND NDC SUBMISSION BY COP26 LT-LEDS THIRD NDC SUBMISSION BY 2025 CO-ORDINATED NDC & LT-LEDS REVISION LT-LEDS FOURTH NDC SUBMISSION BY 2030 CO-ORDINATED NDC & LT-LEDS REVISION LT-LEDS Image (opposite page): Aerial view of the city of Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu at dawn. Taken in 2021. 106 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 6 GOVERNANCE, MONITORING & REVIEW Reference list Government policies, Asian Development Bank. (2014). Solid Waste Management in the Pacific legislations and Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries. (2015b). Tonga Tonga Country Snapshot. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/ decrees can be Framework for Action on Food Security 2015-2020: draft for follow up files/publication/42660/solid-waste-management-tonga.pdf found in Annex C consultation. Retrieved from http://pafpnet.spc.int/attachments/article/636/ Tonga%20Framework%20for%20Action%20on%20Food%20Security_ Asian Development Bank. (2019). Climate Change Assessment for Integrated DRAFT_For%20Consultation.pdf Urban Resilience Sector Project. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/ default/files/linked-documents/49455-002-cca.pdf Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning Program. (2013). 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Retrieved from https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/225478354_Assessing_Marine_Resource_ Exploitation_in_Lofanga_Tonga_One_Case_Study-Two_Approaches Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries. (2015a). Tonga National Agricultural Census. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ ess/ess_test_folder/World_Census_Agriculture/Country_info_2010/Reports/ Reports_5/TON_ENG_REP_2015.pdf 108 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 109 Annex A. Consultation List Seti Chen Tonga Power Limited SOE Talo Fonua Tonga Power Limited SOE The following participants participated in Tonga’s long-term low emission Vahid Fifita Tonga Power Limited SOE development strategy process by attending one of the 3 workshops (October 2020, February 2021 and July 2021) or contributing to virtual stakeholder Andrew Kautoke Tonga Power Limited SOE consultations (April - May 2020) and the validation workshop (October 2021). We thank them for their invaluable participation and feedback. Quddus Fielea Tonga Water Board SOE Evaleti Fuapau Tonga Water Board SOE ORGANISATION FIRST NAME LAST NAME ORGANISATION Norma Lavemai Tonga Airports Limited SOE TYPE Andrew Niukapu Ports Authority Tonga SOE Cardinal Mafi Roman Catholic Church in Tonga FBO Mefilina Tohi National Reserve Bank of Tonga SOE ‘Inoke Kupu Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints FBO Seneti Lasike National Reserve Bank of Tonga SOE Mele Moimoi Tonga National Council of Churches (IDRIT Project) FBO Siosiua Talanoa Friendly Islands Shipping Agency SOE Salote Sakalia Caritas Tonga FBO Ifalemi Ma'u Pacific Energy Private Malialosa Tapueluelu Caritas Tonga FBO Jesse Tikomailepanoni TOTAL Limited Private Keasi Pongi Civil Society Forum of Tonga CSO Dean Corpuz TOTAL Limited Private Emele Latu Civil Society Forum of Tonga CSO Lopeti Palu Raeworx Limited Private Timote Lomu Civil Society Forum of Tonga CSO Akesa Ahokava Raeworx Limited Private Olive Mafi Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship (TYEE) CSO Tatafu Moeaki ADB Donor Vesta Guttenbeil Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship (TYEE) CSO Ana Tukia Land Transport Division, Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) Government Lucy Latu-Jones Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship (TYEE) CSO Hemaloto Tupou Marine Ports Division, MOI Government Papiloa Foliaki Tonga Community Development Trust CSO Tevita Lavemai Land Transport Division, MOI Government Kalolaine Kavaefiafi Tonga Community Development Trust CSO Peni Fa'aui Buildings Division, MOI Government Sione Taumoefolau Tonga Red Cross Society CSO Roki Fatiaki Buildings Division, MOI Government Marika Moala Tonga Red Cross Society CSO Hepi Oko Land Transport Division, MOI Government Vanessa Lolohea Tonga National Youth Congress CSO Ane Tauki’uvea Ministry of Infrastructure Government Samiuela Halahala Tonga National Youth Congress CSO ‘Atelaite Palu Ministry of Infrastructure Government Siosiua Veikune Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change CSO ‘Otile Talanoa Ministry of Infrastructure Government Kilisitina Moala Take the Lead | Taki Mu’a CSO Filisi Tonga Ministry of Health Government Elizabeth V Kite Take the Lead | Taki Mu’a CSO Viliami Tongamana Ministry of Health Government Maile Fotu Take the Lead | Taki Mu’a CSO Tevita Faka’iloatonga Ministry of Health Government Lakai Fonua Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industries CSO Heimuli Likiafu Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forests (MAFF) Government Paula Taumoepeau Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industries