Tonga validates its draft NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan

CEO for MEIDECC, Mr Paula Maú (seated, centre) and the workshop participants

22nd October, 2021 As a follow up to the consultation workshop in August this year, the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of MEIDECC and its working partners, the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) with consultancy counterpart Castalia, conducted a national stakeholder workshop to validate the draft Tonga Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Roadmap and NDC Investment Plan (including project pipeline) at the Basilica of St Anthony of Badua Conference Room, Nukuálofa.

The NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan including Project Pipeline is a plan for the Government of Tonga to achieve its Second NDC targets through mitigation projects in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) and waste sectors and adaptation projects in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) sector. Through successful implementation of the 15 projects identified in the AFOLU, waste, and MPAs sector, Tonga will be on track to achieve its 2020 Second NDC targets. It is also intended that this national document, once completed, will help generate interests from potential implementation partners, including donors and private investors, to fund the robust pipeline of projects included in the NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan and other projects in Tonga.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Paula Ma’u, CEO for MEIDECC stated that the draft document being validated will “expedite the accomplishment of Tonga’s Second NDC targets, through mitigation and adaptation project opportunities in the sectors of; Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land-Use (AFOLU); Waste and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).” Mr. Maú also thanked the national stakeholders for their contributions to Tonga’s NDC works and “climate actions, resilience-building efforts and commitments to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.”

Participants during the workshop

During the workshop, the participants were provided with an overview of the project and the process undertaken to develop the NDC Implementation Roadmap and the Investment Plan with project pipeline consisting of 15 projects and their green-house gas emission reduction potential, costs, co-benefits, capacity requirements, and potential to attract funding.  The workshop participants were also provided ample opportunities for final feedback on the draft document.

The national validation workshop was attended by over 50 representatives from government and non-government organizations relevant to the AFOLU, waste and MPAs sectors. The draft NDC Implementation Roadmap and NDC Investment Plan will be finalized for submission to the Cabinet before it can used to support the implementation of Tonga’s Second NDC.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of Climate Change (MEIDECC)