Statement to Parliament
by
M T SOMARE GCL GCMG CH CF K St J
Prime Minister
On the Establishment of the Office of Climate Change & Environment Sustainability
[Parliament House, 15 May 2008]Mr Speaker
I seek leave of the House to make a short statement on climatic change and sustainability of the environment.
Mr Speaker
As a nation, we need to prepare for the challenges posed by climate change, as well as take advantage of the opportunities it presents.
The daily problems faced by our maritime provinces due to rising sea levels - and the recent disaster caused by Cyclone Guba in Oro Province - have surely brought home the huge costs associated with climate change.
Preparing to reduce the impact of these events is a major social, economic and environmental challenge for PNG.
Sadly, these events are becoming more frequent around the world too.
Mr Speaker
Indeed, the global community has accepted that climate change is a real threat that requires immediate and urgent action.
At the climate change meeting in Bali last December, the global community accepted the need to urgently reduce carbon emissions, and endorsed the inclusion of the Reduction in Emission & Degradation & Deforestation (REDD) Initiative in the Bali Action Plan as a key mechanism for reducing emissions.
Several developed countries including the UK, Norway and Australia have already committed about seven (7) billion Kina to kick-start action to reduce emissions, and prepare for the negative impacts from climate change.
Brazil and the Congo have already received funding of about K270m each to support their strategies in reducing carbon emissions.
Mr. Speaker
At the global level, Papua New Guinea has already taken leadership on the issue. We are the co-chair of the Coalition of Rainforest Nations.
But, we are now preparing to follow through with our own domestic action on how to tackle these climate change challenges.
Mr Speaker
I have had close consultation with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Environment & Conservation, and other key Ministers because the issue of climate change and sustainability of the environment is an important development goal of this government.
However, this issue and the associated economic challenges are not easily understood within government and the wider community.
These issues will definitely affect most sectors of the economy and agencies of government.
Therefore, a separate, strong and dedicated Office of Climate Change is required to facilitate the development of a whole-of-government approach to policies and action plans for climate change.
The Office will ensure these issues are properly reflected in sectoral policies and plans.
Mr. Speaker
It is with this in mind that Cabinet took the decision to create the Office of Climate Change & Environment Sustainability.
We will shortly announce the appointment of an acting Director to oversee the establishment of this important Office.
The Office will draw on expertise from across the government and internationally to develop effective responses to both the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change.
The commitments already made by developed nations clearly indicates that the global community is prepared to invest significant amounts of funds towards the REDD and other climate change initiatives.
Support from donors has also been encouraging.
Mr Speaker,
The PNG Office will need to quickly develop a REDD strategy and a broader Climate Change Policy Action Plan to demonstrate our commitment to working with the global community to reduce emissions.
Consistent with the Department of Environment & Conservation “New Strategic Directions (2007)” initiatives, the functions of the OCC&ES can be described under five main headings;
- Development of CC&ES policy, management of international issues, and generation and dissemination of information;
- Sustainable management and protection of land, water and bio-diversity;
- Securing reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation;
- Identifying and measuring climate change impacts and preparing responses; and
- Establishing the “Designated National Authority” (for facilitating emissions reduction projects under the Clean Emissions reduction projects under the Clean Development Mechanism).
Mr Speaker
A specific emphasis of the Office will be to collaborate and consult with key departments and agencies in policy formulation.
This constructive engagement with the departments of Environment & Conservation, Forestry, Agriculture, Petroleum & Energy, Treasury, National Planning and Monitoring, Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General & Justice.
This will be critical to the success of our efforts.
Appropriate funding will be made available to enable the Office to function properly.
The government also anticipates that within six months, the Office will be self-sufficient by generating its own funds through deforestation initiatives.
Mr Speaker
The Office and carbon trade initiatives will have a positive impact on the way we manage the environment and our future economic development.
Implementation of the “New Strategic Directions (2007)” can only be met by enhanced organisational and technical manpower resources.
The global community will be expecting strong political support for deforestation strategy and in-country action to reduce emissions from forests. These will be identified in the development of our strategy.
The Office will take the lead in this regard.
Mr Speaker,
I am pleased to announce that PNG is already witnessing some real action on the domestic front.
In fact, later today, the government will play host to the Norway Minister for Environment and his delegation, as well as officials from the Prince Charles Rainforest Project, as they explore areas of cooperation on climate change and environment sustainability.
The Norwegian Minister is also scheduled to visit the Hunstein Ranges in Ambunti as part of their visit.
As a follow up, I will address an EU gathering on politics of climate change in Austria in July. On my way back, I will also be holding talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the UK on the same issue.
Mr Speaker
The Government’s obligations under the various international environment conventions and treaties will be managed by the Office of Climate Change & Environment Sustainability, including international negotiations.
The Organic Law on Provincial & Local Government also requires that aspects of environment and sustainable development strategies and plans be decentralised to the provinces and districts.
Enhanced consultation between this Office and the provincial implementing agencies and the private sector will therefore be crucial as well.
The setting up of this Office is certainly a step in the right direction so that PNG benefits through initiatives like carbon trade.
Importantly, it also reflects the government’s firm resolve to protecting our fragile environment.
We owe this to our children and future generations.
Thank you.
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