Editing Geography of Tuvalu (section)

==Environment==

===Island, reef and lagoon habitats===
[[File:Nukufetau.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Nukufetau]] atoll.]]
{{see also|Coral reefs of Tuvalu|Protected areas of Tuvalu}}

Tuvalu consists of three [[reef]] islands and six true [[atolls]]. Its small, scattered group of [[atolls]] have poor soil and a total land area of only about 26.26&nbsp;square kilometres (less than 10&nbsp;sq.&nbsp;mi.) making it the fourth smallest country in the world. The islets that form the atolls are very low-lying.  [[Nanumaga]], [[Niutao]], [[Niulakita]] are [[reef]] islands and the six true atolls are [[Funafuti]], [[Nanumea]], [[Nui (atoll)|Nui]], [[Nukufetau]], [[Nukulaelae]] and [[Vaitupu]]. [[Funafuti]] is the largest [[atoll]] of the nine low [[reef]] islands and atolls that form the Tuvalu volcanic island chain. It comprises numerous islets around a central lagoon that is approximately {{convert|25.1|km|mi|abbr=off}} (N–S) by {{convert|18.4|km|mi|abbr=off}} (W-E), centred on 179°7’E and 8°30’S. On the atolls an annular reef rim surrounds the lagoon, with several natural reef channels.<ref name="FSN">{{cite journal| last =McNeil | first =F. S. |title= Organic reefs and banks and associated detrital sediments|journal=Am. J. Sci.|volume= 252|issue=7|pages= 385–401 | year = 1954|bibcode=1954AmJS..252..385M|doi=10.2475/ajs.252.7.385|doi-access=free}}</ref> A standard definition of an ''atoll'' is "an annular reef enclosing a lagoon in which there are no promontories other than reefs and islets composed of reef detritus".<ref name="FSN"/> The northern part of the Funafuti lagoon has a deep basin (maximum depth recorded of 54.7 m) basin, and the southern part of the lagoon has very narrow shallow basin.<ref name="SOPAC">{{cite web |title= EU-SOPAC Project Report 50: TUVALU TECHNICAL REPORT High-Resolution Bathymetric Survey Fieldwork undertaken from 19 September to 24 October 2004 |publisher= Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission c/o SOPAC Secretariat|date=October 2018 |url= ftp://ftp.gouv.nc/sig/PUBLIC/club_geomatique/2017/GT_donnees_geo_maritimes_22_06_2017/Rapport_de_leve_CPS.pdf| access-date=21 October 2019 }}</ref>

The eastern shoreline of [[Fongafale]] in the Funafuti lagoon (''Te Namo'') was modified during World War II; several piers were constructed, beach areas filled, and deep water access channels were excavated. These alternations to the reef and shoreline have resulted in changes to wave patterns with less sand accumulating to form the beaches as compared to former times; and the shoreline is now exposed to wave action.<ref name="TN">{{cite web| work=tuvaluislands.com |title= Fogafale: Then and Now (1941 & 2003)|url=  http://www.tuvaluislands.com/maps/fogafale_1.html|archive-url=  https://web.archive.org/web/20060209040631/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/maps/fogafale_1.html|url-status=  usurped|archive-date=  9 February 2006| access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> Several attempts to stabilize the shoreline have not achieved the desired effect.<ref name="RC">{{cite web|first=Ralf|last=Carter|title=Wind and Sea Analysis – Funafuti Lagoon, Tuvalu|date=4 July 1986|url=http://prdrse4all.spc.int/data/wind-and-sea-analysis-funafuti-lagoon-tuvalu|work=South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme and UNDP Project RAS/81/102 (Technical. Report No. 58 of PE/TU.3)|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

