PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NOT READY FOR - Greenpeace
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
PAPUA NEW GUINEA:
NOT READY FOR
[REDD]
www.greenpeace.org.au
contents
Executive Summary 1
Introduction 2
Recommendations 3
The Promise of REDD in PNG 4
The Need for International REDD Finance 4
Somare’s Plan: From Copenhagen to Cancun 5
McREDD and Rushed REDD Plans 5
Carbon Cowboys 7
Donor Bodies and REDD Financing 8
Poor Forest Governance in PNG 10
Illegal and Destructive Logging 10
Corruption in the Forestry Sector 10
Dismantling of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights 12
Conclusion 13
Reference 13
©Greenpeace/Scheltema
Executive Summary
This report critiques the handling rights means PNG is not currently be taken to advance its case
of domestic policy aimed at ready for REDD funding. This is for REDD money. Greenpeace’s
Reducing Emissions from unfortunate as future generations key recommendations are
Deforestation and Degradation of Papua New Guineans and the a moratorium on new large-
(REDD) by the Government of country’s unique biodiversity could scale logging and agricultural
Papua New Guinea (PNG) and miss out on a positive alternative concessions and a review of
the way it has engaged with to continued destructive industrial existing operations and stringent
international REDD negotiations logging. safeguards for indigenous peoples
since the 2009 UN Climate and biodiversity.
Greenpeace is a strong advocate
Conference in Copenhagen.
for fast-start funding for REDD This report offers recommendations
The poor governance and if it is provided with strict for existing and prospective REDD
entrenched corruption that preconditions for governance donor countries and key conditions
has long characterised the PNG reform. Greenpeace has provided, that must be met by the
logging industry, together with and will continue to provide, GoPNG before REDD
a refusal to accept conditions advice and recommendations to financing occurs.
for REDD funding and a growing the Government of PNG (GoPNG)
dismissal of indigenous peoples’ on the measures that should
1
Introduction
a
ce/Scheltem ©Greenpeace
©Greenpea /Birch
There is no questioning the unique The appeal of receiving international Recently introduced legislation marks
environmental and cultural importance financial assistance for REDD has a shift towards reduced government
of PNG. Covering the eastern half of seen PNG position itself as a leader transparency and an increasing
the island of New Guinea, the country within international REDD discussions. disregard of rights of its indigenous
hosts one of the world’s largest and peoples – the owners of 97% of the
Yet this high level of influence has
most diverse areas of remaining intact country’s forests.
not been reflected in leadership on
tropical forest. It also supports the
effective emission reductions or PNG’s GHG emissions reduction
Earth’s most diverse collection of
forest protection domestically. What plans focus largely on Reduced
cultures with over 850 languages.
national policy has been developed Impact Logging (RIL), sidelining the
Yet PNG faces significant thus far aims to maximise potential benefits of conservation. It also leaves
environmental and economic international REDD funding rather many to conclude that PNG’s largely
challenges. Much of the largely than improve institutional and political foreign-owned logging industry and
rural-based population does not have capacity in PNG in order to implement pro-logging advisors retain undue
access to health or education services effective REDD policy and measures. influence over the GoPNG and its
and one third of the population lives forest and REDD policies.
Meanwhile, the search and investment
on less than US$1.25 a day.1
for voluntary REDD carbon credits For the GoPNG to provide an
Decades of industrial logging have and schemes has ballooned in alternative to continued destructive
not delivered the promised benefits PNG as speculative investors and logging and deforestation, which has
of employment, improved health and entrepreneurs look to get into a shown no real benefit to its people,
education. Communities affected rapidly emerging but uncontrolled it must embark on a new way to
by logging have witnessed the loss market. engage with REDD policy at home
or destruction of their forests and and abroad.
Corruption within PNG’s forest
waterways, two things that are key
industry, disregard for land owner For prospective international REDD
to their subsistence way of life. Today
rights, inflated estimations of likely donors, the greatest way to support
only 55% of PNG’s forests remain as
benefits from REDD and a lack of the people of PNG and achieve
intact forest landscapes,2 much of
effective institutional systems in place the objectives of REDD is to insist
which are at risk of being lost forever.
do not engender confidence in the on legislative preconditions to
Due largely to unsustainable levels country’s ability to manage a funded accompany REDD funding.
of logging, PNG has the second institutional transition to a low carbon
highest proportion of national economy. Rather than leading to
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions institutional reform, these allegations
from land use and land use change have resulted in the re-naming of
and forestry (LULUCF) in the world.3 relevant institutions to deflect blame.
