On the periphery of the 2018 APEC Economic Leaders Week on the 14th November 2018, the government of Papua New Guinea, through the Office of Climate Change and Development (CCDA) and Oil Search Limited (OSL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The CCDA is PNG’s lead entity for coordinating and managing Government’s climate resilience efforts and the country’s National Designated Authority for multilateral climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund. This MOU marks a milestone for the Government of PNG as it formalizes the creation of the first ever public–private partnership between the CCDA and OSL.This MOU explores areas of mutual interest in regards to environmental resilience, including the assessing the impact of adverse environmental effects and establishing disaster-resilient, community-based projects in the areas of health, leadership and education, and women’s protection and empowerment.
The MOU describes how the parties will collaborate on the development of community-based climate change adaptation programs within OSL’s project areas and explores the potential of other initiatives to achieve our mutual climate change adaptation commitments.
Through the MOU, the parties will: explore areas of mutual interest regarding climate change adaptation; share and leverage knowledge to promote and manage climate compatible development through climate change adaptation activities; and contribute to Papua New Guinea’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) adaptation targets. Focus areas include: inland flooding agriculture and livelihoods, food security water and sanitation.
Oil Search’s involvement is consistent with its Climate and Social Responsibility strategies and its recent work which demonstrates its resilience in a 2C world. The company recognises that no single sector can tackle climate change alone and it requires a coordinated approach by companies, governments and communities. This collaborative approach will assist the PNG Government meet its development goals and its NDC commitments under the Paris Agreement and strengthen community resilience to the effects of climate change.
Both parties recognize cooperation through public-private partnership leverages the effect of climate change measures and leads to increased performance, transparency, and more efficient and accountable processes for carrying out climate change adaptation.
Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change Hon: John Thomas Pundari and Oil Search Managing Director, Mr. Peter Botten, announced the partnership today. Its vision is to develop and demonstrate climate change adaptation initiatives that contribute to the climate resilience of PNG communities and align with PNG’s development goals.
Minister Pundari acknowledged OSL for being an important and successful development partner for PNG and the emphasis the Company places on the strategic importance of sustainable development.
Mr Botten welcomed the opportunity to participate in this important step in PNG’s realisation of its climate change adaptation and development goals.
CCDA:
Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) is a new government entity that is now undergoing transition from the former Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD). CCDA coordinates the Climate Change efforts of the Government of Papua New Guinea, a continuation of basically where the former OCCD left off. It is the coordinating entity for all climate change related policies and actions in the country. Additionally, it is the designated National Authority under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The office is currently undergoing a transitional phase which requires a major re-structure, in a coordinated and structured manner, complying with its own Climate Change Management Act (CCMA) 2015. The CCMA 2015 clearly defines this in Sections 8-11 of the Act on the organisation’s establishment, purpose, functions and powers.
CCDA is tasked with ensuring that Papua New Guinea follows a path of climate-compatible growth; that the country’s economy develops while simultaneously mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing vulnerability to climate change related risks.
Oil Search:
Established in 1929, Oil Search has an unrivalled understanding of how to operate successfully and safely in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We operate all PNG’s producing oil fields and have major interests in the world class PNG LNG Project and Papua LNG Project and continue to explore opportunities to support further expansion. Balancing our PNG port-folio are our recently acquired interests in major undeveloped oil resources in the Alaska North Slope (USA). We have a clear strategy for future growth – working closely with joint venture partners, regulators, government, landowners and communities to ensure long-term, mutually beneficial outcomes. Oil Search is listed on ASX (OSH), POMSOX (OSH) and US ADR (OISHY).
For more information on Oil Search’s approach to climate change: https://www.oilsearch.com/how-we-work/responsible-operator/climate-change