The Tongan government revisited a proposal to bring millions of dollars to the nation to help its battle to reduce threatening impacts of climate change in the kingdom.
This had been discussed in a workshop in Nuku’aofa this week which was conducted by Mr. Yusuke Taishi and Mr. Kevin Petrini from UNDP.
Known as the National Appraisal Workshop on Tonga Coastal Adaptation Project Proposal, organisers said they were applying to get the money from the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund.
The proposal will be submitted in April.
The Minister of Climate Change Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni told the workshop Tonga wanted US$50 million “to help the vulnerable communities to better manage their natural environment through coastal protection measures, sedimentation management, environment based adaptation coastal management and capacity building”.
Hon Sovaleni said previous studies had identified highly vulnerable communities in Tonga where coastal erosion, flooding, inundation and coastal water problems needed urgent actions.
The Deputy Prime Minister said: “Tonga is at the frontline to experience further devastating impacts of climate change but the country seeks to reduce the risks and to build capacity and resilience.
“The project proposal if successful will yield resources towards addressing the aforementioned vulnerabilities at the same time help build the community’s resilience to climate change impacts and climate related events.
“It is our duty to look for solutions and find a way we can use to minimize the effects of climate change in the communities that vulnerable.”
The workshop was also attended by district and town officers, NGOs, Civil Society Forum and representatives from the communities.
The half-a-day workshop was facilitated and co-hosted by the UNDP and the Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC.