The rising population results in increased demand on fish stocks, which are under stress;<ref name="RevLT">{{cite web|last=Lusama|first=Tafue|date=29 November 2011|title=Tuvalu plight must be heard by UNFCC|url=http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3701422.html|access-date=29 November 2011|publisher=The Drum – Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> although the creation of the [[Funafuti Conservation Area]] has provided a fishing exclusion area that helps sustain fish populations across the Funafuti lagoon. Population pressure on the resources of Funafuti and in-adequation sanitation systems have resulted in pollution.<ref name="Krales"/><ref name="FB">{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/mar/04/tuvalu-sustainable-way-of-life-disappears | location=London | work=[[The Guardian]] | first1=Florent | last1=Baarsch | title=Warming oceans and human waste hit Tuvalu's sustainable way of life | date=4 March 2011|access-date=24 October 2011}}</ref> The Waste Operations and Services Act 2009 provides the legal framework for the waste management and pollution control projects funded by the European Union that are directed to organic waste composting in eco-sanitation systems.<ref name="TWWSP">{{cite web|url= http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/aap/2009/af_aap_2009_tuv.pdf |title= Tuvalu / Water, Waste and Sanitation Project (TWWSP): CRIS FED/2009/021-195, ANNEX | date =2009|work=European Union|access-date=24 October 2011}}</ref>

Surveys were carried out in May 2010 of the reef habitats of Nanumea, Nukulaelae and Funafuti (including the Funafuti Conservation Area) and a total of 317 fish species were recorded during this ''Tuvalu Marine Life'' study. The surveys identified 66 species that had not previously been recorded in Tuvalu, which brings the total number of identified species to 607.<ref name=TMLSY>{{cite web|author1=Sandrine Job |author2=Daniela Ceccarelli | title = Tuvalu Marine Life Synthesis Report|date = December 2011| work= Alofa Tuvalu project with the Tuvalu Fisheries Department| url= http://www.alofatuvalu.tv/US/05_a_tuvalu/05_page_tml/livret2light.pdf| access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=TMLScR>{{cite web|author1=Sandrine Job |author2=Daniela Ceccarelli | title = Tuvalu Marine Life Scientific Report|date = December 2012| work= Alofa Tuvalu project with the Tuvalu Fisheries Department| url= http://www.alofatuvalu.tv/US/05_a_tuvalu/05_page_tml/livret4light.pdf| access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

The terrestrial invertebrates are land and shore crabs, including ''Paikea'' (''[[Discoplax rotunda]]''), ''Tupa'' (''[[Cardisoma carnifex]]''), ''Kamakama'' (''[[Grapsus albolineatus]]''), a range of hermit crabs, ''Uga'' (''[[Coenobita]] spp'') and the coconut crab, ''Uu'' (''[[Coconut crab|Birgus latro]]'').<ref name="TCAP-NN66"/> Also important are a range of land snails, misa (''[[Melampus (gastropod)|Melampus]] spp'') used to make shell [[Lei (garland)|leis]] (ula) and [[Art of Tuvalu|traditional handicrafts]],<ref name="RBA1">{{cite web|author= Randy Thaman, Feagaiga Penivao, Faoliu Teakau, Semese Alefaio, Lamese Saamu, Moe Saitala, Mataio Tekinene and Mile Fonua| work= Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Conservation Status of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) in Tuvalu|title= Report on the 2016 Funafuti Community-Based Ridge-To-Reef (R2R) |date = 2017|url= https://www.sprep.org/attachments/VirLib/Tuvalu/r2r-biorap.pdf| access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> which includes the decoration of mats, fans and wall hangings.<ref name="ATP">{{cite web| last =Tiraa-Passfield | first = Anna |title= The uses of shells in traditional Tuvaluan handicrafts| publisher= SPC Traditional Marine Resource Management and Knowledge Information Bulletin #7|date = September 1996|url= http://www.spc.int/DigitalLibrary/Doc/FAME/InfoBull/TRAD/7/TRAD7_02_Tiraa.pdf| access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>

