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Scoop
03-07-2025
- Scoop
Vava'u Leads The Way: Tonga's Bold Step Toward A Sustainable Blue Future
Vava'u, a small but nature's beautifully crafted island in the Kingdom of Tonga, is a place of breathtaking beauty. As you stand at the top of the hill of Vava'u's Mt Talau, the vibrant hues of the water stretch out before you, a mesmerising blend of blues and greens. This serene landscape, however, is under threat from the relentless march of climate change. The Government of Tonga recently launched Phase II of the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project in Vava'u, a milestone initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), underscoring Tonga's strategic commitment to integrated environmental management and sustainable development. The launch, which coincided with the global momentum of the third UN Ocean Conference, positions Tonga as a Pacific leader in aligning local action with international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's Ocean Decade. Community at the Heart of Conservation Sailing through the Vaipua Channel over the deep blue waters observing Marine Protected Areas near Lualoli, Maninita, and Taula, and exploring eco-tourism and reef restoration opportunities around Taoa Village – these sites exemplify the project's emphasis on community-led conservation, traditional knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods. The project's focus on restoring marine and terrestrial ecosystems, particularly through community-led conservation efforts and the promotion of Marine Protected Areas, enhances Vava'u's appeal as a destination for environmentally conscious travelers. Vava'u also stands as a cornerstone of Tonga's tourism sector, blending natural beauty with sustainable development initiatives that highlight the island group's ecological and cultural richness. The launch marked a crucial moment in the Tonga's journey toward sustainable development and climate resilience addressing challenges and vulnerabilities while reflecting resilience, wisdom, and agency of Tonga's people, who have been stewards of their natural resources for generations. 'When the launch came to Vava'u, it felt like the world was finally seeing what we've always known – that our land and ocean are sacred,' says Siu Latu, 57, a housewife and women's group representative from Vaipua. 'We feel a deep sense of ownership and hope, not just for today but for our children's future. This hope is embodied in the launch of Phase II of Tonga's Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project with the aim to protect and restore the island's ecosystems – from its forested ridges to its coral reefs – while improving the lives of the 15,000 people who call Vava'u home. Having spent four days in Vava'u witnessing firsthand the landscapes of the project that aims to protect rich hillsides, reefs and mangrove lined shores, the signs of change were subtle but real. Standing on the bridge of the Vaipua channel, watching children and community members splash in the shallows to mid-deep blue and green waters – it intrigues to know that with the success of the project, these same children will grow up with cleaner water, stronger reefs, and more secure livelihoods. That hope is what this initiative is planting – quietly, steadily, like the mangroves along the shore connecting the land and sea – just as the project connects different parts of the ecosystem and the communities. The initiative is more than an environmental program – it's a lifeline. Implemented by Tonga's Department of Environment, the project integrates land, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems into a single management framework. It tackles the root causes of degradation – deforestation, poor land use, and unregulated coastal development while delivering tangible benefits: clean drinking water, food security, and protection from floods. But the real story lies in the people. Hopoate Latu, 58, a local farmer and youth leader, sees the project as a turning point. 'This will create opportunities for our youth, empower women in traditional weaving and handicrafts, and ensure sustainable fishing. Vaipua will become a model for Vava'u – blessed with bountiful marine life and agriculture farming.' Siosiua Fehoko, 38, says for majority women in the Vaipua channel, their source of income comes from fishing and by implementing the Ridge to Reef project, there are providing for their families. He said: 'By implementing what is required through this project, our means of support like plantation family, traditional weaving, and fishing are protected – for the future of our children.' A Living Connection Between Land and Sea The project's inception began with a three-day field visit to the Vaipua Channel, where stakeholders explored Marine Protected Areas and eco-tourism opportunities. Standing on the bridge overlooking the channel, children splashed in the shallows, their laughter echoing across the water. It's easy to imagine a future where these same children grow up with cleaner water, stronger reefs, and more secure livelihoods. Meleane Latu, 22, grew up in these villages. 'The ocean paid for our education,' she said. 'Now, we must protect it. Youth need to be educated on conservation so we can invest in our families' futures.' Siosiua Fehoko, 38, said: 'Fishing, weaving, farming – they are our lifelines. By following the project's guidance, we're protecting them for our children.' This approach not only strengthens ecological resilience but also supports Tonga's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Reviving Fangauta Lagoon A key highlight was the strategic focus on Fangauta Lagoon, a vital urban ecosystem under pressure from sedimentation and pollution. To breathe life back into the critical waterway, the project will pilot a series of nature-based interventions including mangrove restoration, sustainable land-use practices, and targeted dredging to improve water flow and biodiversity. These efforts aim to restore critical habitats, improve water quality, and unlock eco-tourism and fisheries potential – while complementing existing community initiatives and national biodiversity strategies. These efforts are not just about ecological repair – they are about unlocking new opportunities. Shaping a Legacy Tonga's Ridge to Reef Phase II is more than a local initiative – it's a powerful voice from the Pacific in the global conversation on ocean governance. At the recent UN Ocean