New Climate Journal

By Ned Remington

PNG Prime Minister James Marape claimed at the recent UN General Assembly summit on the 27th September that his nation’s protection of their rainforests, comprising of 7% of global biodiversity, had been successful. However, new community-led environmental NGO ‘ACT NOW!’ criticised the PM’s speech, arguing “his government is doing nothing to stop widespread illegal logging.”

In his address to the representatives of every UN Member State, Marape “tjhe pursuit of wealth,” which had lead humanity. “to plunder Earth of its resources beyond the threshold of sustainability, with little consideration for our children’s future.” He also emphasised that his nation was a victim of the actions of richer, more polluting states, describing the threat posed to ocean states like his by sea level rise and changes to weather patterns as a result of climate change.

The island of New Guinea contains the 3rd largest continuous rainforest in the world, with around 65% of Papua New Guinea under tree cover. The Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies determined that all tropical forests combined contain around 25% of the world’s carbon, making the preservation of tropical rainforest ecosystems vital for limiting global temperature rise, as well as for preserving biodiversity. However, despite Marape’s claim to be committed to preserving rainforest “for Earth’s children,” NGO ACT NOW! accused the Government of “actively assisting foreign logging companies to destroy” such habitats.

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ACT NOW! claimed in a press release that most of the logging in Papua New Guinea is ‘illegal and unsustainable,’ and condemned the renewal of ‘colonial-era logging permits … in defiance of court orders.’ They went on to highlight the discrepancy between Marape’s description of the importance of conservation efforts to preserve tropical habitats for future generations, and his history of “glossing over clear evidence of widespread illegal logging.” This hypocrisy, according to the organisation, will mean “global community is not going to pay heed to the PM’s pleas for financial help,” recalling growing frustration among some political groups in wealthy Western countries at the continued destruction of natural resources to fund economic development in Low-Income Countries and Newly Emerging Economies.

The group’s condemnation comes less than two months before the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where negotiators are expected to revisit pledges of financial support to poorer nations affected by climate-change such as Papua New Guinea, following the creation of the “Loss and Damage Fund” at COP28 in Dubai last year.

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Change the Narrative

Donate to support ACTNOW! in their mission to preserve Papua New Guinea’s rainforest here.

Learn how to get involved with fundraising for the Rainforest Trust here.

Support the Rainforest Alliance here.

Learn how to pressure your government to commit to more ambitious climate policies, including afforestation, at COP29 here.

Read The Stories, Change The Narrative.

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