===Environment – climate change issues===
{{Main|Climate change in Tuvalu}}
Since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities; beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the bleaching of the coral as a consequence of the increase of the ocean temperatures and acidification from increased levels of carbon dioxide; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table. Tuvalu has adopted a national plan of action as the observable transformations over the last ten to fifteen years show Tuvaluans that there have been changes to the sea levels.<ref name=NAP>{{cite web| title=Tuvalu's National Adaptation Programme of Action|work=Department of Environment of Tuvalu |date=May 2007|url= http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/napa/tuv01.pdf|access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref>

Because of the low elevation, the islands that make up this nation are threatened by current and future [[sea level rise]].<ref name="Krales">{{cite web| first= Amelia Holowaty|last=Krales|url= http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/as-danger-laps-at-its-shores-tuvalu-pleads-for-action/|title=As Danger Laps at Its Shores, Tuvalu Pleads for Action| date =18 October 2011|work= The New York Times – Green: A Blog about Energy and the Environment|access-date=24 October 2011}}</ref> The highest elevation is {{convert|4.6|m|ft}} above sea level on [[Niulakita]],<ref name="JL">{{cite journal|first=James|last=Lewis|title =Sea level rise: Some implications for Tuvalu |journal=The Environmentalist|volume=9|issue=4|pages=269–275| date =December 1989|doi=10.1007/BF02241827|s2cid=84796023 }}</ref> which gives Tuvalu the second-lowest maximum elevation of any country (after the [[Maldives]]). However, the highest elevations are typically in narrow storm dunes on the ocean side of the islands which are prone to over topping in tropical cyclones, such as occurred on [[Funafuti]] with [[Cyclone Bebe]].<ref name="bom2">{{cite book |last1=  |first1= |title= Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1971–1972|url= |format= |accessdate=  |year=1975|publisher= Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government Publishing Service |location= |language= |isbn=|oclc= |doi= |id= |page= |pages=|chapter=|quote= |bibcode= }}</ref>

[[File:Ocean side Funafuti.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Ocean side of [[Funafuti]] atoll showing the storm dunes, the highest point on the atoll.]]

Tuvalu is mainly composed of coral debris eroded from encircling reefs and pushed up onto the islands by winds and waves.<ref name="NG15">{{cite web| last = Warne | first = Kennedy | work= National Geographic  |title= Will Pacific Island Nations Disappear as Seas Rise? Maybe Not – Reef islands can grow and change shape as sediments shift, studies show |date =13 February 2015|url= http://news-beta.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/150213-tuvalu-sopoaga-kench-kiribati-maldives-cyclone-marshall-islands/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150214031223/http://news-beta.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/150213-tuvalu-sopoaga-kench-kiribati-maldives-cyclone-marshall-islands/|url-status= dead|archive-date= 14 February 2015| access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> Paul Kench at the [[University of Auckland]] in New Zealand and Arthur Webb at the [[South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission]] in [[Fiji]] released a study in 2010 on the dynamic response of reef islands to sea level rise in the central Pacific. Tuvalu was mentioned in the study, and Webb and Kench found that seven islands in one of its nine atolls have spread by more than 3 per cent on average since the 1950s.<ref name="new-rep">{{cite magazine|first=Bradford |last=Plumer |title=Pacific Islands Defying Sea-Level Rise—For Now | date=7 June 2010 |url=https://newrepublic.com/blog/the-vine/75348/pacific-islands-defying-sea-level-rise-least-now |magazine= New Republic |access-date=11 October 2015}}</ref> One island, [[Funamanu]], gained 0.44 hectares, or nearly 30 per cent of its previous area. In contrast, [[Tepuka Vili Vili]] has suffered a net loss in area of 22 percent since 1896. The shape and orientation of the reef has also changed over time.<ref name="NG15"/>

Further research by Kench et al., published in 2018 identifies rising sea levels as creating an increased transfer of wave energy across the reef surfaces of the atolls of Tuvalu, which shifts sand, resulting in accretion to island shorelines. Over 4 decades, there had been a net increase in land area of the islets of 73.5 ha (2.9%), although the changes are not uniform, with 74% increasing and 27% decreasing in size.<ref name="PSK"/> However, this process does not result in additional habitable land.<ref name="ktm519"/>