2
Recommendations
To REDD donor countries and landowners. It must also ensure 5. Reject the baseline and business
institutions: areas of high conservation as usual (BAU) scenarios within
value, primary forests and intact their Climate-Compatible
1. Implement a comprehensive set
forest landscapes are protected Development Interim Action
of preconditions and safeguards
with a focus on community Plan (IAP) and Strategy (SDCCD).
for credible REDD and Climate-
protected areas; Instead, use realistic assumptions
Compatible Development in PNG
for GHG abatement based upon
that includes: f. Measures to ensure forest
10 year average deforestation
governance reform in order
b. Recognition and respect for rates similar to the approach
to keep corruption out of REDD.
indigenous peoples’ rights to taken in Brazil.
the forest lands and carbon 2. Establish a ‘PNG Forest Fund’ with
6. Carry out comprehensive and
(including a requirement of a multi-stakeholder governance that
inclusive consultation with
review of the Environment Act includes civil society and NGO
PNG civil society including the
to remove elements that breach representatives, similar to the
customary landowners on the
the UNDRIP); Amazon Fund.
proposed IAP and SDCCD.
c. No support or financing for To the Government of Papua New 7. Redirect the IAP and SDCCD
industrial logging (including RIL Guinea: to focus on GHG abatement
or SFM) of intact or primary
3. As a demonstration of commitment from forest protection, particularly
forests, and the re-alignment of
to REDD, immediately declare a in primary forest and restoration
the forestry sector to focus on
moratorium on industrial logging in of secondary forest, rather than
management and restoration
intact or primary forest and forest a continuation and expansion
of secondary forests and local
conversion for industrial agriculture. of logging (RIL).
processing;
4. Ensure the REDD and PNG laws 8. Establish a ‘PNG Forest Fund’
d. The implementation of
respect the rights of the customary to manage REDD finance with
a moratorium on forest
landowners as laid down in the multi-stakeholder governance
conversion for industrial
PNG constitution and the UN that includes civil society and
agriculture and the expansion
Declaration on the Rights of NGO representatives, similar
of logging into intact or primary
Indigenous Peoples. Further, rights to the Amazon Fund.
forests by the Government
of PNG; to forest carbon and the majority
of benefits from its conservation
e. Participatory land use and should remain with the customary
conservation planning based landowners.
on the free prior and informed
consent of the customary
ce/Solness
©Greenpea
The greatest way to support the
people
of PNG and achieve the objectiv
es of REDD
is to insist on legislative preco
nditions
to accompany REDD funding
3
©Greenpeace/Toyoda
The promise of REDD in PNG
The Need intact forest landscapes where dependent on overseas aid to bridge
there is currently little deforestation the gap in it’s development needs
for International and degradation occurring, and rapidly increasing population.
REDD Finance the conservation of existing The Australian Government,
The protection of PNG’s forests, forests, especially primary forests, for example, gave $457.2 million in
in particular the intact and primary is critical both for preventing future aid to PNG in 2010.8 This represents
forests that store considerable greenhouse emissions through loss about 6% of PNG’s GDP in 2009.9
volumes of carbon, is essential for of carbon stocks and continued
With REDD finance there is the
mitigation of climate change. Much sequestration, as well as for
opportunity to marry the two goals
of this forest is threatened by logging conserving biodiversity.” 4
of GHG emissions reductions through
and conversion for agriculture. The The UN Convention on Biological
forest conservation and development
people of PNG, most of whom live a Diversity (CBD)
that improves the livelihoods of local
subsistence life relying on the forest, However, continued illegal and communities. REDD finance could
also have the right to development destructive logging and the provide essential infrastructure and
and improving their livelihoods. conversion of forest areas into services such as education, health,
Therefore protection of their forests plantations could see much of PNG’s communication and housing as well
for the global benefit is going to commercially accessible tropical as support small-scale low-impact
require international financing to forests cleared or degraded by 2021.5 community use that maintains the
compensate forgone development. carbon and biodiversity.
