Lilu and Eliza

Lilu has represented Tonga at regional and international climate events. She was part of the Tongan delegation to the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Paris (December 2015) and the World Humanitarian Summit (May 2016). Lilu has held roles in Tongan ministries since 2008, where she has worked on issues of climate change, education, and gender.

Lilu recognises that women are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change; a situation demanding urgent but appropriate action. She will use her studies and experiences to lead and advocate for gender equality in Tonga's climate change action plans, policies and projects. In the long term, Lilu plans to continue her influence through a political or high-level government position. 

Eliza has a breadth of experience and expertise in climate and energy policy, having worked for over a decade on environment and climate policy at the state, federal and international levels.

Eliza has successfully led a high-performing team in United Nations negotiations on climate change, including negotiating the rules to measure and report on emissions under the Paris Agreement.

She also led the team responsible for coordinating the International Partnership for Blue Carbon; a partnership of 40 members (14 countries) that works to protect coastal 'blue carbon' ecosystems for their climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits.

She is on track to complete a Sir Roland Wilson Foundation doctorate at the Australian National University, examining how to enhance the level and pace of global action on climate change.