Papua New Guinea has reaffirmed its commitment to climate leadership at the ongoing COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, with Prime Minister James Marape urging immediate global action for the protection of vital tropical forests and ocean ecosystems. Speaking to world leaders at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, Marape emphasized the need for equitable climate funding and stronger international collaboration. He described forests and oceans as “the lungs of the Earth,” underscoring their essential role in climate regulation and sustaining life.
For Marape, the stakes of climate adaptation and mitigation are particularly high, stating, “For Papua New Guinea, climate adaptation and mitigation is not a choice, it is a matter of survival.” The Prime Minister reiterated that PNG remains staunchly committed to the Paris Agreement, especially focusing on Articles 5 and 6 that recognize the importance of conserving forests and participating in carbon markets.
Notably, PNG boasts 35 million hectares of rainforest and is home to approximately 7% of the world’s biodiversity, solidifying its role as a crucial protector of nature. Marape expressed gratitude towards various partners, including the United Nations, France, Australia, and the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, for their support in PNG’s conservation initiatives.
During his visit to Brazil, Marape met with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where they cemented a cooperation framework aimed at enhancing climate action, food security, renewable energy initiatives, and biodiversity protection. The leaders characterized their partnership as pivotal in efforts to safeguard the world’s tropical forests, with Lula endorsing PNG as a “natural partner” in these historic efforts.
In another significant proposal, Marape introduced the “Pacific-to-Amazon” initiative, designed to connect ocean and forest nations across the Pacific and Latin America. This collaboration aims to unify efforts toward climate and sustainable growth, enhancing efficacy in addressing shared environmental challenges.
At a session evaluating the Paris Agreement’s progress, Marape called on wealthier nations to fulfill their financial commitments to forest nations, stating, “Our forests deserve proper conservation financing.” He advocated for the Baku–Belém Roadmap, an ambitious plan aiming to raise $1.3 trillion annually for developing nations by 2035, and supported crucial reforms across financial systems to establish fair climate funding frameworks.
Highlighting PNG’s carbon-negative status, Marape promised to uphold commitments to halt deforestation, rehabilitate degraded lands, and protect significant marine reserves from illegal activities. Through the Earth3 Platform, he outlined possible carbon credit projects that prioritize the preservation of forests while benefiting local communities economically.
Marape’s impassioned plea to fellow leaders was clear: “If this generation of leaders fails to find real financing solutions for forest nations, history will judge us harshly.” He underscored the uniqueness of Earth, emphasizing the urgency to act collectively, stating, “There is no planet like Earth… This planet is worth fighting for. Let us save it together.”
In his closing remarks, Marape reaffirmed PNG’s dedication to the global environmental cause, indicating that the fight against climate change is increasingly about safeguarding humanity rather than solely protecting trees. By fostering international cooperation and sustainable solutions, Papua New Guinea is setting a hopeful precedent for climate action efforts globally.