SCP Context
National SCP context and Connection to the Global Agenda: resilient ecosystems and blue economy
The Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF II) 2015 - 2025 underscores an approach to sustainable and inclusive growth aligned with the 2030 Agenda, the SAMOA Pathway, the Addis Ababa Agreement, the Sendai Framework, and others. [1] In 2019, Tonga launched its first Voluntary National Review, which mentioned SDG 12 in terms of more inclusive, sustainable, and effective land and environment management, as well as resilience to climate and risk. The country is a signatory to hazardous waste and other chemicals management according to the Basel Convention, Montreal Protocol, Rotterdam Convention, and Stockholm Convention.[2] In 2024, the country adopted the Tonga Single-Use Plastics Roadmap to improve plastic circularity.[3] Additionally, Tonga launched the Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016 - 2024, which is a framework for increasing sustainable shared benefits for the Kingdom from the optimal use of its living marine resources. [4] Aligning with the Biodiversity Convention, Tonga is further considering opportunities to integrate Nature-based Solutions to address climate change.
Challenges
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have reached a critical level in Tonga due to poor physical activity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of tobacco control.2
- The challenge lies in strengthening collaboration among government ministries and with civil society stakeholders. Limited staffing and institutional capacities within Tonga's central and coordinating arms of government and line ministries exacerbate this situation.2
- The food system is challenged by low agricultural production and the depletion of many essential food fishery resources.2
- The marine environment faces the loss of a high proportion of Tonga’s coral reefs due to a combination of rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing, exploration for deep-sea minerals, and pollution.4
- Fisheries production continues to fluctuate due to changes in policy, resource depletion, and climate change affecting the distribution of tuna. Other factors include market access, unstable prices, funding shortages, and increasing population and demand.4
- Invasive species, affecting already fragile natural ecosystems, are becoming of great concern, impacting local resilience and food production
Priority sectors
- Tonga's economy relies heavily on remittances and donor grants, with agriculture and tourism as its main exports, posing sustainability risks.[5]
- Foreign investment can improve access to finance and create new opportunities, particularly in tourism and potentially in the future extraction of seabed minerals.1
- Developing niche markets in key agricultural products, mariculture, and sustainable fishing practices.1
- Improving the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure to promote economic growth.1
Opportunities
- Promoting and enhancing the food supply chain to reduce diseases, encouraging behavioral changes for better health, and supporting local production.
- Integrate Nature-based Solutions that align with both traditional knowledge, modern science and adequate technologies.
- Strengthening collaboration among government ministries and civil society stakeholders in key sectors.
- Enhancing the blue economy to promote the sustainable use of ocean resources, reduce marine pollution, and support responsible consumption and production.
- Expanding circular economy practices to other sectors while enhancing their effectiveness in the plastics roadmap.3
- Expanding the formal waste collection system to improve transparency and clarity regarding the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate GHG emissions from waste.[6]
[1] Government of Tonga. (2015). Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF II) 2015 - 2025
[2] Government of Tonga. (2019). Voluntary National Review 2019
[3] SPREP. (2024). Tonga Single-use Plastics Roadmap
[4] Government of Tonga. (2016). Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016 - 2024
[5] Government of Tonga. (2020). Tonga – Green Climate Fund Country Programme
[6] Government of Tonga. (2020). Tonga's Second NDC