The storm surge resulting from a [[tropical cyclone]] can dramatically shift coral debris. In 1972 Funafuti was in the path of [[Cyclone Bebe]]. Tropical Cyclone Bebe was a pre-season [[tropical cyclone]] that impacted the [[Gilbert Islands|Gilbert]], [[Tuvalu|Ellice Islands]], and [[Fiji]] island groups.<ref name="BOM1975">Bureau of Meteorology (1975) ''Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1971–1972'' Australian Government Publishing Service</ref> The storm surge created a wall of coral rubble along the ocean side of [[Fongafale]] and [[Funafala]] that was about {{convert|10|mi}} long, and about {{convert|10|to|20|ft|m}} thick at the bottom.<ref name="HB72">{{cite web |last=Resture|first= Jane|title= Hurricane Bebe 1972 |url= http://www.janeresture.com/hurribebe/hurricanebebe2.htm|date=5 October 2009 |work= Tuvalu and the Hurricanes: 'The Hurricane in Funafuti, Tuvalu' by Pasefika Falani (Pacific Frank)|access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref> The cyclone knocked down about 90% of the houses and trees on Funafuti and contaminated sources of drinking water as a result of the system's storm surge and fresh water flooding.

Tuvalu is affected by [[perigean spring tide]] events which raise the sea level higher than a normal [[high tide]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|first=David|last=Shukman|title=Tuvalu struggles to hold back tide|date=22 January 2008|work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7203313.stm|access-date=5 August 2008}}</ref> The highest peak tide recorded by the [[Tuvalu Meteorological Service]] was {{convert|3.4|m|ft}} on 24 February 2006 and again on 19 February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=24 February 2015|access-date=17 March 2015|title=Tuvalu surveys road damage after king tides|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/266995/tuvalu-surveys-road-damage-after-king-tides}}</ref> As a result of historical sea level rise, the [[king tide]] events lead to flooding of low-lying areas, which is compounded when sea levels are further raised by [[La Niña]] effects or local storms and waves.<ref name="PDV-24-2-15">{{cite news |last1= Eliuta|first1= Niuone |title= Science says Tuvalu will drown within decades; the reality is worse |url=https://devpolicy.org/science-says-tuvalu-will-drown-within-decades-the-reality-is-worse-20240215/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |work=PolicyDevBlog|date=15 February 2024}}</ref> In the future, sea level rise may threaten to submerge the nation entirely as it is estimated that a sea level rise of {{convert|20|–|40|cm|in|abbr=off}} in the next 100 years could make Tuvalu uninhabitable.<ref name ="Patel">{{cite journal | vauthors = Patel SS | year = 2006 | title = A sinking feeling | url = http://www.scidev.net/pdffiles/nature/tuvalu.pdf | journal = Nature | volume = 440 | issue = 7085| pages = 734–736 | doi = 10.1038/440734a | pmid = 16598226 | bibcode = 2006Natur.440..734P | s2cid = 1174790 }}</ref><ref name="staff.acecrc.org.au">Hunter, J. A. 2002. [http://staff.acecrc.org.au/~johunter/tuvalu.pdf Note on Relative Sea Level Change at Funafuti, Tuvalu] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007232502/http://staff.acecrc.org.au/~johunter/tuvalu.pdf |date=7 October 2011 }}. Retrieved 13 May 2006.</ref>

Tuvalu experiences westerly gales and heavy rain from October to March – the period that is known as ''Tau-o-lalo''; with tropical temperatures moderated by easterly winds from April to November. Drinking water is mostly obtained from rainwater collected on roofs and stored in tanks; these systems are often poorly maintained, resulting in lack of water.<ref name="PAK">{{cite web|first=P.A. |last=Kingston |title=Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality in the Pacific Islands: Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment |year=2004 |url=https://pacific-data.sprep.org/dataset/drinking-water-quality-pacific-island-countries/resource/43881d9e-831b-488e-b0a5 |work=Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment, Country Reports, WHO |access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref> Aid programs of Australia and the European Union have been directed to improving the storage capacity on Funafuti and in the outer islands.<ref name="10EDF">{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/countries/tuvalu_en|title=Tuvalu – 10th European Development Fund|work=Delegation of the European Union|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