With over 85% of PNG’s people living
Only 55% of PNG’s forests today within the forest and surrounding rural However a major challenge is for
are in large blocks of primary forest areas, the forests play an important PNG to transform its policies, laws
(>500 km2) of minimally disturbed role in their livelihoods. However, and institutions, if it is to ready itself
forest ecosystems known as Intact access to education and health for increased international assistance
Forest Landscapes (IFLs). care remains a major development via REDD. It will need to bring down
“Primary forests are generally challenge. One third of the population the high levels of corruption and
more carbon dense, biologically lives on less than US$1.25 a day.6 improve governance if donors are to
diverse and resilient than other Despite years of economic growth, be reassured that REDD financing
forest ecosystems, including industrial development has benefited can achieve the goals of emissions
modified natural forests and only a very few, with many living in reductions, forest conservation and
plantations, accordingly, in largely poverty.7 PNG has traditionally been climate-compatible development.
©Greenpeace
/Scheltema
Hibber t
ce/Sut ton-
©Greenpea
4
e logging
Continued illegal and destructiv
as into
and the conversion of forest are
PNG’s
plantations could see much of
al forests
commercially accessible tropic
cleared or degraded by 2021
©Greenpeace/Solness
Somare’s Plan: From Somare also criticised the current GoPNG has developed an Interim
processes under the World Bank Action Plan for Climate-Compatible
Copenhagen to Cancun and the United Nations, calling them Development (IAP).13 The plan
On 27 May 2010, at the Oslo Climate a tangle of “endless process and purports to shape more climate-
and Forest Conference, PNG Prime conditionality’s (sic)”. The implication resilient development whilst almost
Minister Michael Somare outlined being that safeguards for biodiversity doubling annual GDP growth and
the country’s new plans for REDD and indigenous peoples’ rights suggests a BAU emissions growth
and described it as a model for all (which Somare’s speech and the of almost 40% over the next 20 years.
prospective countries looking to Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN) However, there are a number of
benefit from REDD.10 In his speech, presentation failed to address), are significant failures in the plan.
he also identified the finance needed hindering the flow of REDD finance.
Firstly the GoPNG proposes the need
by PNG for a targeted cut of over
to “clarify and rationalize the allocation
110 million tonnes of GHG emissions Rushed REDD Plans of land between forestry, commercial
(between 2011 and 2015 and for a
While PNG has made commitments agriculture, subsistence agriculture
low carbon pathway leading to 1.1 to
to reduced GHG emissions, it has and other uses such as hunting”.
1.5 billion tonnes of CO2e reductions
relied heavily on analysis that inflates Previously the government declared,
before 2030.
baselines and BAU scenarios, “All natural forest carbon is owned
While PNG has not yet lodged a and opts for expanded logging by the customary landowners and
National Communication on GHG as the main REDD abatement managed by the state.” 14 However,
emissions, deforestation and strategy. Further to this, it has details are scant on how the state
forest degradation emissions were largely excluded local civil society will ‘manage’ the carbon on the
estimated to be about 44 million including the customary (indigenous) landowners behalf, especially how
tonnes in 2010.11 forest holders, in the development benefits will be shared.
of its climate-compatible plans,
Somare identified that PNG needs Outwardly it would appear that the
and is simultaneously undermining
‘fast start funding’ of between GoPNG is proposing to effectively
indigenous rights through
US$715 million to US$1 billion in three appropriate the rights over forest
amendments to the country’s laws.
phases over the period 2011 –2015: carbon, control any financial gains
In February 2010, PNG made a or sales, and decide on how any
• US $71 million for readiness
conditional commitment to the benefits are distributed. Customary
payments
UNFCCC, under the Copenhagen landowners have not handed over
• US $118 million for pilot program Accord, that GHG emissions would their rights to the State to manage
costs be reduced by about 30% from forest carbon and any attempt to do
• US $526 – 811 million for current levels and about 50% from so would cause significant opposition
performance based payments.12 BAU by 2030. to REDD in PNG.
5
Current rates of logging are un
sustainable
and most of the productive for
est will be
©Greenpeace/Behring- Chisholm logged by the end of the decade
With or without landowner support, caused by logging and instead using use an average ten year deforestation
the GoPNG proposes a 50% RIL to restore secondary logged over rate as a reference period – so
reduction in BAU GHG emissions forests together with local processing. that donors can base performance
by 2030. In effect the GoPNG payments on actual reductions in
Indeed, under the BAU scenario,
proposes a 10% reduction in the deforestation and degradation.
