AGP Executive Report

Regional Resilience: ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes Tonga, with priorities shaped by the region’s climate-disaster risks and the high cost of delivering essential services. Energy Transition: Endurance Energy plans up to six subsea geothermal units offshore Tonga in 2027, but its recent pilot generated net power for just 8.7 seconds, leaving major technical hurdles. Climate Impacts: El Niño is combining with ocean warming to worsen drought, water shortages and crop losses across the Pacific, including Tonga. Climate Action: Pacific leaders are pressing for stronger climate finance ahead of COP31, while funding and infrastructure gaps threaten efforts to cut shipping emissions without making vital island transport less affordable.

Climate Impacts: El Niño and unusually warm Pacific waters are worsening drought, water shortages and crop losses, with Tonga among the affected countries. Clean Energy: Endurance Energy plans an offshore geothermal project in Tonga for 2027, but its first subsea test generated power for only seconds; the technology still needs to prove it can operate reliably. Shipping Emissions: Pacific officials warn that funding, infrastructure and skills shortages are slowing efforts to replace aging, diesel-powered vessels without making essential transport less affordable. Power Security: Tonga has added two generators, boosting capacity by 3.52 megawatts, while a $15.39 million Asian Development Bank grant will help manage rising fuel costs. Cyclone Readiness: Forecasts point to elevated cyclone activity across parts of the Pacific in the coming season, underscoring the need for preparedness.

Tonga’s Geothermal Plans: A subsea geothermal startup is targeting a 2027 commercial project offshore Tonga, with up to six generators planned. Its first test, at a volcanic site off Oregon, produced power for just 8.7 seconds, so the technology still faces major hurdles. Cleaner Pacific Shipping: Regional officials say funding, infrastructure and skills shortages are slowing efforts to cut shipping emissions, while keeping vital island transport affordable. Warming Seas and Water Stress: El Niño is combining with warmer oceans to worsen drought, water shortages and crop losses across the Pacific, including Tonga. Climate Finance: Pacific leaders are urging countries to turn climate commitments into finance and practical resilience measures ahead of COP31. Cyclone Readiness: An early-season cyclone has formed near the Cook Islands, and forecasters expect elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Pacific this season.

Cleaner Shipping: Pacific officials warn that limited finance, port infrastructure and technical skills are slowing efforts to cut shipping emissions without making essential island transport more costly. Tonga’s Energy Future: US startup Endurance Energy says it plans to deploy subsea geothermal generators offshore Tonga in 2027, potentially reducing reliance on imported diesel. Its first undersea test off Oregon produced power for just 8.7 seconds; the company says it monitored impacts on seafloor life. Climate Pressures: El Niño and warmer ocean conditions are contributing to water scarcity and agricultural losses in Tonga and across the Pacific. A former Fiji ambassador says Pacific leaders must turn COP31 momentum into climate finance and resilience measures shaped by local communities. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation capacity at Popua, aiming to improve reliability amid repeated outages.**

Climate and Water: El Niño and unusually warm ocean conditions are worsening drought, crop damage and water shortages across the Pacific, including Tonga, with growing pressure on food security and livelihoods. COP31: A former Fiji envoy says Pacific leaders should turn pre-COP31 momentum into climate finance, stronger resilience and a greater say in global decisions. Cyclone Readiness: The first regional cyclone has formed unusually early in Cook Islands waters, and forecasts point to elevated cyclone activity from November to April. Energy Security: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation capacity at Popua to help reduce outages. ADB emergency aid will also help Tonga manage rising fuel costs and protect electricity supply. Environmental Stewardship: Friends of Tonga has received an environmental stewardship award.

Warming Pacific: El Niño is bringing unusually warm ocean conditions, drought, crop losses and water shortages across the region, including Tonga. Scientists warn the warming ocean is changing marine conditions below the surface, too. Climate Action: Former Fiji ambassador Satyendra Prasad says Pacific leaders must turn momentum from the Fiji-Tuvalu Pre-COP31 meeting into climate finance and resilience, with vulnerable communities shaping global decisions. Cyclone Readiness: Tropical Cyclone Wati has formed in Cook Islands waters ahead of the official season; forecasters also expect elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Pacific. A new cyclone visualisation tracks six major storms that affected Tonga and three other island nations from 2015 to 2024. Local Conservation: Friends of Tonga won a regional environmental stewardship award for community-led work, including rainwater cisterns that provide about 770,000 litres of storage. Ocean Protection: Tonga is among five nations included in a new Bezos Earth Fund initiative supporting Pacific-led protection and management of more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals in 2025 for resilience, fisheries and health projects.

Power Supply: Tonga Power has commissioned two generators at Popua, adding 3.52 megawatts to help reduce outages across Tongatapu. Separately, Tonga is due to receive US$15.39 million in ADB emergency aid to ease fuel-cost pressures and support affordable electricity. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is expanding Pacific conservation support to Tonga and four other nations, backing plans to protect and manage more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental stewardship. Its community-led work includes 77 rainwater cisterns, providing about 770,000 litres of storage. Regional Climate Risks: Forecasters expect elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Southwest Pacific this season, with a possible early start; communities are urged to prepare.

Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is expanding Pacific conservation work to Tonga and four other nations, supporting plans to protect and manage more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental stewardship. Its work includes 77 rainwater cisterns, providing about 770,000 litres of storage, and water services that have benefited more than 33,000 people. Cyclone Outlook: A cyclone has formed in Cook Islands waters ahead of the official season, while forecasters warn of elevated cyclone activity across parts of the Southwest Pacific this season, linked to a developing strong El Niño. Power Supply: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation capacity at Popua as Tonga prepares to receive ADB emergency funding to help manage rising imported-fuel costs and keep electricity affordable.

