Advanced Climate Action with National Loss and Damage Evidence Base Validation Workshop

Nukuʻalofa, Tonga – 15 April 2026, The Government of Tonga, through the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), today convened the National Loss and Damage Evidence Base Validation Workshop at Ancient Tonga, Fangaloto.

This important national workshop is part of the ongoing implementation of the Loss and Damage Capacity and Capability (LDCC) Project, delivered in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and funded by the Government of New Zealand.

Tonga continues to face increasing impacts of climate change, resulting in both economic and non-economic losses. These include damage to infrastructure, water systems, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods, as well as loss on cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and ecosystems.

The workshop portrays a progress in the development of Tonga’s first National Evidence Base Report on Climate Change-Induced Loss and Damage. The evidence base consolidates national data and insights gathered through extensive consultations, including engagement with communities in the outer islands of Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, and ʻEua.

Bringing together representatives from government ministries, non-government organizations, the private sector, and development partners, the workshop aims to validate the draft findings of the evidence base. Participants are contributing sector-specific knowledge, identifying data gaps, and ensuring the report reflects a comprehensive and accurate understanding of climate-related impacts across Tonga.

The participatory workshop includes presentations on project progress, findings from national national dialogue, and the draft evidence base.

Mr. Richard Reinen-Hamil, the leading expert from the Tonkin + Taylor emphasizes that the expected outcome is a validated and robust National Loss and Damage Evidence Base that will inform policy development, national planning, and investment decisions. It will also strengthen Tonga’s ability to access climate finance and support resilient development pathways.

This initiative represents a critical step in enhancing coordination and collaboration across sectors and ensuring that Tonga is well-positioned to respond effectively to climate-induced loss and damage.

ENDS