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Pope Francis emphasizes equal sharing of resources

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Pope Francis emphasize equal sharing of resources

Papua New Guinea is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, a proclamation even Pope Francis acknowledges.

But Papua New Guinea is also challenged with socio-economic developments that do not reach the rural majority despite the presence of numerous extractive industries.

The Pontiff in his remarks this morning at the APEC Haus said Papua New Guinea besides consisting of islands and languages, is also rich in natural resources.

“These goods are destined by God for the entire community.

“Even if outside experts and large international companies must be involved in the harnessing of these resources, it is only right that the needs of local people are given due consideration when distributing the proceeds and employing workers, to improve their living conditions.

“These environmental and cultural treasures represent at the same time a great responsibility, because they require everyone, civil authorities and all citizens, to promote initiatives that develop natural and human resources in a sustainable and equitable manner,” said Pope Francis.

Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae in acknowledging the work of the Catholic Church in the country also requested the Pope in his capacity as a world leader to help advocate on Climate Change and its impacts that is felt by small island nations like PNG.

“Climate change is real and is affecting the lives of our people in the remote Islands of Papua New Guinea.

“Across the Pacific, islands are sinking and are affected and displaced.

“We seek your prayers and support for global action and advocacy on climate change, we need to let the world know that there is no more time.

“What the world needs is commitment for action,” Sir Bob said.

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Climate Change

Veraibari, A Village on the Verge of Disappearing

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Old housing standing in front of a destroyed beach.

The majestic Kikori River, one of the life-lines of the Great Papuan Plateau, spanning 144km meandering into the Gulf Delta holds an abundance of flora and fauna that has sustained the local people for generations.

For as long as the Veraibari villagers can recall, they have never felt threatened by this majestic wonder, until recent years.

Mr Tofinga Isaiah remembers a village that once had long sandy beaches and hundreds of mangroves as buffers, protecting the village.

The village sits at the mouth of the Kikori River. The long sandy beach is now, only a memory for Isaiah.

Memories his children and grand children will never have.

As the sea level continues to rise, it floods the basin, pushing water further back inland, affecting villagers that have lived in harmony with the river and the sea for many years.

A picture of a house standing in a pool of water caused by rising sea levels at Veraibari village.

Sea level rise is an effect of climate change, due to the extreme releases of green house gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the atmosphere by manufacturing companies throughout the world.

Developed countries emit 90% of the total green house gas emissions.

And while the government cuts deals with developed countries to claim climate funds and donor assistance, the very people suffering from the impact of rising sea levels are left clueless about their future.

A youth leader, Gary Toru said they have a fair idea of what climate change is, but they need help to put a stop to it. He spoke in “tok pisin”.

“Mipla save olsem long overseas, ol kukim planti oil na gas na displa kamapim climate change. Mipla lukim senis kamap long ples so mipla nid long stopim displa climate change”. (We understand that the burning of oil and gas by countries abroad is causing climate change. We are seeing the impact first hand so we need to stop climate change).

Seeing the knowledge gap and its challenges, Piku Biodiversity Network (PBN) has stepped in to assist Veraibari villagers understand the global aspect of climate change and how the impact is felt locally.

Two men looking at a rundown shelter that looks like it used to be a house.

Director and founder of PBN, Yolanie Amepau said it’s important for the impacted villages to understand, that what they are experiencing is the changing of the climate.

“They also have to understand words such as impact and adaptation and mitigation,” she explained.

“The word climate change is new. It’s new to a lot of communities.

“We know a lot of communities that are being dispossessed because of climate change and Veraibari is one of them. Veraibari is a village caught between the river and the sea.

“The workshops we conduct is to understand their interpretation of climate change and how they plan to address the negative impacts”.

The workshop sees representatives from organizations such as Environment Defenders and the Climate Change Development Authority together with Piku Biodiversity working together to demonstrate collaboration in addressing this crisis.

Ms Amepau said the community leaders are looking at relocating the village and that exercise would cost over a million kina; money the villagers don’t have.

But while plans for relocation are on foot, Isaiah thinks the only solution for now, is building a sea wall.

“I think the only solution we believe to help us control the climate change forcing waves, is to build a sea wall. We tried other solutions but it has not worked.”

Fishing net tied to two sticks placed in the centre of a pool of water at Veraibari village.

Isaac said the other land belongs to someone else, they simply cannot infringe. His concern is they would not have the freedom to hunt, make gardens and gather food freely to sustain their families.

While non-government organizations continue to assist with capacity building so villagers are in a better position to help themselves, the solution to protect their village and their people is in their hands.

The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) unfortunately do not have the funding to assist, despite thousands of kina being committed by donor agencies.

