Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has taken an important step towards strengthening how the country manages and reports on REDD+ safeguards, helping position the country to implement forest-based climate action in line with international standards and improve access to climate finance.
With support from the Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme (CFCSP), CCDA recently hosted a three-day REDD+ Safeguards Assessment and Compliance Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in Port Moresby, bringing together representatives from national agencies, NGOs and provincial representatives from Madang, East New Britain and West New Britain.
The workshop was designed to bring together national and provincial REDD+ agencies, alongside key stakeholders, to strengthen understanding of REDD+ safeguards and gather input to inform the development of practical operational tools needed to support safeguards compliance, social equity and inclusion.
Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, REDD+ safeguards are environmental, social and governance standards designed to ensure forest-based climate activities protect communities, biodiversity and rights, while maintaining integrity in how emissions reductions are measured and reported.
Opening the workshop, CCDA Acting Managing Director, Ms Debra Sungi, highlighted the importance of strong safeguards in PNG’s unique context.
We have a very challenging land tenure system in the country. When we talk about REDD+ activities, we know safeguards play a key role and must be guided well through our discussions.
The workshop was facilitated by 2 CFCSP-supported REDD+ Safeguards Specialists, Ms Diana Gora and Mr Giorgio Magistrelli. Ms Gora and Mr Magistrelli worked closely with CCDA counterparts, including REDD+ Officer, Mr Kenneth Nobi, to guide discussions and progress a draft Memoranda of Understanding, Terms of Reference and Standard Operating Procedures to support safeguard reporting and compliance.
The workshop provided an important opportunity bringing national and provincial stakeholders together to strengthen shared understanding of REDD+ safeguards, while also presenting CCDA’s work, identifying what is needed to progress, and gathering stakeholder feedback to inform practical tools that support safeguards compliance, social equity, and inclusion.
Mr Magistrelli emphasised the workshop formed part of a broader government-led process already underway.
It is important to note that this is an ongoing government effort. We are supporting CCDA to implement regulations that are already in place and now need to be rolled out, including at the provincial level.
CFCSP Team Leader, Mr Noa Seru, also attended the workshop and reaffirmed CFCSP’s commitment to supporting country-led priorities by helping strengthen the systems, governance and technical capacity needed to access and manage climate finance.
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Feature image (left to right): Giorgio Magistrelli, REDD+ Safeguards Specialist (left) and Bensolo Ken, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Manual Development Specialist (right) leading a group discussion at the REDD+ workshop. Giorgio and Bensolo’s roles are supported by the CFCSP.