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Papua New Guinea

State of Environment 2020

Papua New Guinea is endowed with rich natural resources and culture and is known globally as a cultural and biodiversity hotspot. Located on the eastern part of the island of New Guinea, PNG contains about 1% of the global landmass, with four larger islands and over 600 small islands and atolls. PNG has one of the most diverse reef systems in the world, and an economic exclusive zone (EEZ) of 3.12 million square kilometres. Over 840 languages are spoken by more than 1000 tribes.

This report presents the latest update on the state of environment in PNG. Although some information is scarce, the report provides a snapshot of our environment, given the diverse pressures and threats we are facing from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The SoE report uses a reporting model to describe the state of environment in PNG. It identifies driving forces and pressures that result in the current state of environment and suggests a potential response strategy. Recommendations are presented for future legislative or other actions. Only by knowing what is happening on the ground, will we make informed decisions in meeting our international obligations to conserve and sustainably manage our natural assets.

Mixed results for Papua New Guinea’s environment

Papua New Guinea’s forests

Papua New Guinea has one of the largest areas of intact tropical forest in the world. These forests support more plant and frog species than any other island region on earth.

PNG’s forests have supported communities of people for millennia and continue to provide vital resources. Virtually all forest land is owned by clan or tribal groups under customary law.

To ensure that PNG’s expanding forest harvest is sustainable, there is a need to improve forest governance, compliance and management. Actions to help achieve sustainable forest harvest include:

  • Ensuring the national land use policy demarcates zoning of different land uses with that of forestry into national land use plans
  • Amend the Environment Act 2000, including regulations to control wokabaut sawmill
  • Closer collaboration between PNGFA and CEPA to monitor logging operations
  • Promote reforestation activities

Terrestrial protected areas

Customary landowners, custodians of 97% of land in PNG, recognise many areas of land and sea as “tambu” – areas of special spiritual significance. Customary landownership is therefore integral to PNGs 2.1 million hectares in its 59 protected areas. Protected areas sustain livelihoods, help maintain culture, provide tourism opportunities, store carbon, and protect biodiversity.

Just 3.69% of PNG’s terrestrial area is protected and coverage varies by province.

Protected area management effectiveness

In 2016–2017 the Government of Papua New Guinea, through its Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) and with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), organised for an evaluation of its protected areas, as part of the process to improve management effectiveness. The key findings of the evaluation were as follows:

  • 41 of the 58 of protected areas were good to very good condition
  • 45% of the total area protected was in good to very good condition
  • Important values are declining in over half of the protected areas

In 2016–2017 the Government of Papua New Guinea, through its Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) and with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), organised for an evaluation of its protected areas, as part of the process to improve management effectiveness. The key findings of the evaluation were as follows:

  • 41 of the 58 of protected areas were good to very good condition
  • 45% of the total area protected was in good to very good condition
  • Important values are declining in over half of the protected areas

To improve management effectiveness in protected areas CEPA has developed an ambitious and comprehensive Protected Area Policy which has been endorsed by the National Executive Council, and has also prepared the new Protected Areas Bill. The policy and legislation are strongly orientated towards involvement and ownership by customary landowners. These will also assist PNG to meet its Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) target of 17% land area protected area by 2020.

Acknowledgements

The Papua New Guinea State of Environment Report 2020 was led and developed by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Financial and coordination support was provided by GEF, UNEP and SPREP. Content contributions were made by numerous representatives from the government and NGOs. A local consultant led the data gathering and writing. There were many others who also helped in the data gathering, analysis and design whom without their assistance, it would not have been possible to develop a report of this complexity and scope. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.

Web design and development by Aeski & Eighty Options Pty Ltd

Data and knowledge resources

A growing number of data portals, knowledge libraries, and communication materials are available to support Pacific environmental management. The following are external links to the major environmental information resources

Core data resources and monitoring tools, Pacific region:

Core data resources and monitoring tools, global:

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