===Borrow Pits Remediation (BPR) project===
When the airfield, which is now [[Funafuti International Airport]], was constructed during World War II. The coral base of the atoll was used as fill to create the runway. The resulting [[borrow pit]]s impacted the fresh-water [[aquifer]]. In the low areas of Funafuti the sea water can be seen bubbling up through the porous coral rock to form pools with each high tide.<ref name=ML2005>{{cite web| first=Monise |last=Laafai |url= http://www.tuvaluislands.com/photos/2006_tides/2006tides.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060419190352/http://www.tuvaluislands.com/photos/2006_tides/2006tides.html|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 19 April 2006|title=Funafuti King Tides | date = October 2005|access-date=14 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=MKM>{{cite web|first= Moya K.|last= Mason|url= http://www.moyak.com/papers/tuvalu-climate-change.html |title= Tuvalu: Flooding, Global Warming, and Media Coverage |access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="AHK1">{{cite web| last = Holowaty Krales | first =Amelia | title= Chasing the Tides, parts I & II |date= 20 February 2011 |url=http://ameliaholowatykrales.blogspot.com.au/2011_02_01_archive.html|access-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> Since 1994 a project has been in development to assess the environmental impact of transporting sand from the lagoon to fill all the borrow pits and low-lying areas on [[Fongafale]]. In 2013 a feasibility study was carried out and in 2014 the Tuvalu Borrow Pits Remediation (BPR) project was approved, so that all ten borrow pits would be filled, leaving Tafua Pond, which is a natural pond.<ref>{{cite web|last= Silafaga Lalua Melton|title= 73 years of waiting finally pays off for Funafuti | date =28 October 2014|url= https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=357292681098580&id=333658940128621&substory_index=0|publisher= Fenui News|access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref> The New Zealand Government funded the BPR project.<ref>{{cite web|title= Tuvalu to Benefit from International Dredging Aid| date =1 April 2014|url= http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=19459 |publisher= Dredging News|access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref> The project was carried out in 2015 with 365,000 sqm of sand being dredged from the lagoon to fill the holes and improve living conditions on the island. This project increased the usable land space on Fongafale by eight per cent.<ref>{{cite web |title= Coast contractor completes aid project in remote Tuvalu| date =27 November 2015|url= http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coast-contractor-completes-aid-project-remote-tuva/2855272/|publisher= SunshineCoastDaily|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref>

===Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP)===
The [[Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project]] (TCAP) was launched in 2017 for the purpose on enhancing the resilience of the islands of Tuvalu to meet the challenges resulting from higher sea levels.<ref name="GCF">{{cite web| last = Bouadze | first = Levan |title= Groundbreaking ceremony in Funafuti for Tuvalu's coastal adaptation|publisher= UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji |page=|date = 6 December 2022|url= https://www.undp.org/pacific/speeches/groundbreaking-ceremony-funafuti-tuvalus-coastal-adaptation | accessdate=1 November 2023}}</ref> Tuvalu was the first country in the Pacific to access climate finance from [[Green Climate Fund]], with the support of the [[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]].<ref name="GCF"/> In December 2022, work on the Funafuti reclamation project commenced. The project is to dredge sand from the lagoon to construct a platform on [[Fongafale]], [[Funafuti]] that is {{convert|780|m|ft}} meters long and {{convert|100|m|ft}} meters wide, giving a total area of approximately 7.8 ha. (19.27 acres), which is designed to remain above sea level rise and the reach of storm waves beyond the year 2100.<ref name="GCF"/> The Australian [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] (DFAT) also provided funding for the TCAP. Further projects that are part of TCAP are capital works on the outer islands of [[Nanumea]] and [[Nanumaga]] aimed at reducing exposure to coastal damage resulting from storms.<ref name="GCF"/>

