The Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has successfully conducted a comprehensive three-day training session focused on the REDD+ Safeguards Information System (SIS) Platform. This critical training, held from July 24-26 at Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby, is a significant step forward in ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of PNG’s REDD+ implementation and reporting.
The training was aimed at building capacities, clarifying SIS information needs, and initiating institutional arrangements for the operationalization of PNG’s Safeguards Information System (SIS) and the preparation of the second National REDD+ Safeguard Summary of Information (SOI).
The REDD+ mechanism, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Results-based Payments (RBPs) have been consistently pursued by the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) through the CCDA and its REDD+ stakeholders. A key component in ensuring the integrity of the country’s reported REDD+ results is the ability to report on how PNG has addressed and respected the UNFCCC Cancun safeguards during REDD+ implementation.
In line with UNFCCC guidance, PNG established a REDD+ Safeguards Information System (SIS) and successfully submitted its initial REDD+ Safeguards Summary of Information in 2021, alongside its SIS Framework. Both submissions received National Executive Council approval through Decision 343/2020 before submission to the UNFCCC.
The GoPNG, along with its REDD+ stakeholders, is currently exploring opportunities under the LEAF Coalition utilizing the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) and the REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES). These frameworks require stringent safeguard reporting, prompting the need to upgrade and operationalize the national REDD+ Safeguards Information System (SIS) Platform.
Financial and technical support for the training was provided by The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European Union’s Forestry, Climate Change & Biodiversity Programme (EU-FCCB), and the UNREDD Programme.
“The establishment and effective operationalization of the Safeguards Information System is a crucial component to the country’s National REDD+ Strategy”, said Ms. Debra Sungi, Climate Change and Development Authority Acting Managing Director.
She further mentioned that this system not only ensures that we fulfill REDD+ Cancun Safeguards reporting requirements through enhancing transparency and accountability in our climate change mitigation efforts, but also goes further to provide an online resource to all sector agencies for safeguard implementation within the country.
Key REDD+ implementing sector agencies such as the PNG Forest Authority, the Conservation Environment and Protection Authority, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and others are now tasked with establishing focal points responsible for providing the required data and information. This will facilitate efficient information sharing and provision during the development of subsequent SOI’s to the UNFCCC.
Once operationalized, the SIS will enable PNG to collect and collate necessary data and information to inform numerous safeguards indicators, ensuring the country’s continued eligibility for Results-Based Payments for its reported REDD+ results.