the IAP suggests that a 2% annual
estimated emissions of GHG in 2010,
growth in log and agricultural Furthermore, monitoring, reporting
largely through changing forestry
commodity production and a doubling and verifying emission reductions
and agricultural practices. The IAP
in production of minerals and oil based on RIL is difficult and expensive
suggests that these reductions
and gas to 2030. As recent studies compared to the relatively simple
are conditional on an international
suggest, current rates of logging spatial analysis required for reductions
agreement that will fund REDD,
are unsustainable and most of the in area of primary forest logged or
so that “Papua New Guineans
productive forest will be logged by forest not cleared. It is therefore
are compensated for ecosystem
the end of the decade. It is therefore questionable that RIL can achieve
services and emissions benefits they
questionable whether a 2% annual genuine emission reductions in PNG.
contribute to the world, and for the
increase in log production to 2030
resulting changes to their incomes Therefore in order to develop
is even possible, even before
and livelihoods”. a credible climate-compatible
considering whether landowner
development strategy the GoPNG
These could be seen as laudable approval for the expansion is possible.
needs to shift to real emissions
goals if not for the fact that much of
Projected future BAU reference levels reductions through the protection
this abatement potential is estimated
for REDD are poor standards to of primary forest together with
to be from Reduced Impact Logging
estimate and reward reductions. community development, RIL only
(RIL) in existing operations (logging
An increasing reference level based in the millions of hectares of already
primary forest). Apart from some
on BAU projections assumes logged over forests, and by allowing
reference to conservation initiatives
continuing deforestation and industrial agriculture expansion only
and community REDD projects,
degradation and a built-in incentive in already cleared areas.
no assessment of the GHG
to inflate such reference baselines:
abatement opportunities of
the higher the reference baseline
conserving the remaining primary
assumed, the easier it is to generate
forests in PNG is undertaken in the
‘reductions’ and hence gain rewards.
IAP. Conserving primary forest is the
easiest and surest way of addressing To ensure real emissions reductions
the massive forest degradation PNG should follow Brazil’s lead and
6
Carbon Cowboys A week later, an Australian company They threatened me. They told me,
was embroiled in a US $100 million You sign. Otherwise, if you don’t
Voluntary carbon trading has carbon trading scandal in PNG. sign, I’ll get a police and lock you up,”
fuelled PNG’s ongoing ‘cargo cult’ 15 Carbon Planet admitted to giving fake said a leader of the Kamula Doso
and the corruption of officials and carbon certificates that purported to peoples Abilie Wape.23 This is in spite
parliamentarians.16 Described as represent a million tonnes of voluntary of the fact that the Kamula Doso
a classic 21st-century scam, it is carbon credits issued by the UN. The area is subject to a court injunction
known in PNG as mani bilong skai company claimed that the certificates preventing carbon trade project
– sky money – because it appears created by PNG officials were merely development as well as a land
to be selling air. Current proposals props to help persuade landowners dispute – both are in process in
being rushed through undermine to sign over the carbon rights to their the PNG courts.
indigenous peoples rights, inflate forests.18 After an investigation, the
BAUs and may allow logging. The In August 2010, both carbon trade
head of the PNG Office of Climate
government has sent mixed signals projects and supposed REDD pilot
Change, Theo Yasause, was removed
on whether it supports them or not. schemes were the subject of criticism
from office in 2010.19
for “a litany of inconsistencies,
In addition to the scandals and In June 2010, two carbon projects dubious science, legal issues and
corruption associated with logging, have sought approval from the concerns landowners will be ripped
there have also been a number of Climate Community and Biodiversity off.” 24 The baseline data on the
events linking the PNG government Standards. The Minister for Forests, volume of timber appears to be
to the so called ‘carbon cowboys’. Belden Namah endorsed the inflated and there is a possibility
Late in 2009, Opposition Leader Sir April Salome Project in East Sepik that both could allow logging.
Mekere Morauta raised questions Province as the first pilot project in
about claims of possible abuse of The GoPNG is sending conflicting
the country.20 Yet conflicting this
process and corruption purportedly messages in respect to voluntary
support, the PNG’s Office of Climate
based on official documents bearing carbon trading in PNG. On the
Change and development executive
signatures of high public officials, 17 international stage, the Prime Minister
director Wari Iamo stated: “The PNG
including: Michael Somare insists that his
Government does not recognise
Government is opposed to voluntary
• The then Office of Climate Change and disavows any partnership,
carbon trading. Meanwhile back in
and Environmental Sustainability support, endorsement or any form
PNG his Ministers and government
(OCCES) involvement in issuing of connection to the proposed
officers tell a different story. GoPNG
carbon credits certificates to projects.” 21
needs to urgently reign in all the
foreign companies for forest areas The second project, Kamula Doso voluntary projects until it has a robust
in PNG. in Western Province, is led by policy framework that is supported
• A document, signed by then controversial Australian businessman across the entire government.
