PAPUA New Guinea being one of the largest standing pristine tropical rainforests

PAPUA New Guinea being one of the largest standing pristine tropical rainforests and few carbons’ positive countries in the world, continues to demonstrate a sound, effective and manageable leadership on actions against climate change.
This is despite the adversity in managing carbon emissions coupled with ongoing increase in population and illegal loggers flooding the beautiful rainforests of the country contributing immensely to the climate change.
Credits to governments of the past for championing the concept of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in 2005 with the Government of Costa Rica because it was through this concept that PNG set a strong foundation by putting up action plans to fight climate change head on.
The country’s efforts in addressing climate change were also moved by its commitment under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution and protect the environment.
PNG Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) was tasked to address carbon emissions by developing action plans and other measures and currently, the authority is determined to contribute immensely towards this.
CCDA while working in collaboration with its development agency like United Nations Development Partner (UNDP) and other government sectors, has already developed and endorsed a National REDD+ Strategy (NRS) for 2017-2027.
This was an important milestone achievement because the Strategy sets out policies and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in PNG.
A National REDD+ Safeguards promoting conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks is now being discussed amongst representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, the government and the development partners through consultations and workshops and work is still continuing.
While the country is doing its best like this to reduce carbon emissions, an effective collaborative effort or support from its partners and global community remains very little and needs strengthening.
Prime Minister James Marape who seems to be very vocal to see PNG being one of the carbon cleansing and oxygen producing countries in the future, also raised concerns on this while speaking at the recent United Nations General Summit in New York.
He said PNG has much to be proud of when it comes to demonstrating leadership on action against climate change, however, its global support remains little and calls for effective global support and participation.
PM Marape said PNG has been doing everything possible to reduce emission levels as per the Paris Agreement.
“It is, however, disheartening to note that despite our proactive efforts, we seem to continue to get the raw end of the deal,” PM Marape told the summit.
“We have done our part but we have had little support from the global north, including for our submissions to the Green Climate Fund.”
“We cannot be placated by toothless pledges as we need the power of sovereign markets that fully comply with the Paris Agreement.”
He said the world cannot talk about climate change without talking about forest conservations and proper land use managements.
Going forward and for the benefit of reducing carbon emissions collectively, the Prime Minister has made a call for an urgent global focus on conservation, preservation and sustainability of our global forests with proper land use practices.
“The world must save our forest because not to do so is suicidal for the earth’s future. This is something we must correct at CO27 in SharimEL-Sheikh,” the PM said.
“Let us not forget that there is more carbon stored in the worlds forest than held in all known coal, oil and gas reserves. In short, if we lose our rainforest, climate stability is impossible and we may as well kiss the temperature goal of 1.5 degrees goodbye.
“PNG and other rainforest nations are trying our best to balance forest harvest for our development needs and conserving for our world. We need help here, hear us.”
While updating the country’s efforts in reducing forests emissions, PM Marape said PNG has reduced forest emissions.
“Over the past five (5) years or so, we have reduced forests emissions by 53 percent with a total of over 75 million tonnes of unverified REDD+ credits that will be on market by the end of this year,” he said.
The Prime Minister said, his government has updated PNG Climate Management Act and this year set in place Nationally Determined Contribution regulation.
“We now have the legislation needed to implement the Paris Agreement with an endorsed Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Implementation Plan, NDC Electricity Roadmap and Agriculture, Forestry and other Land use NDC Roadmaps.”
“We are also drafting our first Electric Vehicle Policy and working towards endorsing our National Adaptation Plan,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking during his address at the recent United Nations General Assembly Summit.