Minister Highlights PNG’s Efforts In Renewable Energy and Climate Mitigation Measures

AUTHORIZED FOR RELEASE

Papua New Guinea is committed to addressing climate change adaptation while at the same time contribute to the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a party to the Paris Agreement.

Minister for Forest Honorable Walter Schnaubelt made the statement during the conversation on renewable energy transitions and financial access options for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The meeting was organized as a side event of the Climate and Biodiversity week at the Expo2020 in Dubai.

Minister Schnaubelt said PNG had submitted Adaptation and Mitigation commitments in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in December 2020 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Our mitigation commitments focus on two largest emitting sectors inclusive of the Energy and Agriculture, Forestry and other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors,” he said.

“We plan to generate 78% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and we have identified a portfolio of actions outlined in the PNG NDC Implementation Plan 2021-2030 that will deliver concrete changes in our development pathway and achieve the NDC targets,” he said.

The revised Implementation Plan 2021- 2030 will be launched on the 8th of October 2021 in parallel with the climate change and biodiversity thematic week in Papua New Guinea. The highlights will also include the launch of the Climate Change (Management) NDC Regulation (2021) and the NDC Implementation Plan Roadmaps for the Electricity and AFOLU sector.

The development and launching of the strategic roadmaps signals PNG’s efforts to take action on climate change impacts.

Minister Schnaubelt said the Government has identified a number of renewable energy projects to facilitate sustainable development, including in rural communities, totaling over USD 100m.

He said however that the challenge was to access funding as well as technical support in packaging and delivering these projects.

“As such, the NDC commitments are conditional and subject to the availability of international technical and financial assistance”, Minister. Schnaubelt said.

Approved for release by:

Hon. Walter Schnaubelt, MP

Minister for Forest

Expo 2020 Dubai

5th October 2021