Nuku’alofa, Tonga – July 23, 2024 – Could satellite images be the key to preserving Tonga’s forests? Recent breakthroughs in image quality and AI analysis are opening new possibilities. In collaboration with the Tongan Department of Forestry, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), as an implementing partner of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, conducted two major activities to support the preparation of Tonga’s National Forest Inventory (NFI) during a workshop on July 23, 2024. These included 1) the handover of the National Forest Inventory Document to the Government of Tonga and Tongan foresters, and 2) Capacity building on Satellite Imagery.
The National Forest Inventory aims to support sustainable management of Tonga’s forests and tree resources. “After the forest data collection and measurement training with GGGI in June, we saw the need to document the forest data collection focusing on forest inventory methodology and practices,” Participants from the government (Department of Forestry) said. The Acting Head of the Forestry Division, Mr. Tu’usolo Tonga also noted, “The Government is thankful for the assistance in training and equipment received under this project. We are progressing towards the start of our national forest inventory, and it is exciting to have support to deliver something that has been a priority for the Government for over ten years now.”
The preparation also focuses on assessing the carbon sequestration potential of forests and mangroves through satellite imagery. “Access to satellite images is a cost-effective solution for establishing a reliable, detailed forest inventory,” Norbert Maass, GGGI’s Country Representative for Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu said. “This training on the Geographic Information System (GIS) satellite imagery and its role in Tonga’s Forest Inventory promotes the adoption of high-resolution satellite imagery as an opportunity for Tonga to establish a reliable, detailed forest inventory,” he added. As an implementing partner of the Regional Pacific NDC Hub, GGGI will continue to support Pacific Island Countries to realize the vision of a sustainable, low-carbon, and climate resilient Pacific, through NDC Investment Plans, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) support, and implementation of national legislations on climate resilient.
About Regional Pacific NDC Hub
The Regional Pacific NDC Hub is request driven by the Pacific for the Pacific and serves as a one-stop platform for the Pacific region, facilitating the exchange of best practices, providing technical assistance, and building capacities to tackle challenges posed by climate change. It offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to support the implementation of climate commitments outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 14 Pacific Island Countries. Guided by the principles of the Paris Agreement, the hub is funded by the Governments of Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union.
For more information, visit: https://gggi.org
(GGGI Pacific)
Roshika Ranjini Gaunder, Senior Program Associate
(GGGI Seoul HQ)
Mona Laczo, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit Head
mona.laczo@gggi.org
© Photo Credit GGGI
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