The CCDA is the Papua New Guinea government's principal agency responsible for managing, coordinating, and leading national efforts on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable low-carbon development. Established to ensure effective policy-making, regulation, and implementation, the CCDA facilitates partnerships and compliance with international climate obligations, including the Paris Agreement.

The core responsibilities of CCDA include:
Developing and implementing national climate change policies and strategies.
Coordinating climate-related activities across government agencies and stakeholders.
Managing and reporting on national greenhouse gas inventories.
Facilitating compliance with international climate agreements, including UNFCCC and Article 6.
Overseeing the National Carbon Registry and the implementation of REDD+ initiatives.

REDD+ stands for "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation," a global initiative aimed at mitigating climate change by conserving forest resources and enhancing sustainable forest management. CCDA manages Papua New Guinea’s REDD+ programme, ensuring compliance with international safeguards, coordinating stakeholders, managing data, and overseeing carbon financing mechanisms.

CCDA actively supports capacity-building initiatives through training sessions, workshops, and educational programmes targeted at government agencies, local communities, private sector stakeholders, and civil society. It also disseminates climate-related information via publications, media campaigns, and public outreach activities.

CCDA hosts various reports, policy documents, and climate-related datasets on its official website (www.ccda.gov.pg). These resources include national communications, climate vulnerability assessments, carbon inventory reports, and technical guidelines for climate project implementation.