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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
There is no one organization responsible for the atmosphere issues in Tonga, presently, responsibility is shared between the Ministries of: Lands, Survey and Natural Resources; Labor, Commerce and Industries; Health.
Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources is responsible for environmental impact assessments to ensure that development is environmentally sustainable;
The Ministry of Labor, Commerce and Industries is responsible for approving new licenses for industry and commerce; and
The Ministry of Health is involved if there appears to be a threat to the health of the population of Tonga.
The Inter Department Environment Committee (IDEC) was set up to coordinate activities pertaining to the environment. However, this committee was replaced by a ministerial committee, which has not met and is inactive. Thus, at present, there does not exist a mechanism whereby efforts to protect the atmophere are coordinated.
Government Ministries is the lowest level of public authority to which decision-making is delegated.
Decision-Making: Legislation
and Regulations
At present, there are no laws, regulations or directives to address the protection of the atmosphere in Tonga.
Decision-Making: Strategies,
Policies and Plans
Tonga has yet to develop strategies to incorporate international convention's concepts into domestic policies and programmes.
Decision-Making: Major
Groups involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
Whilst replanting and reforestation programmes have been pursued, these have been relatively small with limited success. Tonga does however have a small forest on the Island of 'Eua which could be regarded as a possible greenhouse sink.
Tonga works with National Tidal Facility, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. Data on the sea leve is collected and sent to Flinders University for assessment of the sea level rise. other than this, there is no local research institutes.
Status
A rise in the sea level could have significant implications for Tonga, especially the low-lying islands namely Ha'apai and Tongatapu. In the 1996 Census, the population of these islands were Ha'apai (8,138) and Tongatapu (66,979). Together, the two islands represent 76.8 per cent of Tonga's total population of 97,784. Thus, such a scenario will greatly impact the lives of the majority of the people in Tonga.
Tonga as a whole could be significantly affected by atmospheric pollution and climate change, as some of the Kingdom is low lying and would be susceptible to sea level rise. There are no mechanisms whereby parties can be compensated should they be adversely affected.
Challenges
Environmental issues are part of the syllabus at both primary and high school levels. The Environment Planning Unit used to run weekly radio programmes that inform and educate the Kingdom on environmental matters. Due to funding difficulties, these radio programmes have been discontinued.
There are no heavy industries in Tonga thus, air pollution is not perceived to be a problem. The only aspect that may be considered is air pollution dust, but this is to be expected with the majority of islands on Tonga being coral base. In addition, reducing greenhouse gas in Tonga does not appear to be one of the country's priority area in both overall policy and in the area of environment and resource management. Tonga is largely an agricultural economy.
There is lack of skill in developing terrestrial and marine resources for increasing green gas sinks in the country thus, difficult to undertake or pursue
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
Education syllabus promotes environmental awareness through poster, poetry and essay competitions. Whilst these competitions do not focus entirely on the effects of climate change, they do however, cover environmental issues in general and students select to study and write about topics of their own choice. In this way, a broad range of environmental issues is covered each year and to date, issues on climate change have been consistently featured.
Information
At present, Tonga does not have a World Wide Web Site. If the general public including the schools request further information relating to climate change, they approach the Environment Planning Unit in the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources for further details.
There are no fixed mechanisms whereby information is disseminated and shared at the national and international levels.
Research and Technologies
The only technology used in Tonga is the Tidal gauge, which measures sea level rise and contributes to this field. Data is collected by the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources and sent to Flinders University, Australia for assessment.
Financing
No information is available
Cooperation
The sea level monitoring stations throughout the Pacifics funded by Australia aims at gathering data to assess the sea level rise. UNDP has currently approved USD325,000 for Tonga to prepare its first national communication to the Conference of Parties of UNFCCC. This project involves establishing an inventory of greenhouse gases, assessment of potential impacts of climate change and its adverse effects, and the preparation of the first national communication.