Acting Secretary for Commerce Kirk Roberts.22 In many of the
and Industry and co-signed by the voluntary carbon projects there have
current National Planning Minister been concerns about landowner
Paul Tiensten which confirms the consent but in this case one tribal
receipt of US$200 million, paid by leader claims he was forced at
C.A. PNG Ltd to the GoPNG for gunpoint to sign away his lands to
Carbon Credits totaling the project. “They came and got me
33,333,333 tonnes. in the night... police came with a gun.
7
©Greenpeace/Solness ©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert ©Greenpeace/Morris
Donor Bodies and REDD As an active architect of the World Forest Initiative is “to promote
Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership the conservation of natural forests
Financing Facility (FCPF), PNG has also had to maintain their carbon storage
It is not surprising that there has been surprising difficulty with securing capacity.”
little international interest in PNG as a funds. It’s first application was
The German Ministry for Economic
responsible recipient of REDD funding rejected largely due to a lack
Cooperation and Development’s
due to high levels of corruption, of consultation and significant
(BMZ) binding guidelines on forests
carbon cowboy scandals, and lack information gaps. The FCPF has since
(Forest Sector Strategy) states
of political leadership on REDD accepted an amended application,
“primary forests, are the most
in PNG. While Australia has pledged but there is still some disagreement
important terrestrial reservoirs for
a small amount ($3m) for capacity whether this will be in the form of
carbon”, and “minimum ecological
building and UN – REDD is assisting Readiness Funding or will merely
standards in forests with high
(US $2.5m), PNG hasbeen ignored lead to PNG receiving technical
conservation value, protection of
by many donor countries looking assistance.26 However, it has been
the ecosystem’s biodiversity takes
to support nations with progressive reported that PNG has advised the
precedence over other goals”.
policy positions. FCPF that until other countries have
received FCPF grants, it will only seek The environmental safeguards of
PNG expressed interest in becoming
resources from UN REDD and not the Japan International Cooperation
a pilot country in the first and second
from the FCPF. Agency (JICA) state that: “Projects
round of investments in REDD
must not involve significant conversion
pilots under the World Bank Forest The GoPNG’s focus on reduced
or significant degradation of critical
Investment Program (FIP) but so impact logging rather than forest
habitats or critical forests” and
far has failed to be recommended protection is out of step with
“illegal logging of forests must be
or approved by the Expert Group many key donors safeguards or
avoided.” All three governments
of the FIP.25 aid finance policies. One of three
also have safeguards on indigenous
objectives of the Norwegian
peoples’ rights.
US $3 billion Climate and
PNG has been ignored by many donor
countries looking to support nations
with progressive policy positions
a
©Greenpeace/Scheltem
©Greenpeace
/Behring
8The people of PNG deserve to
have their
country develop in a way that
improves
their livelihoods and protects the
ir natural
resources for future generation
s
©Greenpeace/Behring-Chisholm
Governance issues are also behind There have been suggestions said “We don’t trust him with the
much of the reluctance of donor reported by insiders that the failure money carbon trading will bring.”
countries and bodies to provide of the GoPNG to effectively negotiate So far, the income from carbon
capacity building finance to PNG. international finance flows for REDD trading remains mani bilong skai. 27
GoPNG’s plans for institutional is partly due to the US-born Climate
The people of PNG deserve to have
changes and capacity building for Ambassador, Kevin Conrad, who
their country develop in a way that
climate-compatible development will reputedly retains a tight control
improves their livelihoods and protects
do little to address PNG’s credibility of PNG’s REDD policy.
their natural resources for future
gap with donors. Following Brazil’s
Conrad has come under fire in the generations. REDD could provide
example, PNG needs to establish
PNG parliament, primarily for his funding to achieve this, or it could
a ‘PNG Forest Fund’ with multi-
activities as an investment banker. compound corruption and ongoing
stakeholder governance to manage
Last year, Peter O’Neill, while forest degradation. PNG needs to
REDD preparedness, finances and
opposition leader, attacked Conrad develop a coherent and inclusive plan
benefit sharing.
for his roles in a failed US $8m public that includes placing a moratorium
servants’ housing on the logging of primary and intact
scheme and in the forests, as well as on agricultural
US $17m collapse expansion into forested areas, and
of commodity exporter transforms its institutions and forest
Angco Coffee. Mal governance. Until then, it would be
‘Kela’ Smith, the irresponsible for international funding
Governor of the bodies and donor governments to
Eastern Highlands, provide PNG with REDD funding.
