The time for critical action on climate change is now, Tonga's Speaker Lord Fakafanua said during an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Egypt, during the 27th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP 27).

"Tonga, one of the lowest polluting nations in the world, has pledged to accelerate its efforts to transition to 100% renewable energy sources by 2040, and urged developed nations who are the biggest emitters to do the same."

He said that Tonga’s commitment to addressing the urgency of the climate crisis is reflected by the Tongan Government stepping up its targets under RAPID to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2025, in addition to being the first nation to sign the Blue Planet Alliance, which targets achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2045. 

Parliament;s Office stated that Lord Fakafanua also urged parliamentarians to make similar commitments and to hold their governments accountable for their duties, particularly through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and for honoring financial pledges made at previous COPs for supporting developing nations’ climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Affirmed commitment

An outcome statement document adopted at this meeting affirmed parliamentarians' commitment to global efforts to address climate change, which poses an existential threat to the planet. 

The document underlined the need to work within parliaments to adopt laws and legislation that support mitigating the effects of climate change, strengthen the capacities of institutions in the field of climate-related risk analysis, and enhance the support provided to countries and local communities to face climate challenges. 

Lord Fakafanua also held bilateral talks with the President of the IPU, Mr. Duarte Pacheco regarding Tonga’s membership and how the IPU can continue to support the work of the Legislative Assembly. 

King Tupou VI was the Head of Tonga’s Delegation at CP27. Also attending, was Tonga's Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

The Speaker's participation at COP 27 was fully funded by UNDP’s Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative. He was accompanied by Legislative Counsel, Silivia ‘Atiola.