Coastal protection projects opened in Tonga and Marshall Islands
Discussion details
Coastal protection projects in Tonga and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), aimed to address the progressive effects of coastal erosion and sea level rise, were completed and formally opened on 13 October and 3 November 2015 respectively.
These climate change adaptation interventions are part of the Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States initiative, supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
The interventions consist of a combination of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ engineering methods. In Tonga a combination of semi-permeable groynes and offshore breakwaters were combined with beach nourishment and coastal planting in front of the low lying coastal communities of Makauna, Talafo’ou and Manuka in eastern Tongatapu. While in RMI a rock causeway was built to strengthen the vulnerable and narrow road link between the two parts of Woja Island in Ailinglaplap Atoll, combined with coastal planting in areas adjacent to the causeway.
Speaking at the launch of the Tonga project, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Akilisi Pohiva thanked the EU and SPC for their support. He further commented: “The Government of Tonga has demonstrated leadership throughout the planning and installation phases of this project and as a result, Tonga’s vision for protecting this coastline has become a reality.”
The Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva, unveiling a plaque commemorating the completion of the Coastal Protection Mea
“This project serves a model for the future of our nation in planning and implementing successful coastal protection projects. These good practices include the project’s extensive design phase, widespread consultation with the local communities, implementation of environmental assessments, and the utilization of local resources for implementation,” the Prime Minister said.
Speaking at the opening of the causeway in Woja Island, His Excellency the President of RMI Christopher Loeak said the strengthened and elevated road link meant there was now a safe passage between the two parts of Woja Island.
“Until today, the communities living on the two different parts of Woja Island had to schedule their daily activities, such as getting to school or to the health clinic, around the state of the tide. At high tide, they had to make their way through what was often waist deep water to get to the other side of the island.”
“The Government of the Marshall Islands is especially pleased to see this project implemented and constructed by the Ministry of Public Works, with support from the European Union and SPC, so now we have the capacity, to tackle further similar projects with the help of our development partners,” the President said.
Delegates at the Causeway opening in Woja Island RMI President (4th from left)
"This is a good example of the European Union supporting governments and communities to implement their own priorities in partnership with regional organizations,” said European Union Ambassador for the Pacific, His Excellency Andrew Jacobs.
Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States Project Manager, Gillian Cambers, congratulated the government and people of Tonga and Marshall Islands for effectively implementing the projects and being receptive to new ideas.
“These are an excellent example of building capacity to address climate change impacts. As we know, sea level rise affects all of our Pacific Islands and will continue to be a threat for several decades to come. I sincerely hope that these are the first of many such interventions in the Marshall Islands and Tonga and that news reaches all of the Pacific countries,” Cambers said.
The Global Climate Change Alliance: Pacific Small Island States (GCCA:PSIS) project is a €11.4 million European Union supported project, implemented regionally in partnership with SPC and nationally by each of the nine participating governments in Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu.
More information on this climate change project is available online at:
To access the video series on the ‘Climate change adaptation, the Pacific Way’ visit:
For more information, contact
Zhiyad Khan SPC Project Communications, ZhiyadK@spc.int
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Great achievements in Tonga and RMI !! SIDS climate change adaptation at his best !!! SIDS leading adaptation by concrete action as often!!
Christophe LegrandTeam LeaderGCCA+ Global Support Facility