This assessment examines Tonga’s national policy, planning and legislative frameworks for Nature-based Solutions, with a focus on coastal resilience and the forestry sector. It reviews how ecosystem protection, restoration, climate resilience, community stewardship, ridge-to-reef planning, institutional coordination, financing and implementation readiness are reflected across Tonga’s key national and sectoral instruments.
The report finds that Tonga has a strong enabling foundation for Nature-based Solutions, particularly through frameworks such as the Climate Change Policy, National Forest Policy, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Special Management Area Strategy, National Coastal Fisheries Plan and Tonga Ocean Management Plan. These instruments provide important entry points for strengthening ecosystem-based adaptation, mangrove and forest restoration, community-based fisheries management, sustainable forestry and integrated land-sea planning.
The assessment also identifies areas requiring further attention, including updating outdated sector policies, strengthening environmental enforcement, improving coordination across agencies, clarifying land-use planning and zoning, addressing land-tenure challenges, and embedding clearer NbS indicators, financing mechanisms and green-grey infrastructure approaches into national systems.
Overall, the report provides a practical roadmap for mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions into Tonga’s coastal, forestry, climate, biodiversity, fisheries, infrastructure and land-use policy frameworks. It supports future policy reform, investment planning and coordinated implementation to strengthen Tonga’s climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development outcomes.