Conference, the urgent need to support Small Island Developing States like Tonga was clear: through targeted funding, knowledge sharing, and nature-based solutions, these nations can lead the way in protecting our planet's blue heart. The project exemplifies the Pacific's call for Blue Pacific Continent stewardship – where ocean health, climate action, and sustainable development are inseparable. With Phase II now underway, Tonga is not only restoring ecosystems but also reaffirming its role as a custodian of the ocean. As the sun sets over Vava'u, casting a golden glow over the land and sea, children playing by the water echo along the shores. Their laughter is more than joy. It's a call to action. This isn't just about reefs or ridges – it's about safeguarding a legacy. It's about ensuring that tomorrow's generation inherits not just land and sea, but the stories, the strength, and the spirit of a people who choose to protect what they love. In the quiet rhythm of waves and the whisper of mangroves, Tonga is writing a new chapter – one of resilience, unity, and hope.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
A Pacific Call To Action On World Environment And Oceans Day
Press Release – UNDP Plastic waste is choking our oceans, harming biodiversity, contaminating food chains, and undermining livelihoods. In the Pacific, where the ocean is both a source of sustenance and spiritual identity, the cost is deeply personal. 06 June 2025 As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June and World Oceans Day on 8 June, Pacific Island nations are sounding the alarm. This year's World Environment Day theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution', is a timely and urgent call to action – our region, home to one of the largest ocean territories on Earth, is on the frontlines of a crisis we didn't cause – plastic pollution. Yet we are also at the forefront of pioneering solutions. Plastic waste is choking our oceans, harming biodiversity, contaminating food chains, and undermining livelihoods. In the Pacific, where the ocean is both a source of sustenance and spiritual identity, the cost is deeply personal. In his remarks at the ministerial breakfast of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution in Colombia in 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of the crisis: 'Each year, humanity produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic. Half of it is designed for single-use purposes – used once and tossed away. By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. And so, it is clear that we need action, and fortunately, people are now demanding it.' UNDP Pacific Office: Leading the Charge The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji has long recognised the scale of this challenge and is actively supporting Pacific Island nations in their efforts to reduce plastic waste and transition towards a circular economy. Through regional partnerships and community-led innovation, UNDP is helping to build systems that not only manage waste but prevent it at the source. In Fiji, with local innovators, we are are turning the tide. A trash boom system, launched in 2024 and manufactured locally by BioEnergy Insight Pacific, now traps plastic waste in urban waterways before it reaches fragile coastal ecosystems. Early trials intercepted over hundreds of kilograms of plastic in just six weeks, proving that small-scale innovation can deliver scalable results. To mark World Environment and Oceans Day this year, Fiji's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change conducted a clean-up campaign along the Suva Foreshore and Nukubuco Sandbank where 1.5 tonnes of rubbish was collected. In Tonga, the Ridge to Reef (R2R) initiative takes a holistic approach to protecting marine ecosystems by addressing pollution at its source – from land to sea. By integrating sustainable land use, watershed management, and coastal conservation, the project not only strengthens biodiversity but also helps reduce the flow of plastics and other waste into the ocean. This is how Pacific nations are linking climate resilience, food security, and environmental protection into one unified response. In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, new laws and community-run recycling enterprises are cutting waste and generating income for women and youth. These aren't just pilot projects – they are proof points that locally driven solutions work. From Policy to Practice UNDP's work extends beyond clean-up campaigns. It supports governments in developing and enforcing legislation that bans or restricts single-use plastics, promotes extended producer responsibility, and encourages the adoption of sustainable alternatives. These efforts are creating a ripple effect of change that aligns with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. By working closely with local leaders, youth groups, and women's organisations, UNDP ensures that solutions are locally driven and culturally grounded. Protecting Oceans, Preserving Futures Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue – it is a development issue. It affects fisheries, tourism, and public health. It threatens the Pacific's over US$3.2 billion fisheries sector, US$3.8 billion tourism industry, and human health. Microplastics have already been found in over 80 percent of fish species tested in some Pacific waters, raising serious concerns about food security. That is why UNDP's work on plastic pollution is integrated with broader efforts on climate resilience, marine biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives such as ridge-to-reef conservation programmes and the Blue Economy Accelerator Lab are helping Pacific nations protect their natural capital while building economic resilience. Looking Ahead: A Pacific Vision for a Plastic-Free Future As the world rallies to end plastic pollution, the Pacific is not merely a victim – it is a leader. The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is committed to scaling up support for innovative, inclusive, and impactful solutions. This includes expanding access to climate and environmental finance, supporting regional cooperation, and investing in circular economy models that turn waste into opportunity. Future efforts will also focus on strengthening data systems to track plastic flows, supporting local enterprises that produce biodegradable alternatives, and fostering South-South cooperation to share best practices across island nations. UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji has pledged to set its own ambitious plastics reduction targets. By aligning its operations with the Pacific's sustainability goals, UNDP aims to contribute meaningful progress to the fight against plastic pollution. A Shared Responsibility As the world negotiates a Global Plastics Treaty, Pacific voices must be central. We are not passive bystanders – we are active leaders in rethinking how the world produces, consumes, and disposes of plastic. This World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, the Pacific calls on the global community to act with urgency and unity. Governments, industries, and citizens all have a role to play.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
