Framework for climate services vital for PNG

Papua New Guinea needs to immediately apply science-based climate information and services in support of decision making and development planning.

This is part of a Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in which PNG has been made a focus country to implement the framework.

GFCS aims to enable society to better manage the risks and opportunities arising from climate change, especially for those who are most vulnerable to such risks.

GFCS covers five priority areas namely energy, agriculture and food security, water, health and disaster risk reduction.

The PNG National Weather Service (PNGNWS) is working with the University of PNG, Department of National Planning and Monitoring and Office of Climate Change to implement the framework.

PNGNWS director Samuel Maiha explained that the ongoing change of the climate and weather needs to be monitored closely to avoid the economy being greatly affected.

Maiha said every economy will be affected by weather and climate change so the planning department must make sure that the risks of mainly extreme weather events are included in the planning process.

“This global framework is very important because if we are not ready the government will begin to raid budgets to cater for these unplanned expenses.

“The framework is the avenue where the Government and companies can be smart in the management of the economy and businesses.

“We can be a very smart country if we consider climate change and weather patterns in the economy development and planning,” he said.

Maiha added that the Government needs to come up with some new initiatives to improve planning for each development sector as this is a new area of economic forward planning.

Author: 
Quintina Naime