The First National Stakeholder Consultation Workshop in reviewing of the Tonga Climate Change Policy 2016
Thursday 29th April – The First National Stakeholder Consultation Workshop in reviewing of the Tonga Climate Change Policy 2016 was held at the LDS Hall, Vaha’akolo Rd.
The Tonga Climate Change Policy was launched in 2016 as a framework for all climate action in Tonga to achieve the goal vision of a resilient Tonga by 2035. The policy is subject to a 5-year review. The Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC is partnering with the Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD)/NAP-GN (funded under the NDC Partnership) to conduct the review of the policy.
This stakeholder consultation workshop is the first in a series of meetings and consultations to be held with climate change stakeholders who are members of the JNAP Taskforce. The objective of the workshop was to discuss recommendations on a Desk Review of the Policy compiled by IISD and to gather participants’ feedback.
The Director of Climate Change, Ms. Lu’isa Tu’i’afitu Malolo welcomed the stakeholders emphasizing that their participation and feedback was critical for reviewing the policy. She stressed the importance of the ‘integrated approach’ set out in the Tonga Climate Change Policy calling for all sectors to work together – as the means to achieving a resilient Tonga by 2035 which will be realized through the achievement of objectives and specific resilient targets defined in the policy.
The review of the Tonga Climate Change Policy is envisaged to be completed in May and the revised policy to be launched in June 2021.