Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change (MECCC) has called for serious attention to climate changes around the world, calling on high emitting carbon Nations to maximize their potential resources to action against Climate Change.
Minister Simo Kilepa emphasized the urgency for swift action by high carbon emitting states to combat impacts of climate change hugely affecting small island states in the Pacific including PNG.
Citing the latest Synthesis Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he highlighted the severe impacts of human-caused climate change, stressing the urgent need for high-level political decisions to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement to keep the global temperature below 1.5 degree Celsius.
Addressing the summit leaders at the at the recent COP28 Leaders’ Summit, Kilepa reminded the international leaders of the Pacific Resilience’s Facility Roles and Obligations supported by the Pacific Leaders, compelling leaders to participate in contribution.
The Minister also announced forthcoming inclusive policies and laws aimed at mitigating societal issues and empowering vulnerable groups, aligning with the Medium-Term Development Plan 4 (2023–2027). One is the amendments to the country’s Climate Change Management Act which will now enable the implementation of the Carbon Market Regulation and increasing Results Based Payments for REDD+ credits.
The Bank of PNG’s proactive steps in developing a Green Finance Taxonomy and plan for a Green Finance Center was also emphasized. This initiative aims to streamline Green Finance applications, provide green finance literacy, and focus on refinancing for sustainable climate-resilience and low-to-zero carbon emission products.
Minister Kilepa concluded his statement by reiterating PNG’s serious political commitments to protecting forests, marine biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources. He called on high carbon emitting states to make new commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fulfil climate finance commitments to the Green Climate Fund.