PNG Climate Change Office aims to reduce carbon emissions

The Office of Climate Change and Development is asking entities planning to install renewable and clean power projects to register immediately so they can benefit from the carbon market. 

The office executive director Varigini Badira said, baseline studies should be conducted to show how the projects reduced carbon emissions to be eligible for funds under the clean development mechanism programme to trade.

“The energy carbon prices are rebounding after tumbling significantly from 30-40 Euros (K88-K117) per ton of carbon emitted in 2008 to 6-12 Euros (K17-K35) per ton in 2010,” Badiria said.

“This rebound has triggered significantly in part, the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the United States of America and China last year to jointly reduce carbon emissions in both countries by almost 30 per cent each year.”

Badira said the project was linked with the government’s climate compatible development management policy. “The government aims to increase the amount of energy from CDM project to benefit from carbon trade,” he said.

“PNG has only 11 CDM projects while India has over 3000 projects and it is benefiting from energy carbon credits.

“At this stage there is a critical need for the country’s national energy policy to promote and guide the renewable and clean power generation in the country.”

Badira commended the PNG Power Ltd for reverting to solar power energy project like the Pomio project, which was environment friendly.

He said the solar power was clean, renewable and cost effective for the rural communities.

“PNG is blessed with abundant renewable and clean energy options which however require some considerable investments upfront to tap into resources,” he said.

Office of Climate Change and Development is a supporter of clean energy projects like the Aroma solar farm and is determined to do similar projects.

Source: The National newspaper