Cyclone Watch: Tropical Cyclone Wati has formed in Cook Islands waters before the official season begins, as forecasts warn of heightened cyclone activity across the Pacific. Tonga has also declared drought as El Niño strengthens, adding to concerns about growing climate pressures. Power and Fuel: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts at Popua to help steady Tongatapu’s electricity supply. The ADB has also approved $15.39 million for Tonga to ease the impact of rising imported-fuel costs. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing Pacific-led marine conservation in Tonga and four other nations, supporting plans to protect and manage more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental stewardship. Its work includes 77 rainwater cisterns, providing about 770,000 litres of storage, and water services benefiting more than 33,000 people.

Early Cyclone Season: Tropical Cyclone Wati has formed in Cook Islands waters weeks before the South Pacific season officially begins. El Niño is also raising concern about more cyclone activity across the region, though no direct threat to Tonga is reported. Drought: Tonga has declared a drought as El Niño strengthens, adding pressure on water supplies and communities. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is extending Pacific conservation support to Tonga as part of a regional effort to protect and manage more ocean areas. Community Conservation: Friends of Tonga has won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental stewardship; its work includes rainwater cisterns and climate resilience projects. Energy Security: Tonga Power has added 3.52 megawatts of generation capacity at Popua, while a US$15.39 million ADB grant will help manage rising fuel costs and support affordable electricity.

Power Supply: Tonga Power has added two generators at Popua, increasing capacity by 3.52 megawatts to help ease outages while permanent upgrades continue. Tonga will also receive US$15.39 million in ADB emergency aid to help Tonga Power manage rising imported-fuel costs and keep electricity affordable. Climate Risks: Drought has been declared across Tonga as El Niño strengthens, while forecasters warn of elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Southwest Pacific during the coming season. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund’s Pacific conservation programme includes Tonga among five countries set to receive support for protecting and managing ocean areas. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga has won a global environmental stewardship award for its community-led work, including rainwater cisterns that have expanded water storage and supported thousands of people.

Climate Finance: As the Pacific looks toward COP31, advocates are pressing for resources to protect farms, health facilities and coastal communities. SPC reports US$129.9 million in new climate-funding approvals, including support for tuna-dependent economies and climate-related health resilience. Extreme Weather: Drought has been declared across Tonga as El Niño strengthens, with reduced rainfall and shifting tuna fisheries expected to affect the region into 2027. Forecasters also warn of an early cyclone season, with 7–11 named storms expected across the southwest Pacific. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants exceeding US$25 million will support conservation in Tonga and four other Pacific nations, including new protected areas. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a global environmental stewardship award for community-led work, including 77 rainwater cisterns holding about 770,000 litres. In Kolonga, solar-powered cold storage is helping a root-crop exporter reduce spoilage and build resilience.

Community Conservation: Friends of Tonga has won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for environmental stewardship. Since 2018, the volunteer group has supported community-led projects, including 77 rainwater cisterns that provide about 770,000 litres of storage. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is directing more than US$25 million to conservation in five Pacific countries, including Tonga, where grants will support new marine protected areas. Climate Finance: The Pacific Community secured US$129.9 million in climate funding approvals in 2025, including support to help tuna-dependent communities adapt. Weather Risks: A strengthening El Niño has prompted drought declarations in Tonga, with forecasts warning of reduced rainfall and shifting tuna grounds. The region’s cyclone outlook also warns of a potentially early season and elevated activity near and east of the International Date Line. Local Resilience: A solar-powered cold store in Kolonga is helping a root-crop exporter reduce losses and protect produce for export.

Environmental Stewardship: Friends of Tonga has won a 2026 .ORG Impact Award for its community-led work, including rainwater cisterns that provide about 770,000 litres of storage and have benefited more than 33,000 people. Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund grants of more than US$25 million will support conservation across five Pacific countries, including new protected areas in Tonga, as part of a regional push to safeguard 30% of the ocean by 2030. Severe Weather: A forecast warns of seven to 11 tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific this season, with at least four potentially reaching Category 3 or higher; El Niño could bring an early start and more activity near and east of the Date Line. Drought and Fisheries: Drought has been declared across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua, with water support being coordinated for communities. A strengthening El Niño is also expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027.

Drought and El Niño: Drought has been declared across Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua, with Niuafo’ou under warning and Vava’u on alert. Forecasters warn El Niño could prolong dry conditions and reduce rainfall. Fisheries: El Niño is also expected to shift tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific into 2027, posing risks to island economies and fisheries management. Energy Security: The Asian Development Bank has approved US$15.39 million for Tonga to manage fuel-price volatility and help keep electricity affordable. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in regional conservation grants will support new protected areas in Tonga, helping safeguard marine life and ocean habitats. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 environmental stewardship award for its community-led work, including rainwater cisterns and resilient schools.

Energy Security: Tonga will receive US$15.39 million from an ADB package to help manage fuel-price shocks and keep electricity affordable as global costs rise. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support Pacific conservation, including new protected areas in Tonga’s waters. El Niño and Fisheries: A strengthening El Niño could bring reduced rainfall to Tonga and shift tuna fishing grounds across the Pacific into 2027. Drought: Drought has been declared on Tongatapu, Niuatoputapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua, with Niuafo’ou under warning and Vava’u on alert. Authorities are coordinating water distribution as dry conditions may continue. Community Resilience: Friends of Tonga won a US$10,000 international environmental award for community-led work, including rainwater cisterns, water and sanitation services, and resilient kindergartens.