9
©Greenpeace/Sutton-HibbertPoor Forest Governance in PNG
Despite having some of the best No logging concession is able to in particular has a long history
forestry laws in the world, PNG’s meet the International Tropical Timber of corruption and undue dealings.
reputation as a forest manager is very Organisation’s (ITTO) criteria for
In the first admission of its kind
poor. Failure to control illegal and sustainable logging and none, except
by a PNG government official, the
destructive logging means that the for two community eco-forestry group
country’s Forest Minister, Belden
GoPNG is not ready to implement schemes, have Forest Stewardship
Namah, told parliament in 2008 that
the even more technical and rigorous Council (FSC) certification.
logging companies routinely flout the
governance and enforcement
Privately owned companies control all law with the help of corrupt officials.31
structures that will be required
commercial timber production from He revealed that most of his
to ensure postive REDD outcomes.
natural forest areas. Malaysian owned departmental officers responsible for
companies dominate this commercial monitoring forestry operations had
Illegal and Destructive timber production. The role of ignored the law and that many were
Logging the State is limited to inadequate ‘in the pockets’ of logging companies.
The majority of logging operations monitoring and control. Later in 2008, the Post-Courier
in PNG can be classified as newspaper linked unnamed PNG
environmentally, economically Corruption in the politicians to US $45m in a Singapore
and socially unsustainable 28 and Forestry Sector bank account, allegedly money
the vast majority of the logging in earned through secret logging deals.32
The lack of financial accountability
PNG is illegal.29 In 2009, PNG’s anti-corruption
and oversight of government ministers
In one GoPNG review of 14 forestry and bureaucrats in PNG continues to watchdog investigated the alleged
operations between 2000 and 2005, undermine confidence in the country’s payment of millions of dollars in bribes
none could be defined as legal and ability to deliver on key Government from the logging industry to ministers
only one project managed to meet programs and equitably distribute in the government of Prime Minister
more than 50% of key criteria for its wealth. Cronyism and self-interest Michael Somare. Media reports in
a lawful logging operation.30 seem to be the mantra of many in PNG claimed there was a money trail
the GoPNG and the forestry sector of corrupt payments from Singapore
ns in
The majority of logging operatio
onmentally,
PNG can be classified as envir
stainable
economically and socially unsu
ce/Murphy
©Greenpea
heltema
©Greenpeace/Sc
©Greenpeace
/Solness
10©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert
through Australia to Port Moresby, “In Papua New Guinea, the effects Corruption remains a significant
with $US 27m being withdrawn from of lobbying alongside other forms barrier to sustainability for PNG’s
one account around the time of corruption to influence decisions forestry sector. Despite a number
of the last PNG national election.33 on forestry and logging have of independent reports and
The Ombudsman Commission failed had a significant impact on the investigations, some undertaken
to determine whether the payments sustainability of the industry.” 35 by the PNG Ombudsman, the current
to the Singapore bank accounts were GoPNG has failed to adequately
In 2009, the PNG Auditor General
derived from a 2% take of logging recognise the problem and had
said corrupt officials had stolen
export revenues from operations in placed little emphasis on measures
about $360m annually in recent
the Gulf Province in southern PNG. to rectify and punish individuals
years.36
for corruption.
In its 2009 Global Corruption
In 2009, allegations were made that
Report, Transparency International Any successful REDD program will
the shooting of PNG’s top corruption
found that forestry in PNG had require a high level of monitoring,
fighter, Chief Ombudsman Chronox
reached a critical juncture with good governance and transparency.
Manek, was linked to corrupt parties
current levels of logging said to There is a long way to go before the
wishing to silence him. This indicates
be unsustainable, and the legality GoPNG can honestly claim to be
just how far parties may be willing
of many current concessions in ready to deliver such guarantees
to go to hide their activities.37
doubt.34 The report concluded that: and cleaning up its forestry sector
must be a priority.
11olm
/Behring- Chish
©Greenpeace
©Greenpeace/Sc
heltema
Environmental laws in PNG are
currently
under threat
Dismantling of The amendments ban legal • is contrary to National Goal and
challenges against environmentally Directive Principles – Goal 4; and
Indigenous Peoples’ destructive projects if the project
• breaches Constitution Section
Rights is ruled to be of ‘national interest’ 39.
25(2) and Section 25(3).
