PAPUA NEW GUINEA is working towards establishing the Pacific region’s first Blue Carbon Policy to protect its vital blue carbon ecosystems. This National Blue Carbon Policy aims to provide a framework for the conser-vation and sustainable management of these ecosystems.
A two-day National Blue Carbon Policy Roadmap Consultation Workshop, themed “The Pathway towards PNG’s Blue Carbon Policy,” was held from 21 to 22 August at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. Organized by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and the Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA), with support from international partners like The Nature Conservancy and the Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon (MACBLUE) project, the workshop marked a significant step in integrating PNG’s diverse blue carbon ecosystems - mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes into the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
Acting Managing Director of CCDA, Debra Sungi, emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating, “Article 5 of the Paris Agree-ment calls for the conservation of sinks to achieve the long-term temperature goals of 1.5 degrees Celsius. The country has a diverse area of blue carbon ecosystems, and so the government hopes to incorpo-rate this into the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and establish a roadmap for a Blue Carbon Policy.”
Sungi highlighted that the workshop is a continuation of efforts that began last year with an initial consultation. “We are involv-ing different stakeholders to understand various activities across sectors, which will guide us in developing this policy.”
She stressed the need for a national frame-work to align activities related to liveli-hoods, conservation, and ecotourism, which are currently operating without co-ordinated governance. The workshop’s outcomes are expected to culminate in a final-ized policy framework by March next year. “For the inventory, we should have some work completed by October or November, which will feed into our biannual transpar-ency report to be submitted to UNFCCC by December,” Sungi added.
The workshop also aimed to address gaps and challenges in creating a robust Blue Carbon Policy. Jude Tukuliya, Managing Di-rector of CEPA, noted, “Protecting and con-serving blue carbon ecosystems, as well as restoring degraded sites, is outlined clearly in the national marine program. This is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity.”
Yvonne Tio, Executive Manager of Marine Environment Conservation and Environment Protection Authority highlighted the policy’s significance as a first in the Pacific. “Blue carbon ecosystems are among the most efficient natural systems for seques-tering carbon. To ensure their long-term protection, we must develop and implement a comprehensive Blue Carbon Policy.”
She also reflected on the historical context of marine conservation in PNG, referencing past challenges such as the Nautilus deep-sea mining project and the Coral Triangle Initiative on Fisheries and Food Security in 2009, which set the stage for current blue carbon efforts.
The workshop included key stakeholders from government bodies, provincial administrations, academia, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations. Presentations covered critical aspects like inventory, data collection, mapping, reporting requirements, legal and institutional arrangements, financing, and international commitments.
The MACBLUE project, jointly implemented by the Pacific Community, the Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Pacific), plays a crucial role in supporting PNG’s blue carbon goals. Raphael Linzatti, MACBLUE Project Director, stressed Germany’s commitment to the initiative, stating, “To win the fight against the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis, we must conserve and sustainably use what remains intact.”
The Nature Conservancy’s involvement aligns with its long-term work with local communities in PNG. Ruth Konia, Country Director, highlighted the workshop’s importance, saying, “We recognized a gap in policy for managing blue carbon. Our aim is to support communities in benefiting from and protecting their resources.”
PNG’s blue carbon policy aims to set am-bitious targets for carbon mitigation and ensure that local communities benefit from the conservation of their vital coastal eco-systems. The workshop, supported by The Nature Conservancy and the MACBLUE project, represents a significant step in this important initiative.
Caption: Attendees of the two-day Nation-al Blue Carbon Policy Roadmap Consultation Workshop, themed “The Pathway towards PNG’s Blue Carbon Policy,” held from 21 to 22 August at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby. Attendees included key stakeholders from various sectors, government bodies, provincial administrations, academia, non-governmental organisations, and community-based organisations. The workshop was organised by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and the Conservation and En-vironmental Protection Authority (CEPA) with the support of international partners, including The Nature Conservancy and the Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon (MACBLUE) project.
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