GGGI INKS AN AGREEMENT WITH PNG TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN ACCESSING CLIMATE FINANCE, A GESTURE FITTING TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

GGGI signs an Implementation Agreement with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to provide support in accessing climate finance

Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of GGGI and Mr. Ruel Yamuna, Managing Director of the Climate Change and Development Authority 

By GGGI

SEOUL, Republic of Korea, 4/06/ 2018 (GGGI) - The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed an agreement to implement a Green Climate Fund (“GCF”) project as a delivery partner for the Independent State of Papua New Guinea’s Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA).

The Implementation Agreement was signed by Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of GGGI and Mr. Ruel Yamuna, Managing Director of the Climate Change and Development Authority of Papua New Guinea at the GGGI Seoul headquarters on May 31.

Under the Agreement, GGGI will support CCDA to strengthen its role as a National Designated Authority (“NDA”) to engage with, and access funds from GCF. Further, under close consultations with CCDA, GGGI will implement activities described in the Readiness Project, which include strengthening country capacity, engaging stakeholders in consultative processes and supporting private sector mobilization – all of which will help address climate resilience and low-carbon development.

This Implementation Agreement will help GGGI to provide support for Papua New Guinea (PNG) in accessing climate finance to address its adaptation and mitigation needs as it is one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse effects of climate change.

PNG is one of the 13 founding Members of GGGI, having expressed commitment to support the organization at the 2012 Rio+20 Summit.

GGGI was selected as PNG’s Delivery Partner to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) readiness project in 2017. In November 2017, GGGI conducted the first national workshop on accessing climate finance, where cross-sectoral stakeholders gathered to identify common challenges that the country faces in accessing climate finance, address potential solutions, and understand how GGGI can further support PNG to build relevant capacity, strengthen coordination and develop innovative climate project proposals. The GCF readiness project, in the amount of $667,427 with a 24-month implementation period, was approved by GCF on December 18, 2017.

GGGI signs an Implementation Agreement with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to provide support in accessing climate finance

About Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)

Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) is national government entity that coordinates the Climate Change efforts of the Government of Papua New Guinea established under Climate Change Management Act (CCMA) 2015. It is the coordinating entity for all climate change related policies and actions in the country. Additionally, it is the designated National Authority under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

CCDA is tasked with ensuring that Papua New Guinea follows a path of climate-compatible growth; that the country’s economy develops while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing vulnerability to climate change related risks.

About the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports developing country governments transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in 27 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects and publications can be found on www.gggi.org.

PNG MUST DO MORE TO HONOUR ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ENVIRONMENT ONSHORE, FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD

PNG MUST DO MORE TO HONOUR ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ENVIRONMENT ONSHORE, FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD


 As host of almost a third of the world's tropical rainforest, Papua New Guinea has a moral obligation and a responsibility to the next generation and to the entire world to do all it can to protect and conserve the rainforest and its natural environment.

 This is a bold statement from NCD Governor Honourable  Powes Parkop who said : "We must fulfill this responsibility to ourselves and to the world."

Picture of Port Moresby

           
Mr Parkop made this call when announcing the city’s plan and preparation for the forthcoming World Environment Day on the 5th of June 2018.

In making the announcement, Govenror Parkop also called on the National Government to declare 5th of June, a National Day of Action to Protect the Environment by stopping work and schools and getting everyone to clean up and plant trees. He also called on city residents to come this Saturday to clean the city as part of their commitment to World Environment and to the City.

 Night view of Port Moresby

Speaking at the end of his weekly walk on Sunday morning, Governor Parkop said the City Hall was serious in its commitment to making the city liveable, peaceful and active but also beautiful, healthy and clean through conducting awareness for action on this very important day in which the global community is asked to reaffirm its commitment to protect the country's natural environment.

“We are important to the rest of the world. We have a responsibility to them equally as we have a responsibility to ourselves. Parts of Europe, Asia, America and Africa are breathing artificial air because they have sacrificed their natural environment for economic development. We can’t follow them. We must protect what we have and share with the world so that we can contribute to a greater future for humanity and the world. Therefore, we must continue to preserve it as we owe it to the world and its inhabitants. Let us do our part to look after God’s creation,” he said.