As mentioned, PNG has some of the These include removing landowners’
rights to challenge in court any In response to media criticism over
most comprehensive environmental
development that impacts their land the amendments, the Attorney-
laws relating to forests in the world.
from future or continuing harm and General, Ano Pala, issued a decree
This is due largely to the requirement
to be awarded compensation. imposing a media blackout on debate
for prior and informed consent of
saying, “your right to freedom of
traditional landowners for forestry Legal opinion suggests the
expression is now subsumed.” 40
or other natural resource exploitation. Environment (Amendment) Act 2010
Yet these laws are currently under threat. should be declared unconstitutional The new laws, which have not
as it: gone unnoticed by civil society in
Thanks to PNG’s foresty laws,
PNG and are currently the subject
the judiciary has been used effectively • breaches the right to protection
of a Constitutional challenge, are
to limit some of the worst examples and enforcement of landowners’
perhaps the most obvious example
of landowner abuse and guaranteed rights under S57 of
of the GoPNG’s attempts to sideline
environmental impact at the hands the Constitution;
indigenous rights.
of the PNG logging industry. However,
• breaches the landowners’ right
the overloaded courts often take years The 2009 policy which purportedly
to compensation under S58 of
to hear a case.38 attempts to relieve customary
the Constitution;
landowners of their rights over
Only one day after Somare’s speech
• breaches the landowners’ rights forest carbon (as detailed above)
in Oslo earlier in 2010, the PNG
to unjust deprivation of property is a specific example of the GoPNG
Parliament broke parliamentary
under S53 of the Constitution; seeking to exclude indigenous rights
standing rules to amend its
in the context of REDD.
environmental laws.
12Conclusion
Unless measures are taken to and illegal logging and an
protect PNG’s forests, the current increasingly desperate and
pressure from destructive industrial corrupt leadership continues
logging looks set to continue. The to bulldoze the rights of
result will be a disaster for the climate, indigenous peoples.
the people of PNG who rely upon the
Ensuring that strict
forests and the critically important ©Greenpeace/Sutton-H
ibbert
safeguards for people and
ecosystems that exist within them.
biodiversity are attached
REDD offers a significant opportunity to REDD payments, such
for the future of PNG. Yet there as those proposed by
is nothing to be gained by the the German Government and those achieved and that countries like
international community or by the recommended in this report, will PNG will be saving their forests for
people of PNG when forests are ensure the maximum environmental the good of the planet, not the profits
not protected from destructive and social benefits are of a few.
Reference
1. UNDP – United Nations Development Program (2009) Human Development 21. ibid.
Indices, Table 3: Human and income poverty, p35. http://hdr.undp.org/en/ 22. Convicted of race horse doping and illegal cock fighting.
media/HDI_2008_EN_Tables.pdf 23. Quote from SBS documentary ‘PNG Climate Woes Continue’ December
2. IFL: An unfragmented expanse of forest and natural ecosystems within 2009.
a forested landscape that is minimally disturbed by people and larger 24. ibid.
than 50,000 hectares. 25. FIP -Forest Investment Program - Expert Group (2010) Recommendations
3. WRI -World Resources Institute (2010) Climate Analysis Indicators Tool for Additional Pilots under the FIP, Second Report of the Expert Group to the
(CAIT) Version 5.0. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute (WRI). FIP Subcommittee, 4 June 2010.http://www.climateinvestmentfunds.org/cif/
http://cait.wri.org. sites/climateinvestmentfunds.org/files/FIP%207%20Expert%20Group%20
4. CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity (2009) Connecting Biodiversity June%202010_key_document_071910.pdf.
and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation – Report of the Second 26. UN REDD (2010) Initial Draft of the UN REDD Program – PNG Quick Start
Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climate Change. Initiative http://www.unredd.org/UNREDDProgramme/CountryActions/
CBD Technical Series. PapuaNewGuinea/tabid/1026/language/en-US/Default.aspx.