CSO Mana'ia Halafihi Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forests (MAFF) Government Sam Vea Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industries CSO Charles Kato Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forests (MAFF) Government Carrie Vaea Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industries CSO Elisaia Ika Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forests (MAFF) Government Crystal Ake Mordi Tonga Trust CSO Women Affairs and Gender Equality Division, MIA Timote Laume Live & Learn Tonga CSO ‘Eleni Tu'i Latu’ila Government (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Lola Tonga Waste Authority Limited SOE Women Affairs and Gender Equality Division, MIA Ane Tovi Government (Ministry of Internal Affairs) Nikolasi Fonua Tonga Power Limited SOE Latu Palu Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Government Pesa Tohi Tonga Power Limited SOE 110 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 111 Sione Faleafa Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Government ‘Ofa Sefana Department of Energy, MEIDECC Government Sandra Fifita Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Government Lupe Matoto Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Mele Fonua Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Government Mafile'o Masi Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Climate Change, Disaster Risk Financing and Resilient Dorothy Foliaki Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Saane Lolo Government Development Unit, Ministry of Finance Sulieti Hufanga Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Linda Fa'u Ministry of Finance Government Sisilia Ulakai Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Lupe Fe'iloaki National Planning Division, Prime Minister's Office Government Mele Tovi Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Ma’ata Mafi National Planning Division, Prime Minister's Office Government Loisi Tongia Department of Environment, MEIDECC Government Silia Taulava National Planning Division, Prime Minister's Office Government Fe'ofa'aki Latu Information Department, MEIDECC Government Fono Hola National Planning Division, Prime Minister’s Office Government Lu’isa Taunga National Emergency Management Office, MEIDECC Government Kiu Tatafu National Planning Division, Prime Minister’s Office Government ‘Ofa Sefana GHG Inventory Team, MEIDECC Government Lusia Kaitapu Tonga Statistics Department Government Lopeti Tufui Department of Climate Change Government Samisoni Fotu Tonga Statistics Department Government Elizabeth Akauola Department of Climate Change Government Telekaki Latavao Tonga Statistics Department Government Frances Satini Department of Climate Change Government Masiva'ilo Masila Tonga Statistics Department Government Anau Mataele Department of Climate Change Government Ofeina He Tonga Statistics Department Government Viliami Takau Department of Climate Change Government Vaimoana Soakimi Tonga Statistics Department Government Siutaisa Fakahua Department of Climate Change Government Mele Taumoepeau Tonga Statistics Department Government A Seini Tolu Department of Climate Change Government Siola'a Malimali Ministry of Fisheries Government Norma Taukapo Department of Climate Change Government Manatu Samate Maile Ministry of Fisheries Government Tonga Fuapau Department of Climate Change Government Mele Fa’anunu Ministry of Fisheries Government Susana Liava’a Department of Climate Change Government Angelic Pale Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) Government Estimoor Kaufusi Department of Climate Change Government Susitina Ta'ai National Spatial Planning Authority Office, MLNR Government Ma’ata Foliaki Department of Climate Change Government Maka Matekitonga National Spatial Planning Authority Office, MLNR Government Alilia Fine Facilitator Government Rennie Vaiomounga Natural Resource Division, MLNR Government Samisoni Tupou Facilitator Government Lolo Tukuafu Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Government Posevima Havea Department of Climate Change Government Kolomanu Fakatoulelei Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Government Akesiu Fifita Department of Climate Change Government Taaniela Kula Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Government Loiloi Latu Facilitator Government Halalilika ‘Etika Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Government Lilu Moala Department of Climate Change Government Folauhola Latu’ila Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Government Elenoa Maile Department of Climate Change Government ‘Anaseini Manuopangai Ministry of Tourism Government Mary Tuila Department of Climate Change Government ‘Atelaite Moa Ministry of Tourism Government Star Pau'u Facilitator Other Michael Cokanasiga Ministry of Revenue & Customs Government Inoke Taufa Facilitator Other Viliami Folaumahina Ministry of Revenue & Customs Government Taniela Hoponoa Technical Expert Other