On 11 November \u00a02021, the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) on behalf of the Government of Tonga, submitted Tonga\u2019s Low Emission Development Strategy 2021 \u2013 2050 (LT-LEDS) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. This follows the approval of the LT-LEDS by the Cabinet on the 5 November 2021.
\nIn accordance with Article 4, paragraph 19, countries are invited to formulate and communicate a \u2018long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy\u2019 and to do so by 2020 but countries must determine what suits them best in terms of both content and process. LT-LEDS, although not mandatory, provide the long-term horizon for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are 5-year cycle pledges to achieve the ambitious long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. As a party to the Paris Agreement, Tonga is committed to coordinating processes for its LT-LEDS and future NDCs, with the aim of creating alignment between long- and short-term actions.
\nTonga\u2019s Low Emission Development Strategy 2021 \u2013 2050 (Tonga LEDS) presents a vision for 2050 of \u2018A low emissions Tonga, where all sectors work together to create resilience, autonomy & self-reliance.\u2019 Tonga\u2019s LEDS was developed through a series of facilitated strategic dialogues with key Tongan stakeholders from government line ministries, public enterprises, non-government organizations (NGOs), youth groups, faith-based organizations and companies from the private sector.
\nDespite Tonga\u2019s negligible greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Tonga still willingly plays its part in reducing its domestic GHG emissions, supporting the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement through Tonga\u2019s LEDS and also through Tonga\u2019s Second NDC, which was submitted to the UNFCCC in December 2020. Tonga\u2019s submission of its LEDS during the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC or COP26, reaffirms Tonga\u2019s commitment to accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.
\nPrior to the submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat, Tonga\u2019s LEDS was recently showcased during the Global Green Growth Week 2021 (25th \u2013 27th October) by Ms. Akesiu Fifita from the Department of Climate Change, who presented during the Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development in the Pacific session. At the virtual event, Ms. Fifita shared Tonga\u2019s experiences and lessons learnt in developing its LEDS.<\/p>\n
The development of Tonga\u2019s LEDS was kindly funded by New Zealand\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) with technical assistance and support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), ClimateWorks Australia and Relative Creative. The Department of Climate Change extends its gratitude to everyone that contributed to the development of Tonga\u2019s LEDS.<\/p>\n