Tonga has become the latest country to embrace the registration of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) consultants with the passing of a new regulation requiring that a person preparing an EIA report must be registered and hold a valid EIA certificate.
The “Registration of EIA Consultant Regulation 2021”, passed by Tonga’s Cabinet, was applauded by the Deputy Director of Tonga’s Department of Environment (DoE), Mr Sione Tukia, who said the new regulation will strengthen and improve management of natural resources in Tonga, both terrestrial and marine ecosystem.
“The future of major development in Tonga will most likely improve with experts registered to bring best practices. Tonga looks forward to work closely with local, regional, and international consultant under the new regulation to improve socioeconomic, biological, ecological, cultural, and physical environment,” Mr Tukia said.