INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND MECHANISMS FOR INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO THE ECONOMIC DECISION-MAKING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL IN TONGA

Contents

List of abbreviations

I. State of the environment in Tonga

1. Current environmental policy
2. Key environmental reports and priority issues

II. National institutional arrangements

1. Environmental Planning Section
2. Environmental impact assessment
3. Interdepartmental Environmental Committee
4. Development Coordination Committee
5. Institutional arrangements at the ministerial and departmental levels
6. Inadequacy of institutional arrangements
7. Organizational chart
8. Departmental divisions with specific environmental responsibilities

III. Institutional coordination mechanisms

1. Current mechanisms of coordination
2. Weaknesses and strengths of existing mechanisms
3. Future mechanisms for coordination
4. Institutional overlaps and conflicts
5. Mechanisms for interaction with the private sector
6. Involvement of the whole community

IV.   Analysis of measures used to implement environmental policies

1. Measures to protect the environment
2. Need for more appropriate environmental legislation

V.    Multilateral trade and environmental agreements, and domestic policy formulation

1. Multilateral trade agreements
2. International environmental agreements
3. Agenda 21 and the Barbados Plan of Action
4. Existing status
5. International agreements and domestic policy

VI. Existing mechanisms and their effectiveness in monitoring enforcement

1. Licensing/permit granting frameworks
2. Monitoring mechanisms
3. Effectiveness of monitoring
4. Concluding remarks

VII.  Review of training and information needs

1. Training
2. Public awareness and educational programmes
3. Effectiveness of existing mechanisms

VIII. Conclusions and recommendations

1. Environmental considerations in government policy and economic decision-making
2. Legal mechanisms for formulating and enforcing environmental policies
3. Institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms
4. Institutional strengthening
5. Multilateral trade and international environmental agreements, and domestic environmental policies
6. Protective measures and monitoring mechanisms
7. Training and information
8. Public awareness and participation

Annex: Statues affecting or related to the environment

References

List of tables

1. Major environmental areas, responsible institutions and constraints
2. New Zealand overseas development analysis of bilateral commitments to Pacific island countries, 1994
3. Summary of problem areas, relevant regulations, and strengths and weaknesses
4. Informal training opportunities

List of boxes

1. Protection of fisheries resources
2. Proposal for a biodiversity survey of Tonga
3. Institutions with overlapping responsibilities for water resources
4. Framework for assessing private sector projects

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