5. Shearman, P.L., Bryan, J.E., Ash, J., Hunnam, P., Mackey, B. & Lokes, 27. Callick, R. (2009a).
B. (2008) The State of the Forests in Papua New Guinea, University of 28. ITTO – International Tropical Timber Organisation (2007) Achieving the ITTO
Papua New Guinea. http://www.scienceinpublic.com/png_forests.htm. objective 2000 and sustainable forest management in Papua New Guinea,
6. UNDP – United Nations Development Program (2009) Human Development Report of the diagnostic mission. http://www.itto.or.jp/live/Live_Server/3632/
Indices, Table 3: Human and income poverty, p35. http://hdr.undp.org/en/ E-C42-7_PNG_Mission_Full_Report.doc; ODI – Oversees Development
media/HDI_2008_EN_Tables.pdf. Institute (2007a). What can be learnt from the past? A history
7. The GoPNG developed the PNG Definition of Poverty, as being: “Lack of of the forestry sector in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea Forest
access to economic and financial growth opportunities and the inefficient Studies 1. http://www.odi.org.uk/fecc/resources/reports/ png_paperone_
delivery of, and lack of access to basic services. The factors contributing history.pdf ; ODI-Overseas Development Institute (2007b). The current legal
to this definition of poverty include: weak governance, weak social support and institutional framework of the forest sector in Papua New Guinea. Papua
systems, unsustainable use of natural resources, unequal distribution of New Guinea Forest Studies; Sherman et al. (2008).
resources and a poorly maintained infrastructure network.” Cited in Storey, 29. Review Team (2001) Review of Forest Harvesting Projects being processed
D. (2010). Urban Poverty in Papua New Guinea. National Research Institute towards a Timber Permit or a Timber Authority, Observations and
Discussion Paper 109. National Library Service of Papua New Guinea. Recommendations, The Independent Forestry Review Team, prepared for
8. Oaks, D. (2010) Top PNG diplomat attacks Coalition; Howard era ‘derailed the Government of Papua New Guinea, October 2001; Roberts, G. (2006a)
bilateral relations’ – ELECTION 2010. The Age, Melbourne. 13 August, p6. The rape of PNG forests, The Weekend Australian 24-25 June, p29; Roberts,
9. PNG’s estimated GDP in 2009 was US $7.907b according to The CIA World G. (2006b) Timber scam costing PNG $100m a year, The Australian 20 July,
Factbook CIA (2010). p7; McDonald, H. (2006) Loggers remain a law unto themselves, Sydney
10. The REDD Monitor (2010a) http://www.redd-monitor.org/wordpress/wp- Morning Herald, 9-10 September, p22; SBS Australian Television (2001)
content/uploads/2010/06/PM-Somare-at-Oslo-Forest-Climate-Conference- Wilderness Laid Waste by Corruption, Dateline May 2; SBS Australian
27-May-2010-Final.pdf. Television (2004) Jungle Justice, Dateline November 2.
11. WRI (2010). 30. Forest Trends (2006) Logging, legality and livelihoods in Papua New Guinea:
12. With an equivalent carbon price of between $7 or $8 per tonne. synthesis of official assessments of the large scale logging industry vol. 1,
13. The IAP supersedes the previous strategy draft ‘Climate-compatible Forest Trends, Washington, DC.
Development in Papua New Guinea. Second Draft for Stakeholder 31. Roberts (2008a).
Comment. March 2010’. 32. Roberts (2008b).
14. PNG MoF - Ministry of Forestry (2009) Forestry and Climate Change 33. ibid.
Framework for Action 2009-2015; PNG National REDD strategy draft 34. Transparency International, (2009). Global Corruption Report 2009:
May 2009. Corruption and the Private Sector. Cambridge University Press.
15. Power and leadership attributed to the provision of goods – traditionally London. p164.
thought to have been gifts from their ancestors. 35. ibid.
16. Callick, R. (2009a) The rush is on for sky money. Weekend Australian. 36. ibid.
Canberra. 5 September p13. 37. ibid.
17. Yakham, H. (2009) Carbon credit concerns demand action. Papua – 38. ODI (2007).
New Guinea Post – Courier. Port Moresby. 2 November, p14. 39. ibid
18. Post-Courier (2009) Scandal threatening carbon trading rights. Post-Courier. 40. The Advertiser (2010). Papua New Guinea Media gagged, The Advertiser,
Papua New Guinea. 11 September, p14. Adelaide, 26 June, p26.
19. ibid.
20. PNG Forest Minister (2010) Press Statement. Forest Minister Endorsement
of April Salome Forest Management Area for a Pilot Project for REDD.
http://www.forestry.gov.pg/site/files/April%20Salome%20220609.pdf.
13Greenpeace Australia Pacific GPO Box 3307, Sydney NSW 2001 L 2, 33 Mountain Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 Ph: +61 2 9281 6100 Fax: +61 2 9280 0380 Email: support.au@greenpeace.org www.greenpeace.org.au Front cover image ©Greenpeace/Behring-Chisholm Back cover image ©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert
You can also read