NCD Governor Honourable Powes Parkop

Earlier this month, NCDC committed K150, 000 to support the government’s ban on plastic bags and products-through the Ministry of Environment and Conservation-under a cleaner city campaign-to buy them from residents

"As a City, we can’t do much to protect the rainforest and regrow or replant those trees that are being cut for log export and timber but we will do all we can to draw attention to the need to protect the rainforest, the natural environment and the need to have a clean and peaceful environment. As we are  celebrating the World Environment Day, let us remind ourselves that we have to keep doing all we can to continue to maintain a clean city, taking in all steps to deal with environmental issues and cleanliness in the city'" he said.

Governor Parkop has also joined the chorus of growing concern over cutting down of trees without replacing them, seabed mining and other human activities that are detrimental to the environment.

The day falls on June 5 which is next Tuesday but the commission has decided to celebrate it earlier with a cleanthon from Boroko to Gordons this Saturday the 2nd of June.  On Sunday, 3rd June, the regular Walk for Life will be converted to Walk for Our Environment, the source of our life!

Governor Parkop has invited all residents to clean up their own communities this Saturday and to also join in on Sunday for a massive show of commitment to protecting our environment.

“I appeal to all residents to join me  in the celebrations by cleaning our suburbs, villages and settlements to make it a clean and a beautiful place to live and to show our commitment to protect our natural environment”

He said with the support of the Environment and Conservation Minister, he is pushing for a public holiday to be declared on the day to show the rest of the world that the country is really serious in fulfilling its commitment of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The theme for this year is ‘Beating Plastic Pollution.’

Govenror Parkop has extended a special invitation is to staff and Board of National Forestry Authority, CEFA, Department of Mining and Energy to join the cleanathon and walkathon as these are State agencies who need to multiply their efforts to protect our national environment.

He also called on other Government Departments and agencies, private sector, churches, NGOs and all other stakeholders to join the Commission in the activities in the lead up to the actual one next Tuesday.
#WorldEnvironmentDay2018
#Walk4Environment
#Walk_and_Yoga4life

Papua New Guinea Government is serious in banning imports, sales and use of plastic bags and products

BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS A WELCOME NEWS

By WANPIS AKO

The re-announcement-by the Minister for Environment and Conservation John Thomas Pundari on the ban of plastic bags- is being welcomed with open arms.

Prior to this, there has been a growing concern on environment pollution among NGOs, National Capital District Commission, environment and climate change experts, organisations, the Parliament and the individuals.

Wider literature materials show that a significant adverse impact plastics cause on the environment including food sources.

This is also sending a signal to the whole world that the government of PNG-via the ministry-has made a right move to honor its commitments as a party to the Paris Climate Accord.

Whilst announcing it yesterday, Minister Pundari said importers and makers of plastic bags were given a month for a round-table discussions with his department for a win-win solution.

The announcement on the ban was influenced largely by a study undertaken by the Department on bio-degradable bags.

Some corporate organisations like Bank of South Pacific and other have been advocate for a greener PNG.

Help PNG, a non-government organisation, has been pushing for in one of its project called ‘ban the bag.’

The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority is implementing the ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags and to control plastic shopping bags.

The Environment Policy 2009 (ban on non-biodegradable shopping plastic bags) and the Environment Regulation 2011 (control of biodegradable plastic shopping bags) govern the ban.

Pundari said the policy and regulation are supported by the PNG Customs Prohibition Imports (non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags) Policy 2009.

According to him, the import, sale and distribution of non-biodegradable shopping plastic bags were prohibited.

“If any persons or company fails to comply, they are penalised with a fine not exceeding K50,000 or imprisonment of not exceeding two years or both,” he said.

“All importers of biodegradable plastic shopping bags must have in their possession a valid Environment Permit before the shipment leaves country of origin.

“It is imperative for all importers of biodegradable plastic shopping bags to consult CEPA prior to importing as CEPA and Customs will not allow entry of all shipment without a valid environment permit," he said.

A nationwide compliance audit would be undertaken regarding the ban, he stated as a way forward.

Author Reference: Wanpis Ako has graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations. He has briefly worked with two daily newspapers of Papua New Guinea-The National and Post Courier. His work experience has been extended into the Prime Minister Media Unit and the office of Parliamentary Opposition Leader of Papua New Guinea- not to mention the Ministries of Treasury, Higher Education, Communications, Information Technology and Energy.  He has got over five years experience in digital marketing, branding, public affairs, media and public relations.