Project Background

Target Communities & Issues Addressed The project addresses critical societal and ecosystem challenges in four coastal communities in Tongatapu: Ha'atafu, Kanokupolu, 'Ahau, and Kolovai. These communities face increasing coastal erosion, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and heightened disaster risks driven by climate change—including rising sea levels, storm surges, and intense coastal storms. While local residents have previously planted small numbers of coastal trees to safeguard their shores and agricultural plantations, these initial efforts are insufficient to withstand intensifying weather events. Need & UrgencyCoastal Protection: Coastal trees require significant time to mature before providing effective shoreline stabilization and flood mitigation. Urgent action is necessary to protect local agricultural plantations and coastal land. Cultural Preservation: Traditional, medicinal, and ornamental terrestrial trees—such as heilala, pipi, and ahi—are becoming increasingly rare in local communities. Community Demand: Pre-project consultations with local Town Officers and women's group leaders strongly affirmed the community demand and urgency for both coastal protection and cultural tree restoration. Primary PurposeThis initiative is a community-led climate mitigation and adaptation program under the Tonga Climate Change Fund (TCCF). It aims to build long-term resilience by expanding coastal protection barriers, restoring endangered cultural trees, sequestering carbon, and empowering local communities to manage and maintain their ecosystem rehabilitation efforts.