Tonga has signed the following conventions: UNFCCC, Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal and Kyoto Protocols. Tonga has not yet worked towards full compliance with the above-mentioned protocols.
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This information was provided by the Government of Tonga to the 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: April 2001.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Decisions concerning energy issues are carried out by different bodies rather than a centralized one. However, the following reflects each and respective authority over different energy matters/issues, transportation, and atmosphere.
All matters and decisions regarding energy issues rest ultimately with the Privy Council and Cabinet. Policies and other energy issues that require political decisions are formulated at the Ministerial level at which the respective Ministry/Department assumes the responsibility to ensure that a resolution is reached.
Respective Departments/Ministries/Boards hold the necessary authority required for the effective and efficient management. However, authorities can be delegated to the lower level if deemed necessary. Privy Council and Cabinet also holds the privileges and prerogatives to delegate authority to official/no-official bodies as it sees fit. At the lowest level, a village committee has been delegated the authority to manage the technical and financial matters of solar lighting project funded by the EU and other donors. Therefore, the village committees remain accountable to the Energy Planning Unit (Ministry for Lands, Survey and Natural Resources).
Decision-Making: Legislation
and Regulations
Incentives are limited to duty exemptions for the following goods - oil for power generation, solar hardware for the remote islands provided Government orders the goods. In addition, oil prices for power generation is negotiated to ensure that price does not affect tariff. A set rate is charged to lower power consumers.
Decision-Making: Strategies,
Policies and Plans
Tonga does not have a national sustainable energy strategy.
All urban centers in the country have access to energy as well as all rural areas on the main islands of Tonga. However, the remote islands of Tonga do not have access to sustainable energy and this is the focus of this country's current sustainable energy strategy.
The national short-term strategic goals for developing rural areas are aimed at improving accessibility of rural low-income families to electricity through viable technology (renewable technology) which has minimal environmental damages. Priority areas include the outer islands of Ha'apai, Vava'u and the Niua's.
In the long run, energy supply for the rural areas should be self sufficient and sustainable. On the other hand, commercial activities (especially in the commercial centers) which are energy intensive will be focused on efficiency techniques and be driven by conservation principles. A balance of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption should be achieved.
Decision-Making: Major
Groups involvement
Private businesses are encouraged to participate in formulating and planning strategies for energy sector management. Village committees for solar lighting projects are required to include women as official members of the Committees. In addition, NGOs participate in planning and designing energy projects (solar lighting) for the remote islands.
Recent restructuring of the Utility involved the privatization of power production (Shoreline Ltd.). Private local electrical companies (i.e. private electrical companies include: Silapelu; Fonua; and Koli Moa) operate as distributors of hardware and appliances, including minor electrical tasks such as wiring. Rural households with stand-alone solar lighting systems are responsible for the care taking role while the overall management of the solar electrification programmes rests with the Energy Planning Unit.
The recent rapid development of the commercial sector and the growing demand for energy by the residential sector has had tremendous impact on the current consumption and has created serious implications on the capability of the supplier to meet future demands for power. In addition, the growing number of vehicles imported into Tonga during the past two years has also escalated the demand for petrol and other related services. At present, the transportation sector consumes more than 80% of the total petroleum imported annually. In terms of renewable energy, the growing number of stand-alone solar systems in the remote islands has reduced the demand and pressure for energy supply through conventional methods.
Programmes and Projects
Organizational structure of TEPB during 1998 was aimed at improving effectiveness and efficient delivery of energy services to customers' nation-wide. Investigations are carried out to determine the capacity required for expanding the current energy available to rural low-income households. Improving the accessibility of energy to rural households continues to be a national development priority.
Given the economic costs associated with supplying electricity to remote islands low-income families and constraints facing the Tonga Electric Power Board, donor assistance is necessary to finance capital costs in providing solar lighting to the remote islands of Tonga.
Rehabilitation of generators for power generation was carried out by the local utility to increase machinery efficiency.
