Exploring ways to address the impacts of climate change in Tonga, the Island Kingdom has focussed its lens on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). To enhance its ability to do so, stakeholders came together to review and validate its national policies on forestry and coastal resilience sectors.
A workshop was held to review and validate the findings of a national policy assessment to determine how NbS was factored in forestry and coastal resilience in Tonga. It brought together government ministries, technical agencies, civil society representatives, and regional partners to review the assessment which spanned how existing policies, legislation, and plans currently address or overlook NbS in forestry and coastal resilience.
NbS are actions that protect, restore and sustainably manage natural ecosystems benefit both our biodiversity, and our people. Mangrove planting for coastal protection and reforestation to help mitigate climate impacts and habitats for wildlife are just some examples of the NbS work that Tonga is undertaking.
"Our goal is to ensure that by 2026, Nature-based Solutions are increasingly integrated into national frameworks, laws, and policies,” said Ms Utulei Lui the Promoting Pacific Island Nature-based Solutions (PPIN) Project Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“This workshop is a vital platform for collective reflection and validation, helping us ensure that the final assessment reflects Tonga’s national priorities and institutional realities."
Through this workshop, participants refined recommendations, strengthened cross-sector coherence helping to support a more enabling environment for NbS implementation across the Kingdom.
In Tonga, PPIN focuses particularly on mainstreaming nature-based solutions into national policy frameworks. This activity focuses on forestry and coastal protection, sectors that are critical to environmental health, community livelihoods, and long-term climate resilience.
During the workshop Teulava Consultants presented the draft policy review findings, after which participants engaged in detailed clarification sessions and sector-specific breakout discussions. Dialogue centred on identifying policy gaps, assessing opportunities for NbS inclusion, and confirming the accuracy and relevance of the assessment’s evidence base.
“The Tonga National Forest Policy is a living document, so a mechanism should be established to periodically reviewed this policy and to ensure that stakeholders are involved in the process,” said Mr. Heimuli Likiafu, Director of Forestry, Tonga. stated that.
“It is ideal for the Tonga National Forest Policy to be revised, , ensuring that some of the Codes of Harvesting Practices are more culturally appropriate for implementation along the lines of nature-based solutions.”
The workshop also placed strong emphasis on turning validated findings into actionable steps. Stakeholders jointly identified next steps for refining the assessment, including follow-up actions, data needs, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Next steps will focus on finalising the updated policy assessment and preparing a practical roadmap for integrating NbS into national planning processes. The final report will guide efforts to strengthen coordination between agencies, ensure policy alignment, and embed ecosystem-based approaches across national strategies.
The Stakeholder Workshop for the National Policy Frameworks Assessment for NbS for Coastal Resilience and Forestry Sectors was held in Tonga on 13 November 2025 supported by the PPIN Project, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Resilient Ecosystems for Climate Change Adaptation initiative. It is jointly implemented by SPREP, International Union for the Conservation of Nature Oceania, Global Green Growth Initiative, and The Pacific Community.
For more information contact: Ms. Utulei Lui (Project Coordinator PPIN Project) – [email protected]