A Pacific Call To Action On World Environment And Oceans Day
06 June 2025 As we mark World Environment Day on 5 June and World Oceans Day on 8 June, Pacific Island nations are sounding the alarm. This year's World Environment Day theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution', is a timely and urgent call to action - our region, home to one of the largest ocean territories on Earth, is on the frontlines of a crisis we didn't cause - plastic pollution. Yet we are also at the forefront of pioneering solutions. Plastic waste is choking our oceans, harming biodiversity, contaminating food chains, and undermining livelihoods. In the Pacific, where the ocean is both a source of sustenance and spiritual identity, the cost is deeply personal. In his remarks at the ministerial breakfast of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution in Colombia in 2024, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the urgency of the crisis: 'Each year, humanity produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic. Half of it is designed for single-use purposes – used once and tossed away. By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. And so, it is clear that we need action, and fortunately, people are now demanding it.' UNDP Pacific Office: Leading the Charge The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji has long recognised the scale of this challenge and is actively supporting Pacific Island nations in their efforts to reduce plastic waste and transition towards a circular economy. Through regional partnerships and community-led innovation, UNDP is helping to build systems that not only manage waste but prevent it at the source. In Fiji, with local innovators, we are are turning the tide. A trash boom system, launched in 2024 and manufactured locally by BioEnergy Insight Pacific, now traps plastic waste in urban waterways before it reaches fragile coastal ecosystems. Early trials intercepted over hundreds of kilograms of plastic in just six weeks, proving that small-scale innovation can deliver scalable results. To mark World Environment and Oceans Day this year, Fiji's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change conducted a clean-up campaign along the Suva Foreshore and Nukubuco Sandbank where 1.5 tonnes of rubbish was collected. In Tonga, the Ridge to Reef (R2R) initiative takes a holistic approach to protecting marine ecosystems by addressing pollution at its source - from land to sea. By integrating sustainable land use, watershed management, and coastal conservation, the project not only strengthens biodiversity but also helps reduce the flow of plastics and other waste into the ocean. This is how Pacific nations are linking climate resilience, food security, and environmental protection into one unified response. In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, new laws and community-run recycling enterprises are cutting waste and generating income for women and youth. These aren't just pilot projects – they are proof points that locally driven solutions work. From Policy to Practice UNDP's work extends beyond clean-up campaigns. It supports governments in developing and enforcing legislation that bans or restricts single-use plastics, promotes extended producer responsibility, and encourages the adoption of sustainable alternatives. These efforts are creating a ripple effect of change that aligns with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. By working closely with local leaders, youth groups, and women's organisations, UNDP ensures that solutions are locally driven and culturally grounded. Protecting Oceans, Preserving Futures Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue – it is a development issue. It affects fisheries, tourism, and public health. It threatens the Pacific's over US$3.2 billion fisheries sector, US$3.8 billion tourism industry, and human health. Microplastics have already been found in over 80 percent of fish species tested in some Pacific waters, raising serious concerns about food security. That is why UNDP's work on plastic pollution is integrated with broader efforts on climate resilience, marine biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives such as ridge-to-reef conservation programmes and the Blue Economy Accelerator Lab are helping Pacific nations protect their natural capital while building economic resilience. Looking Ahead: A Pacific Vision for a Plastic-Free Future As the world rallies to end plastic pollution, the Pacific is not merely a victim – it is a leader. The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is committed to scaling up support for innovative, inclusive, and impactful solutions. This includes expanding access to climate and environmental finance, supporting regional cooperation, and investing in circular economy models that turn waste into opportunity. Future efforts will also focus on strengthening data systems to track plastic flows, supporting local enterprises that produce biodegradable alternatives, and fostering South-South cooperation to share best practices across island nations. UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji has pledged to set its own ambitious plastics reduction targets. By aligning its operations with the Pacific's sustainability goals, UNDP aims to contribute meaningful progress to the fight against plastic pollution. A Shared Responsibility As the world negotiates a Global Plastics Treaty, Pacific voices must be central. We are not passive bystanders - we are active leaders in rethinking how the world produces, consumes, and disposes of plastic. This World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, the Pacific calls on the global community to act with urgency and unity. Governments, industries, and citizens all have a role to play.