Gas emission reduction programmes include:
Promotion of energy conservation include:
Status
Balance of energy sources available
Reticulated electricity (diesel generated) is available to 95% of Tongatapu household and commercial consumers and about 80% of the country's household. On the outer islands, a total of 578 photovoltaic systems (granted by bilateral aid programme) provide lighting only. A significant number use kerosene lanterns.
Energy trends during the past 5 years revealed a growing demand in the main commercial centers (Nuku'alofa, Pangai) for commercial based activities. Petroleum products for power generation jumped from 15% in 1994 to 19% in 1998. Fuel energy has increased immensely due to increasing import of vehicles and domestic/international flights.
Tonga is a small island nation, which relies heavily on imported petroleum products for developing its commercial activities, therefore, the country is highly sensitive to rising costs for oil and other petroleum products overseas. The recent (1st Quarter 2000) accelerated costs of oil (T$1.05/litre) have affected individual consumers (mainly vehicle owners) and the power tariff (now at T$0.34). Despite the lack of data which reflects the drop in petrol consumption, feedback from the gas stations indicated that the sale of diesel and gasoline have dropped dramatically.
In 1997, the electricity tariff dropped (from T$0.37/unit to T$0.27/unit) following the privatization of power generation and was supported by duty exemptions of diesel for power generation only. The power sales grew by more than 30% indicating that power consumption and accessibility has increased.
Challenges
The extensive environmental degradation visible is limited to land degradation from dumping of waste oil, growing air pollution caused by increasing traffic congestion and power generation, waste land created as a result of clearing trees for agricultural purposes limiting the future supply of fuel wood.
Institutional barriers remain ultimately with the lack of coordination due to various authority held, this includes:
Major challenges which meets the financial requirements for implementation of environment-friendly energy policies and strategies include the provision of appropriate incentives for the private businesses to participate actively. Renewable energy technology equipment, which is imported into Tonga should be exempted from high duty and taxes. Presently, only government purchase are duty and tax exempt.
Capacity-building, Education, Training
and Awareness-raising
Measures taken to promote public awareness of energy-environment related issues were focused on the following areas:
Curriculum development for primary/secondary schools focused on activities which encourage students to explore different sources of energy, its uses and the environmental impact of energy activities. An economic and technological dimension is taken into account in the activity designs but a large part of the energy curriculum was designed to encourage the creativity of individual students. Furthermore, art competitions were aimed at revealing the students' impression of energy in relation to his/her interpretations of the environment.
Major training programmes were initiated by the Pacific Regional Energy Programme (PREP) which was funded by the EU and aimed at strengthening the capability of the energy sector in the region by developing the skills and knowledge of human resources. Member countries were provided with fund to execute its own prioritized national training programmes while the Forum Secretariat Energy Division implemented regional workshops for energy statisticians, technicians, drivers, etc. Target groups for the national training programme were operators of small stand alone diesel generators, island solar technicians, service providers for refrigerators and air conditions. etc. A number of workshops were designed for women only which covered conservation measures for running electrical appliances, cooking, driving, etc.
Consumer education programmes include media campaigns, training/workshops for government officials, private sector (business owners, technicians, and operators), at village levels (women community development groups), and primary/secondary schools.
Information
Energy information is commonly disseminated through submission reports, proposals, presentations at meetings/workshops/training, et. The Energy Planning Unit (EPU) submits reports to regional organizations (SOPAC. APC, etc) at regional meetings, and to Donors at the completion of projects, all of which are available to Forum members countries and the Donor community. Specifically, the EPU presents country reports at regional meetings, workshops and local training programme in the Pacific, Asia and occasionally Europe.
Furthermore, the TEPB management submits annually a report to the Board of Directors of which is also available to the public. TEPB also submits report to ADB with which it collaborates to ensure that the Utility has the capability and capacity to meet the growing power demand.