The Acting Managing Director for CCDA, Ms Debora Sungi confirmed that most funds are parked with implementing agencies for capacity building workshops only.

CCDA is in the process of creating policies that will see a 5% equity from Carbon Deals retained by the authority to assist communities who are impacted by climate change.

For now, as negotiations continue at the top level and globally, for communities such as Veraibari village, they will have to summon community resilience and strength that has existed for generations to adapt to the new conditions in the village and also come up with community-based solutions to mitigate the impacts.

**This article was produced with the support of Internews Earth Journalism Network**

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Climate Change

Tuvalu Drowning Within Decades

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Tuvalu Drowning

Tuvalu, a picturesque island nation nestled in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean is currently grappling with a relentless onslaught of storm surges and towering waves, wreaking havoc on coastal communities.

As with most island nations, spring tides occur, in the case of Tuvalu, February’s king tides is nothing like before.  The island’s one main road has succumbed to the fury of nature, submerged beneath torrents of seawater, exacerbating the already dire situation faced by Tuvaluans.

With this year’s storm surges and the rising sea inundating vital transportation routes, many of the island’s inhabitants are questioning their future in the face of unyielding climate crisis.  The only main road, the lifeline connecting communities and providing the flow of essential services recently became an impassable river filled with water, displaced rocks and coastal waste.

The flooding of the main road in Tuvalu has taken its toll on underground electricity generation.  Homes, business and essential services are now grappling with the harsh reality of life without electricity for hours even days.  This not only disrupts daily lives but also poses significant risks to public health safety.  Papua New Guinea, the largest island in the pacific also face such ferocity within its coastal communities.

Scientists have predicted that Tuvalu might be submerged within 50 to 100 years but Tuvaluans are optimistic.  Many young people are questioning themselves whether to continue living in Tuvalu and what the future holds for them and their families.  The spectre of displacement and the ever-present threat of climate related devastation loom large, provoking deep seated concerns about the sustainability of life on the island.

Related: https://insidepng.com/community-awareness-on-climate-change-unre/

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Climate Change

Mangrove Project for Hansa Bay Area

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Mangrove Project

Climate Change and the rise in sea level is very concerning, the devastation caused to the Coast line is inevitable. The rural population in Papua New Guinea cannot cope with the loss of their coastline and the threat to their eco system.

But what can Papua New Guineans do but take the lead in mitigating the effects of climate change? The Hansa bay area in Bogia District Madang Province is losing it’s coast line and the inhabitants are struggling to keep their marine eco system intact for future generations.

Hamex Rupia is from Southern Highlands Province but has built a livelihood and found a home in the Hanasa Bay area, along Bogia District in Madang Province. He has become a part of the community and he is one of the members in the community that has stood up to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

His organization, GTEN Fundraiser Network Inc, is leading the way in the Hansa Bay mangrove nursery and planting. He says communities have taken the initiative to start planting mangroves to help protect their coastline from the rising tides.

Mangroves provide natural infrastructure to help protect nearby populated areas by reducing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme weather events. They are also important to the ecosystem as their dense roots help bind and build soils.

Hamex and his community through the GEF Small Grants funding administered by the UNDP, started a nursery of mangrove plants, up to 10,000 mangrove plants are at their green house, and are slowly maturing. Hamex says they will wait for the second part of funding before they can do transplanting of the mangrove plants.

The community has struggled to get a decent catch close to their coastline, and are hoping for changes when the mangrove project is in full swing. They hope more fish will come thanks to the Mangroves that will cover the coastline.

There are also war relics and burial sites from World War II, which the community say has been under threat by rising sea levels. Hamex said some of the war relics have been destroyed by the sea. The community sees this as a Eco Tourism project. Hamex added that the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has funded restoration of some of the War relics in the Hansa Bay area.

Hamex says they look to benefit from changes in their eco system as well in future.

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Climate Change

Community Based Organizations get Capacity Building Training

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Capacity Building Training

Environment Conservation is important in the modern age, with the effects of climate change, due to the extractive industry, industrialization and population growth, our natural environment is kept under stress.

Despite the challenges faced by rural Papua New Guinea, there are concerned citizens who see the need to take part in environmental conservation efforts.

The (GEF) Small Grants program which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program. It provides grants of up to 50,000 USD, directly to CSOs and community-based organizations (CBO’s). This is for grantees to undertake local projects that contribute to the global environment while generating sustainable livelihoods.

Local NGOs in Papua New Guinea that receive these grants go through basic capacity building. Which includes training in leadership and project management. This will help these small Community Based Organizations to manage funding and also in future be well equipped to apply for further funding to sustain their projects.

The Capacity training for Southern, Momase and the NGI regions was held in Port Moresby. This was facilitated by Conservation Forum PNG, with John Ericho as the facilitator.