Siaosi Faka’osi Ministry of Internal Affairs Government Richard Kautoke Technical Expert Other Tevita Tukunga Department of Energy, MEIDECC Government Polikalepo Kefu Facilitator Other Eliate Laulaupea'alu Department of Energy, MEIDECC Government Katrina Ma'u Fatiaki Facilitator Other Samiuela Matakaiongo Department of Energy, MEIDECC Government 112 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 113 Annex B. Process Governance Annex C. Relevant Legislation and Policy The LT-LEDS was developed by a project team made up of key officials from Tonga’s Department of Climate Change from MEIDECC and staff from ClimateWorks Australia, GGGI and Relative Creative: National • The Department of Climate Change’s Mitigation Division at MEIDECC was • Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF II, 2015-2025) responsible for overall coordination, arranging and conducting all meetings and • Tonga Climate Change Policy (TCCP, 2016) workshops with stakeholders including government and civil society (see Annex • Joint National Action Plan 2 Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, A for full list of consulted stakeholders), reviewing and revising workshop reports, 2018 -2028 (JNAP2) providing guidance to international team on cultural concepts, protocols and sensitivities, providing illustrations and core concept for document design, final • Tonga’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC, 2020) reviewing of the overall document, as well as consultations with development • Third National Communication (TNC, 2019) partners. • National Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Tonga Policy and Strategic • ClimateWorks Australia had primary responsibility for overall project Plan of Action 2019-2025 management, ensuring the team understands work assigned and timelines, and Energy managing grants and contracts. • Renewable Energy Act (2008) • GGGI was responsible for technical pathways analysis and advice on strategies • Electricity Act (2007) and policy. • Petroleum Act (1959) • Relative Creative led on the design of the workshops, support for facilitators and • Tonga Energy Road Map 2010-2020 (TERM) professional visual communication design of product outputs. • TERM-PLUS Framework Governance and project oversight was provided by the existing JNAP Technical Team, • Tonga Energy Efficiency Master Plan (TEEMP) a group of high-level Tongan officials with the mandate to provide high level guidance to the JNAP Secretariat, advise the National Climate Change Coordination Committee Transport (NCCCC) on technical matters relating to JNAP2 and liaise with all Ministries. • Tonga National Infrastructure Investment Plan (NIIP II) 2013 -2023 The Project Team prepared the LT-LEDS draft for approval by the Tongan government. AFOLU The JNAP Technical Team and Technical Working Groups reviewed, validated and finally • Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan (TASF) 2016-2020 endorsed the document. After approval and recommendation from the Director of Department of Climate Change, the CEO of MEIDECC and the Minister of MEIDECC, the • Tonga Forestry Act 2016 LT-LEDS was submitted to Cabinet for approval in November, 2021. The Government of • Tonga National Forest Policy (TNFP) 2009 Tonga submitted its LT-LEDS to the UNFCCC in November, 2021. • Code of Practice for Sustainable Management of Forests 2010 • Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-2024 • Management Plan for the Forests and Tree Resources of Tonga 2017 • Agricultural Commodities Export Act 2002 Figure 3. Institutional Arrangements for LT-LEDS Development • Animal Disease Act 1979 • Birds and Fish Preservation Act 1915 • Copra Act 1926 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) • Food Act 2014 • Markets Act 1976 Parliament Cabinet • Noxious Weeds Act 1917 Standing Committee Climate Change on Climate Change Cabinet Committee • Pesticides Act 2002 • Plant Quarantine Act 1982 • Pounds and Animals Act 1918 MEIDECC Department of Climate Change | Mitigation Division • Rhinoceros Beetle Act 1912 Waste • Waste Management Act (2005) JNAP Technical Team International Donors & Consultant Team National Climate Change • Environmental Management Act (2010) & NGO Forum Development Partners Mitigation & Adaptation (ClimateWork Australia, FFFI, Coordination Committee • Environment Management (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations (2016) Working Group Relative Creative) Human Settlements • Tonga National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2020-2030 (NIIP 3) Other Ministries Faith-based Local Private sector CSOs & NGOs and agencies organisations communities 114 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 TONGA LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2021-2050 115 Department of Climate Change Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) Level 3, O.G Sanft Building Taufa'ahau Road, Nuku'alofa, Tonga Tel +676 20 100 www.climatechange.gov.to