Energy information available to the public is limited to news reports, energy consumer guides, radio programmes, and TV documentaries.
Research and Technologies
Progress to date has accelerated with the utilization of solar energy for hot water heating and lighting in the remote islands (now 578 systems installed and 300 planned for 2001 at Ha'apai), research activities for wind potential and biomass resource assessment. Biomass continues to remain a household furl for cooking in the remote islands and has continued to decline due to the widespread availability and convenience of gas cookers. Nuclear energy is not an option for Tonga given environmental risks associated with this technology.
The abundant sunshine in Tonga confirms the need to harness the indigenous energy sources. However, risks associated with harnessing solar, wind and wave energy is rather limited. Clearing of trees for farming purposes in certain areas has reduced the potential supply of fuel wood and contributed to soil erosion.
No new technology has been developed in Tonga. However, the country is open to try and demonstrate technologies that have been proven.
In addition, there is no new transportation mode which is being devised or implemented in Tonga with a view to improve fuel efficiency. However, promotion of fuel efficiency is a continuous programme.
Financing
Local public fund is restricted to staff salary, office equipment (photocopiers, some computers), supply of office space and stationeries. Private electrical companies are financed initially by Banks (Tonga Development Bank) through loans.
Funding for efforts to raise awareness of remote islanders, through regional workshops, to identify alternative financial source required for the capital costs incurred in providing solar energy to these islands, rather than their reliance on donor assistance. In addition to this, there has been an attempt to improve dialogue with financial institutions such a the commercial Banks as a possible alternative source of finance to donor funds. However, there is still a heavy reliance on donor assistance to finance solar projects to the outer island of Tonga.
Cooperation
Promotion of international transfer of knowledge are commonly made through sharing information with international/regional organizations with common work goals. Local experts are attached with international/regional organizations for training purposes and during which professional experiences with technology are shared and developed. Furthermore, projects are proposed for regional cooperation/effort with the aim to trial/demonstrate and transfer technology to participating agencies.
Some projects are funded under bilateral programme by New Zealand, Australia, France, UN, EU, etc. and multilateral cooperation. The Pacific Island for Climate Change Assistance Programme, PICCCAP, is a classic example of a coordinated effort in the region to respond to climate change issues.
PICCAP is a 3 year regional project currently being implemented by SPREP for 10 Pacific Island countries as a response to UNFCC. The project aims at member countries meeting their reporting requirement under the Convention. IN addition to PICCAP, Pacific Regional Energy Assessment 2001 Project (PREA 2001) has been proposed by SPREP to assess the barriers (technical, financial, institutional, etc.) for sustainable development or renewable energy initiatives in the Pacific. Furthermore, UNDP has approved USD325,000 funding for Tonga to prepare its first national communication to the Conference of Parties of the UNFCC. The project involves establishing an inventory of greenhouse gases, assessment of potential impact of climate change in Tonga, preparation of national action plan to address climate change and its adverse effects, and the preparation of the first national communication. There are initiatives in other sectors for infrastructural development such as roads, health, transportation, etc, which directly impact the sector.
There are no programmes to provide alternatives to unsustainable energy sources to urban centers. For rural areas, this is pursued through solar electrification of the remote islands financed by donor community (EU, NZ, Australia, France, and JICA) through regional and bilateral aid programme. These electrification projects have provided lighting for remote islands and a solar refrigerator for Niua Fo'ou.
A large fund for energy projects (about 80%) originates from Donor aid programme, especially ADB for power development and rural electrification (solar projects) and energy conservation, institutional strengthening projects supported by EU, Governments of France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Forum Secretariat, SOPA, SPC, UNDP, SPREP, and UNESCO.
Tonga is party to regional agreement by the South Pacific Forum and Secretariat to the South Pacific (SPC) under which regional organizations exists specifically SOPAC and SPREP. Tonga signed the UN Convention for Climate Change.
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This information was provided by the Government of Tonga to the 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: April 2001.
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