A workshop focusing on finance opportunities for climate action projects in Tonga was held on Friday, 20 August by the Climate Change Department.

In opening the workshop, MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u stressed the call for urgent climate action and the need for clear financing plans. He said this was crucial, following the stark warning of the first part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6^th assessment report.

The finance opportunities are outlined in the High-Level Nationally Determined Contribution Financing Pathways for Tonga Report, which maps out previous, current, and potential ways to finance climate projects.

“The report will help Tonga to explore funding opportunities to fund the reduction of Tonga’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of climate change,” he said.

The report was developed with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Climate Promise initiative.

UNDP Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze also addressed the workshop virtually.

“As you are aware, access to finance plays a significant role in completing the pledge. I am sure that the financing pathways identified by this exercise, will help in securing finance to address Tonga’s enhanced NDC commitments”.

Around 40 stakeholders from the energy, transport, water and waste management, agriculture, fisheries, and forests, the National Planning Division, Ministry of Finance, National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Retirement Fund Board and the Tonga Development Bank attended the workshop.

The Report will be launched during the National Climate Change Awareness Week held in Tonga in September 2021.