Report from the PNG National Newspaper (23rd April,2009)
Climate Change Staff Pay Fees
THE Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCC&ES) has taken the lead in voluntarily paying for carbon emissions.
Staff members from the office starting from executive director Dr Theo Yasause have paid their carbon offsets of K12,000 yesterday towards assisting in the resettlement of Carteret Islanders who have been affected by global warming.
The next payment, due next month, will be for mangrove planting along the Motuan coast.
Dr Yasause said the office was also looking at using low fuel products on all its vehicles to help reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
He said an NEC submission was being prepared for Cabinet to seek a policy direction for Government ministers, MPs, departmental heads and others to start paying for the carbon footprints.
The pay scale structure will apply.
Under this proposal, our current carbon emissions of two million metric tonnes annually will be offset by undertaking reforestation and afforestation projects as well as support climate impact projects across the country, thereby making PNG carbon neutral by next year.
Dr Yasause said this when presenting certificates to more than 50 officers who completed their three-day induction course at the PNGIPA and a new life for most as public servants.
He said intense interest had been raised among policy makers around the world on the evolving long-term international framework to promote the transition to low-carbon economies needed to address global and national climate change impacts.
“If current trends continue, the country’s and the region’s greenhouse emissions whether from energy production, transportation, deforestation, or other sources, will be comparable to those of Europe and North America.
“We must find and adopt new patterns of urban development, energy production and consumption, land use, and waste management, or else it will find itself increasingly contributing to the global climate change problem and broader resources degradation – with negative consequences for our people and the planet as a whole.
“We all have a shared responsibility, and must act responsibly.
“Action is needed both to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to identify and act upon the highest priorities for integrating climate adaptation measures into planning and investment at the project, district, regional, national and global levels,” Dr Yasause said.
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For a country like PNG, this is certainly a very bold move . Dr Yasause and his staff should be commended. I only hope this move will be supported by the Papua New Guinea Government. [John B Nirenga (April, 2009)]
