Tonga's Second Nationally Determined Contribution (2020)

Tonga's Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted targets for mitigation of 13% (16 Gg) reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 compared to 2006 through a transition to 70% renewable electricity, as well as energy efficiency measures. It also targets the establishment of a forest inventory as prerequisite to identify a GHG emission target for the 2025 NDC and planting one million trees by 2023. It also aims to expand the formal waste collection system as prerequisite to identifying a GHG emission target for the 2025 NDC. Adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change within this NDC focusses on coping with the impacts of an increase in temperature and a rise in sea level. In the context of adaptation, the Government of Tonga has set three targets: (1) 30% of land in Tonga utilized for agro-forestry or forestry by 2025, (2) Prevent any permanent loss of land to rising sea levels on Tonga’s four main islands (i.e. Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u, and ‘Eua), and (3) Maintenance of the existing stocks of fish and other marine species through a commitment to expand the area covered by Marine Protected Areas and Special Management Areas to 30% of the Tonga’s Exclusive Economic Zone.