Papua New Guinea (PNG) has both very low absolute emissions and relatively low per capita emissions. The nation is, however, committed to also be a responsible global citizen contributes meaningfully to the reduction of global emissions by transitioning to a low carbon economy.
PNG shares the deep concerns of its nearby Pacific Island neighbours in terms of existential threats to some of the more vulnerable low lying countries. In addition there are the same existential threats to coastal and low lying areas of PNG itself.
From a historical perspective, PNG’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been negligible and the state of the economy is such that the main burden for any mitigation undertaken by the country must be the responsibility of the developed countries that have been primarily responsible for the bulk of the world’s emissions.
The primary mitigation effort of PNG lies in reducing emissions from land use change and forestry. PNG can contribute to addressing the global mitigation gap by reducing deforestation and promoting forest conservation and sustainable management of its forests. The main forestry effort will be coordinated though the existing REDD+ initiative.
However, PNG ‘s current economic development is seeing a growth in fuel use therefore a big effort will be to reduce fossil fuel emissions in the electricity generation sector by transitioning as far as possible to using renewable energy. The target in this respect will be 100% renewable energy by 2030, contingent on funding being made available. In addition PNG will improve energy efficiency sector wide and reduce emissions where possible in the transport and forestry sectors. The main forestry effort will be coordinated though the existing REDD+ initiative.
In summary PNG is committed to assist in global mitigation efforts but the country’s effort will be contingent on external, adequate and predictable funding being made available. In addition it is likely that in the near term GHG emissions will need to rise with economic growth to enable severe developmental problems to be resolved.