PNG first in the region with climate change law

“PNG now has laws to govern climate change issues, making it the first country in the Asia Pacific Region and third in the world after UK and Mexico,” said Varigini Badira, Director of the Office of Climate Change and Development.

He was speaking to local and regional journalists at the Pacific Island Forum media workshop today,    

The 2015 Climate Change Act was passed by parliament this year. 

“With the law in place, PNG will now embark on starting the transition into low carbon economy including strengthening its mitigation efforts through REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.”   

Badira told Loop PNG that the OCCD will monitor and police the new law using the recently launched Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS). 

“We can tell where logging is happening. We have a fair idea of what is happening on the ground because of satellite imaging.” 

“It is compulsory for the department of Lands, Mining and Forestry to submit all data to us for monitoring.” 

He said a penalty of K1miilion will be charged on any person or business found guilty of illegal logging.