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Tonga

New or Updated NDC

Analysis of New NDC

Timeframe

2021 – 2030

Relevant context

Tonga is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) comprising 176 islands. This SIDS is categorized as one of the most-at-risk countries in terms of its exposure to the impacts of climate change, in particular to cyclones, flooding and sea level rise. Since 1993, sea level rise has increased by 0.007m annually.

Tonga has specific targets for both mitigation and adaptation. For mitigation, Tonga is looking to achieve a 13% (16 Gg) reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 through a transition to 70% renewable electricity, planting one million trees and expansion of a formal waste collection. For adaptation, Tonga is committed to using 30% of land for agroforestry or forestry, preventing loss of land and maintenance of existing stocks of fish.

Process for developing NDC

The development of this second NDC is financially supported by the Regional Pacific NDC Hub and is guided by the Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2018-2028 (TSDF II), the Energy Road Map, the Energy Efficiency Master Plan, the National Forestry Policy, and the Joint National Action Plan 2 on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management 2018-2028 (JNAP 2). This NDC is also aligned with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Montreal Protocol as well as Tonga’s Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), to be submitted to the UNFCCC in 2021.

The Department of Climate Change oversaw the development of this second NDC. The process involved the review of the implementation of the 2015 INDC/original NDC and identifying means of how to enhance this second NDC. Inputs, including through structured interviews, were obtained from stakeholders (e.g., government officials, technical experts and civil society). The review of the original NDC and the development of this second NDC--including targets and measures recommended--also took into consideration data, academic studies and other reports. The findings were then validated by the Tonga JNAP technical team and stakeholders at national workshops, which was attended by 25 women and 20 men. This second NDC was formulated based on the findings. The draft of this second NDC underwent a final validation by the JNAP technical team and national stakeholders before the document was sent to the ministries and departments, and subsequently submitted to and approved by the Tongan Cabinet.

Description of Monitoring and/or Implementation Mechanism

There are general mentions of sectoral monitoring and evaluation, particularly for Marine Managed Areas.

A NDC Road Map and Investment Plan will be developed in 2021 to steer the implementation of this second NDC. In the Annex, the “coordination between and consultation of all relevant stakeholders” is regarded as a requirement for developing Tonga’s NDCs and its effective implementation.

Summary of gender reference

In the Annex, there is a generic mention that Tonga prioritizes social inclusion, in which aspects such as gender, income and age are taken into account when developing its NDCs. Also, gender is mentioned as one of the cross-cutting areas along with finance, planning and local government.

Tonga: Analysis of Second NDC

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	Yes
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation Adaptation
Type of support	Conditional Unconditional
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	Yes
Monitoring and/or implementation	Monitoring Implementation
Reference to women/gender	Yes
Gender Tags	GS

Analysis of Original NDC

Timeframe

Now until 2030

Relevant context

SIDS that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Process for developing NDC

This NDC was prepared primarily using pre-existing national policy documents, and sector policies and plans to ensure accurate reflection of national development priorities, with pre-existing stakeholder support. The NDC was reviewed by Tonga's Climate Change Technical Group, including representation of all key relevant agencies/Government Ministries, before formal Cabinet endorsement. In preparation for COP21, Tonga has agreed to table its NDC under the TSDF framework where key stakeholder engagements at local, regional and national level, to the climate change are facilitated by the TSDF institutional arrangements for monitoring and evaluation on an annual basis. In light of this NDC, in partnership with economy wide counterparts, MEIDECC will host a broader set of stakeholder consultations post COP 21 after December 2015. The consultations will provide an opportunity to discuss Tonga’s position, fill gaps and build a common understanding and approach towards the agreed Paris COP21 and Tonga's NDC. These stakeholder engagements will provide an opportunity to raise awareness, mobilize, inform and engage with key stakeholder groups and the general public around climate change issues, and climate change approach and response efforts at all levels.

Description of Monitoring and/or Implementation Mechanism

The mechanism for implementation will be through a new Joint National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (JNAP), along with all other plans (at sector, island, and community level) that are fully aligned with the goal and targets of the policy. The new JNAP, to be finalised by mid-2016 at the latest, will be fully aligned with the climate change policy objectives. Specific activities will be identified, with measureable indicators to align with the TSDF 2015-2025, and also be fully cost. This will be indeed crucial for negotiating and securing of funding from donors for implementation of this plan.

Summary of gender reference

In relation to Tonga’s national response to climate change, it notes that Tonga’s Strategic Development Framework 2015-25 has seven national outcomes, including: A more inclusive, sustainable and empowering human development with gender equality.

In an Annex to the NDC, it also notes legislation and policies that are ‘aligned with a Resilient Tonga’. This includes: The Family Protection Act, the National Policy on Gender and Development and the Strategic Plan, all in the focal area of Women.

Tonga NDC

Gender Analysis Summary
Submitted NDC	Yes
Submitted language	English
Submitted translation	No
NDC commitments	Mitigation Adaptation
Type of support	Conditional Unconditional
Participatory process for NDC development mentioned	Yes
Monitoring and/or implementation	Monitoring Implementation
Reference to women/gender	Yes
Gender Tags	GS

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Related Resources

Gender and Environment Survey 2022 Report: Kingdom of Tonga

Report

Download

Author

Sara Duerto Valero, Anthony Burgard, Sanghyun Jeon and Lupe Moala Tupou

Year

2023

Country

Tonga

Citation

Duerto Valero, S., Burgard, A., Jeon, Sanghyun, J., and Moala Tupou, L. (2023). Gender and Environment Survey 2022 Report: Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga Statistics Department and UN Women.

Data Disasters & Disaster Risk Reduction Gender Analysis & Assessment