The Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia affirm their joint commitment to work together to advance effective actions on climate change. The Paris Agreement reinforces the value of regional cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience, and parties recognise the benefits of sharing knowledge and expertise in delivering Nationally Determined Contributions. Both parties acknowledge the quality of their high conservation value assets, their contributions to sustaining livelihoods and economic development, and the importance of protecting these assets from the impacts of climate change. Parties also recognise the co-benefits that cooperative climate actions can reap in protecting high conservation value areas, enhancing adaptation actions and the importance of ensuring these actions will complement existing efforts on climate change. The cooperative work of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia will be operationalised through this Action Plan, as set out below and updated by mutual agreement.

1. Establish an annual Climate Change Dialogue

PNG and Australia will hold an annual dialogue on climate change matters, with the location of the meeting to alternate between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The dialogue will be an opportunity for senior officials from relevant departments/agencies in each country to discuss their policies and progress on climate change issues, with a particular focus on activities agreed under this Action Plan and other matters of mutual interest. The dialogue will entail exchanging views and identifying areas for cooperation in regional and international climate change agendas.

A report from the dialogue will be presented to the annual Ministerial Forum.

2. Develop the capacity of PNG national, provincial and local governments to address the impact of climate change

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of the Environment and Energy will partner with PNG’s Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and other PNG Government Departments and agencies to support and build capacity to coordinate climate change action, develop and implement policies, design and implement projects, and other relevant areas as agreed.

Support may include placement of advisors, seconded government officials or attachés, short study tours to Australia or other countries, study and training options through the PNG-Australia Leadership Precinct, scholarships for longer-term study in Australia, research assistance and publications of journals and books on environment, conservation and climate change. Partnerships with universities and scientific organisations such as CSIRO will also be explored.

Australia will look for further opportunities to work with PNG on forestry management and REDD+, with a view to assisting PNG to implement its REDD+ strategy and to assist in the implementation of the National Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.

3. Support PNG to access international and private climate finance opportunities

Building on its other capacity development activities, Australia will work with PNG to identify and leverage climate finance opportunities and assist PNG to navigate the procedural requirements of international climate funds.

4. Cooperate on direct programs for climate change action

Australia and PNG will explore cooperation through Australia’s regional Pacific Blue Carbon Initiative which aims to establish the building blocks for mapping, measuring and accounting for blue carbon and to stimulate investment. Papua New Guinea will also join the International Partnership for Blue Carbon, established by Australia in 2015. Australia will support PNG to join the International Coral Reef Initiative to connect PNG to a global community of practice seeking to address the impacts of climate change on coral reefs.

Australia and PNG will continue to cooperate on climate action including through community resilience and adaptation work supported by targeted grants and through new and existing regional programs, and scientific and research partnerships.

PNG and Australia will share insights and lessons learned from their domestic climate change actions that may be of value to both countries, and collaborate to present such valuable information at the various international forums including in COP meetings that could benefit the global community.

5. Support the development of clean energy markets and continue to focus on climate smart infrastructure

Australia will provide support to PNG’s energy sector, focussing on increasing access to clean energy. This will include support for capital projects, as well as technical assistance to optimise regulatory and institutional settings.

Australia will also continue to ensure climate change measures are mainstreamed through its development partnership with PNG by ensuring climate proofing of infrastructure. This may include reviewing building standards and design to ensure they remain adequate to enhance climate compatible development.

Signed in duplicate in the English language

for the Government of Papua New Guinea

the Hon. John Pundari

Minister for Environment and Conservation

11 May 2018

for the Government of Australia

the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP

Minister for the Environment and Energy

31 May 2018