Tonga has praised the Pacific Climate Change Centre’s efforts to enhance inclusive, community-driven climate resilience.
From 14 to 17 April 2025, the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), conducted a mission in Tonga focusing on knowledge brokerage and climate resilience initiatives.
A key component was the National Knowledge Brokerage Workshop, aimed at improving the communication and application of climate information. Sione Akauola, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), stated:
“The National Knowledge Brokerage Workshop has given us a valuable reminder of the importance of effective communication of all climate actors.”
He further expressed hope that the workshop would lead to a framework ensuring climate knowledge is effectively utilised in decision-making from MEIDECC to the grassroots level.
The mission also included consultations on the Sia Heu Lupe / Popua Peninsula Integrated Climate Resilience, Restoration & Rehabilitation Master Plan (CR3MP), aiming to protect significant archaeological heritage sites from climate impacts.
Additionally, discussions were held with the private sector regarding the PCCC-JICA Project on Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Resilience in the Pacific (ISPCCR), promoting innovative approaches to climate resilience.
Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Brek Batley, commended the initiatives, highlighting the importance of knowledge brokers in building partnerships and ensuring decision-makers have access to robust, practical information.
The mission was jointly funded by the Australian Government through the DFAT-PCCC Project, the University of Melbourne, and the PCCC-JICA Project, reflecting a collaborative effort to strengthen climate resilience in Tonga.