Whilst the patrons of these projects are experienced in their capacity to drive their projects forward, they still need further training especially in management and sourcing further funding for project longevity. That’s why the one week training held in Port Moresby was important.

John added that there was a host of successful projects. Which included, Carbon Trading, Mangrove Planting and Coral conservation just to name a few. These projects are run by community based organizations that involve the whole community working together.

The team even visited a site where there is a coral rehabilitation program. The project is called Hiri Coral and it is located in the Tubusereia area of Central Province along the Motuan Coastline.

John Ericho says he believes that it is the community themselves that are responsible for conservation. He added that they own the resources and decide how to use it and if whether or not they want to take part in environment conservation as well.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/carbon-trading-benefitting-communities/

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Climate Change

Response to Climate Change

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Bougainville Climate Change

Implementation work on a set of areas outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are expected to kick off in Bougainville, this month. The MOA signed in July between the Bougainville Government’s Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Environment and Conservation and the National Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) is desired to counter effects of Climate Change.

Key areas under this Agreement include these four crucial areas:

  1. Activity Plan for Climate Change Action in AROB: The teams will develop a comprehensive strategy to combat climate change in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).
  2. Capacity Building – ICT and Communications Training: Plans are underway to conduct training sessions aimed at enhancing the technological and communication capabilities necessary for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation.
  3. Establishment of the AROB Climate Change Committee: A dedicated committee will be formed to spearhead climate change initiatives within the region.
  4. Medium & Long Term Plan for Climate Change Policy and Legislation: A robust plan for the development of climate change policies and legislation tailored to Bougainville’s unique circumstances will be devised in alignment with the ABG’s long term and medium term plans.

This actions comes after an initial visit by authorities to Pewana village, Koromira, Arawa Coast, Loloho and Teperoi communities.

In Teperoi Primary School, the land is under imminent threat due to continuous erosion caused by rising sea levels and wave action.

Bougainville Climate Change

The implementation of the MOA reflects the commitment of both the ABG and the CCDA to building a strong foundation for the region’s climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, and a sustainable future in Bougainville.

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Grants for Research Work

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Climate Research Grants

The Australian Government has announced it will support research work towards Papua New Guinea’s Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Policy.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jon Philp said this will be through the form of grants offered to the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)

These funding support will is aimed at emerging cohort of climate researchers from PNG to deliver evidence-based research in support of PNG’s climate goals.

The grants will support eligible Master’s and Doctoral students in a one year program of research and the findings during the study which will be presented at the Third National Climate Change Summit next year.

It will be delivered in partnership with CCDA, the National Research Institute (NRI), and the PNG Science and Technology Secretariat.

This joint initiative between PNG and Australia is one component of Australia’s dedication to support PNG implement the climate national adaptation and mitigation goals.

Part of this partnership included the facilitating of a team of international experts from the Australian National University to attend the National Climate Change Summit in Port Moresby.

Presentations made by climate change specialists from Australia included topics on climate challenges faced by communities in the Pacific Region and how to identify solutions.

The topics covered blended finance options for climate adaptation, climate justice and social inclusion, and new research to trial carbon trading through coffee farming.

Meanwhile the application information for the climate research grant opportunities will be available on the Climate Change and Development Authority website following the conclusion of the Summit.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/new-climate-change-regulation-to-improve-carbon-trading/

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Business

Pacific Island Ministers East New Britain Initiative

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Pacific Island Ministers East New Britain Initiative meeting

Seven Fisheries Ministers and Heads of Fisheries Departments from the Pacific Region converged into East New Britain at the start of this month led by the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources of Papua New Guinea, Jelta Wong for the Pacific Island Ministers East New Britain Initiative.

The Ministers and departmental heads were all invited to sit in on two high-level meetings to discuss key issues related to fisheries management, conservation, and sustainable development in the Pacific region.

The Forum Fisheries Committee meeting based on the U.S treaty distribution of funds was the first on the agenda. This meeting provided the platform for all heads of Fisheries in the Pacific to dialogue on how best to distribute the US$6million provided by the U.S Government to island nations that are members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) treaty.

Pacific Island Ministers East New Britain Initiative meeting
Justin Ilakini, NFA Managing Director.

Managing Director of the National Fisheries Authority, Justin Ilakini said: “the aim of this meeting is to broker a deal amongst all parties involved to reach an agreement on an equal distribution of the funds to aid in development of the sector in smaller island nations of the Pacific Region.

The second meeting, the Pacific Island Ministers East New Britain Initiative saw PNG take the lead in providing the platform for Pacific Ministers across the region to create dialogue in addressing two key issues.

The first being climate change and the second, to tap into opportunities to maximize economic returns from the Pacific’s shared tuna resource.

