A sustainable coffee development in Papua New Guinea (PNG), led by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) in collaboration with the Regional Pacific Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Hub, was the topic of a consultation held in Port Moresby, on 21 February. The consultation session aimed to discuss a new robust policy framework aimed at strengthening the country's coffee sector.
Ms Debra Sungi, Acting General Manager of CCDA, emphasized the importance of PNG in advancing its commitments under the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land-Use Sectors (AFOLU). These sectors, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021 assessment report, significantly contribute to climate change, contributing about 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, they also play a crucial role in mitigating climate extremes and variability, helping to reduce disaster risks and strengthen food security and livelihoods.
The NDCs, are detailed plans that outline how each country will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, tailored to their specific national circumstances. During the consultation on the coffee development in Port Moresby, Ms Sungi stated that PNG has set a challenging goal of reducing emissions by 10,000 Gigagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent, with a focus on emissions from deforestation and forest degradation caused by agricultural practices and logging. Referring to the NDC Implementation Roadmap for the AFOLU sector developed in 2021, she highlighted specific actions planned to achieve PNG's enhanced NDC targets by 2030, with a notable focus on promoting sustainable coffee development.
"The Government of PNG has solicited technical support from the Regional Pacific NDC Hub to spearhead the development of this framework," said Ms Sungi. "This framework will be instrumental in ensuring that the coffee sector embraces climate-smart imperatives while harmonising with pertinent national sectoral plans and policies."
This framework aims to provide direction for the development and thereafter implementation of PNG's Climate-Smart Coffee Policy, which aligns with national and sectoral priorities. It will help develop future documentation and guide coffee value chain stakeholders, including governments, development partners, NGOs, the private sector, and communities.
Mr. Amit Singh, Climate Change Project Development Specialist at the Regional NDC Hub housed within the Pacific Community (SPC), emphasised emphasized the consultation workshop's significance in advancing Papua New Guinea's (PNG) NDC goals. He highlighted PNG as an exemplary case of how innovative, sustainable business development, supported by the government, plays a pivotal role in providing a platform for stakeholders to contribute insights to the sector.
"It is essential for the government to align actions across international policy arenas, enhance ambition, expedite implementation, and measure outcomes in line with their country's mitigation objectives, ultimately contributing to the achievement of PNG’s NDC goals," he remarked.
Background information:
The NDC Hub was established by 14 Pacific Island Countries to support their climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. At COP23, it was formally launched to aid Pacific Island governments in implementing their NDCs through data, resources, and expertise. With a focus on sustainable development and resilience, it collaborates with global partners and receives support from donors like the European Union, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. This collective effort underscores the region's commitment to combatting climate change and fostering a low-carbon future.
For more information on the NDC Hub, visit https://pacificndc.org or https://pacificndc.org/pacific-ndcs/papua-new-guinea for more information on PNG’s NDCs progress.
Contacts:
Amit Singh, Climate Change Project Development Specialist, SPC | [email protected]
Angelica Salele, Climate Change Flagship Programme Communications Officer, SPC | [email protected]
