PAPUA New Guinea is calling on major carbon-emitting countries to provide fairer climate financing to help protect vulnerable communities from rising sea levels, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.
Prime Minister James Marape said PNG would continue to support Pacific island nations affected by climate change while strengthening its own efforts to protect the environment.
Mr Marape made the statement after returning from Tuvalu and Fiji, where he attended Pre-COP31 engagements ahead of the global climate conference in Türkiye next month.
He said PNG and other Pacific countries were already experiencing the effects of climate change, with coastal communities among those facing growing risks.
“Pacific countries contribute very little to global emissions, yet we are among the first to suffer the consequences,” he said.
Mr Marape said his visit to Tuvalu showed the urgent need for practical solutions to protect communities rather than simply advising people to relocate.
“Tuvalu showed us that climate change is not an academic discussion. It is happening now,” he said.
He said measures such as seawalls, land reclamation, clean water supplies, renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure could help vulnerable communities remain on their land.
Mr Marape reaffirmed the Government’s commitment of K5 million annually for five years, totalling K25 million, to support Tuvalu’s climate adaptation and land-reclamation efforts.
He said PNG must also take responsibility by protecting its forests and oceans, strengthening coastal protection and moving towards cleaner energy.
“Papua New Guinea cannot ask the world to act while doing nothing ourselves. We must do our part,” he said.
Mr Marape called for climate funding to reach communities directly, particularly those needing essential infrastructure and protection from rising sea levels.
He also reaffirmed PNG’s support for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, warning that every fraction of a degree mattered to Pacific island and coastal communities.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and a delegation will represent PNG at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.