Mr Ilakini in a press conference in Kokopo expressed hope that the leaders will identify practical ways of implementing the forum leaders’ development aspirations as contained in the Blue Pacific Continent.

“We are leading the initiative and providing the platform for our Pacific Island leaders to have the opportunity to have a voice in speaking from their own National Levels to see how we can collaborate as a region to drive the Pacific Island interest going forward in this multi-million-dollar industry which we have come to know as one of the most lucrative industries that we have; the tuna industry.”

To this, PNG’s Minister for Fisheries explained that the whole meet was to create a purpose for the region and showcase what the region is capable of doing in this space.

He further elaborated that the focus is on creating more wealth for the Pacific and controlling the stocks of the Pacific’s shared tuna resources against world players in the global tuna market.

“It’s better that if we stand united as one, the world will know that they can’t come and pick us off one by one”

Minister Wong said, that the initiative further aims to foster dialogue on better ways to mitigate Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing; capitalize on the tuna resource; and ensure that the Pacific gets the best value from its shared tuna resource.

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Climate Change

New Climate Change Regulation to Improve Carbon Trading

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Papua New Guinea has some of the largest areas of forest in the world, but measures to conserve the environment through the sale of carbon credits has been unfair for local land owners in the country.

Recent media reports and investigations have uncovered that most in rural areas in Papua New Guinea have little to no knowledge of the complexity of carbon credits and Carbon trading. In turn they are being taken advantage of by those in the business.

Debra Sungi, the acting General Manager Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) at the Climate Change Development Authority, says the absence of proper regulatory framework has allowed for the exploitation of landowners in rural Papua New Guinea.

(Left) Debra Sungi – Acting General Manager Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), Climate Change Development Authority and (Center) CCDA Acting Managing Director William Lakain attending a stakeholders meeting on Friday.

A moratorium on the PNG REDD+ Voluntary Carbon Market Project has the Climate Change Development Authority and stake holders pushing for the Climate Change (Management) (Carbon Market) Regulation 2023 to be approved by the Government.

The document was rigorously debated since 2022 and is the answer to the problem. It will aid in the process of carbon emissions trading in domestic and international approach. Guided by international rules under the Conference of Parties COP 26 Article 6.

Carbon Trade
Carbon Trade
Carbon Trade
CCDA and Stake holders meeting held at Hilton Hotel on the 18th of this month.

A stake holders meeting was held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby on Friday to debate and present the final draft of the Climate Change (Management) (Carbon Markets) Regulation 2023. And also to Validate the Climate Change (Management) (Carbon Markets) Regulation 2023.

The amendment of the regulation has gone into the second stage and as the national designated authority responsible for Carbon Markets, CCDA is certain that the regulation will help make sure maximum benefit goes to the land owners.

Related: https://insidepng.com/research-and-conservation-of-pngs-biodiversity/

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19 officials now equipped with proposal writing skills to access climate finance opportunities

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Nineteen officials from government and non-government organizations (NGOs) were awarded certificates today for actively participating in a six weeklong online Dedicated Mentoring Program (DMP) held from April – June 2023.  The DMP aimed to train government officials across different sectors on the development of project concept notes and funding proposals to access international climate finance through the Green Climate Fund Mechanism to fund Papua New Guinea’s climate actions. 

The participants also participated in a five weeklong Green Growth Fellowship Program (GGFP) held from May – June 2023. The GGFP aimed at providing support to Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and relevant national and provincial government staff in providing green growth policy advisory support, including low-carbon growth and sustainable development advice.

Acting Managing Director of CCDA William Lakain congratulated the participants and described both programs as critical for broadening their knowledge and skills in developing climate finance projects, and green growth policy interventions towards a low carbon growth in Papua New Guinea.

“These two programs are very important and should be supported into the future as it will greatly improve the knowledge and skills of government officials on key areas such as developing project concept notes and providing policy advisory support on low carbon growth and sustainable development”, said Mr. Lakain.

The participants were also the first to receive their certificates under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Climate Change and Development Authority with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the three Universities; the University of PNG (UPNG), University of Technology and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) to run the programs.

DFAT Australia was represented at the ceremony by Mr Nic Jonsson, the Counsellor Economics at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.  Mr Jonsson said Australia was very proud to fund the DMP and GGFP knowing the value it added will help build the capacity of the Government of PNG and NGOs to access international climate finance and render quality climate change policy advice. 

Ms. Priscilla Pep, one of the participants expressed that these two programs are very important because currently, workplaces are becoming more competitive as new ideas or skills are introduced.

“These programs have helped us upscaled our knowledge in building and managing projects at different scales be it private or public sectors”, said Ms. Pep.

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