===Topographic and Bathymetric Survey===
In May 2019, TCAP signed an agreement with Fugro, for it to carry out an airborne [[Lidar|LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)]] survey across the nine [[islands of Tuvalu]].<ref name="LiDAR">{{cite web| last = | first = |title= Advanced Topographic and Bathymetric Survey to Support Tuvalu's Adaptation Efforts |publisher= UNDP|page=|date = 2 May 2019 |url= https://reliefweb.int/report/tuvalu/advanced-topographic-and-bathymetric-survey-support-tuvalu-s-adaptation-efforts | accessdate=8 November 2023}}</ref> LIDAR is a [[remote sensing]] method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser that will produce high quality mapping of the reef and lagoon [[bathymetry]] (sea floor mapping to 50-meter depths) and accurate [[topography]] (land elevation data).<ref name="LiDAR"/> This aerial survey will provide high quality baseline data to assess the relationship between water levels and wave dynamics and their impact on the islands of Tuvalu.<ref name="LiDAR"/> The survey will also provide baseline data for shoreline monitoring, coastal vulnerability assessment and planning.<ref name="LiDAR"/>

===Controls on plastic waste and recycling of domestic waste===
From 1 August 2019, specific single-use plastic items are subject to a ban on importation into Tuvalu, an importation levy was also imposed on specific items, such as refrigerators and vehicles, to raise money to pay for their recycling or shipment out of the country when they cease to be usable.<ref name="LOC19">{{cite web| last = Buchanan | first = Kelly |title= Tuvalu: Ban on Single-Use Plastics Commences |publisher= Library of Congress |page=|date = 19 August 2019|url= https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2019-08-19/tuvalu-ban-on-single-use-plastics-commences/| accessdate=8 November 2023}}</ref> The new rules are contained in two regulations: the Waste Management (Prohibition on the Importation of Single-Use Plastic) Regulation 2019 and the Waste Management (Levy Deposit) Regulation 2019, which regulations are made under the Waste Operations and Services Act 2009.<ref name="LOC19"/>

===Environment – international agreements===
Tuvalu is a party to:
[[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]], [[Desertification]], [[Hazardous waste|Hazardous Waste]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Ozone Layer Protection]], [[Ship Pollution]], [[Whaling]]
<br>''signed, but not ratified:'' none

Tuvalu signed the [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] (CBD) in 1992, and ratified it in December 2002.<ref name="CBD">{{cite web| last = | first = |title= Tuvalu Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity|publisher= Government of Tuvalu|page=|year = 2020|url= https://www.cbd.int/doc/nr/nr-06/tv-nr-06-en.pdf | accessdate=11 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="RT16">{{cite web|author= Compiled by Randy Thaman with assistance from Faoliu Teakau, Moe Saitala, Epu Falega, Feagaiga Penivao, Mataio Tekenene and Semese Alefaio | work= Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment and Labour Government of Tuvalu |title= Tuvalu National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity |date = 2016|url= https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/tv/tv-nr-05-en.pdf| access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref>

Tuvalu signed the [[Pacific Islands Cetaceans Memorandum of Understanding]] on 9 September 2010.

Tuvalu is a party to the [[Waigani Convention]] that bans the importation into forum island countries of hazardous and radioactive wastes and to control the transboundary movement and management of hazardous wastes within the south pacific region and is also a party to the [[Minamata Convention on Mercury]], [[Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants]], [[Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer]] and the [[Montreal Protocol]] on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Tuvalu is in the process of completing its accession to the [[Basel Convention]] to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects that may result from the generation, transboundary movements and management of hazardous and other wastes.<ref name="wm20">{{cite web| last = | first = |title= Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in Tuvalu |publisher= Prepared by the Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with technical assistance from Monash University, on behalf of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). |page=|date = November 2020|url= https://library.sprep.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/waste-legislation-Tuvalu.pdf| accessdate=8 November 2023}}</ref>