LocationsIn his op-ed for World Environment Day 2026, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth, calls for increased investments in conserving and harnessing the full potential of Papua New Guinea's natural heritage
Let's take climate action now for a more resilient tomorrow
June 4, 2026
As many as 90% of Papua New Guineans depend on the country's extraordinary natural resources for their daily subsistence
UNDP Papua New Guinea/Juho Valta
On this World Environment Day, UNDP joins the Government and people of Papua New Guinea in celebrating the country's extraordinary natural heritage and reaffirming our commitment to climate action.
This year's global theme, "Climate Action Now," reminds us that climate change is not a future challenge. Across Papua New Guinea, communities are already experiencing its impacts through floods, droughts, coastal erosion and other climate-related hazards. Climate action is therefore about more than protecting the environment—it is about protecting people, livelihoods and the nation's future.
Papua New Guinea is one of the world's most biologically rich countries and has long been a global leader in climate action. PNG played a pioneering role in advancing the REDD+ agenda and continues to champion stronger climate action through international forums. At home, the country has invested in the policies, institutions and frameworks needed to respond to climate change and unlock climate finance. Today, those investments are beginning to pay off.
Through our global Climate Promise Initiative, UNDP has supported Papua New Guinea in the development of its NDC 3.0, helping strengthen national coordination, stakeholder engagement and the country's pathway towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
On the islands of New Britain and New Ireland, UNDP has worked on improving local cocoa cultivation as a sustainable yet lucrative livelihood for local communities
UNDP Papua New Guinea/Clive Hawigen
Climate finance is critical to turning climate commitments into action. UNDP is supporting PNG to strengthen access to international climate finance, build national capacity and develop investments that accelerate renewable energy, protect forests and biodiversity, and strengthen resilience.
A major milestone has been the establishment of the PNG Biodiversity and Climate Fund (BCF), the country's emerging financing mechanism for biodiversity conservation and climate action. Through community grants, local organizations and landowners across 19 provinces are protecting forests, restoring ecosystems and strengthening resilience to climate change.
Support for sustainable land-use planning is also helping communities balance economic development with environmental protection. Across landscapes in East New Britain and West New Britain, more than 30,000 hectares are under improved management, while farmers are benefiting from more sustainable cocoa, oil palm and agroforestry systems.
In Milne Bay Province, UNDP has supported local ecolodges in improving their facilities to boost the region's potential for sustainable ecotourism
UNDP Papua New Guinea/Seru Kepa
Our work extends from the forests to the oceans. In Kimbe Bay and the Louisiade Archipelago, communities and businesses are demonstrating how reef-positive enterprises, sustainable fisheries and other blue economy opportunities can create jobs while protecting marine ecosystems. UNDP is also supporting renewable energy solutions, including in Buin, while strengthening disaster resilience through the modernization of the National Emergency Management framework, improved early warning systems and stronger disaster risk governance.
The solutions to climate change already exist in Papua New Guinea's forests, oceans, communities and people. The task before us is to scale them through stronger partnerships, increased investment and decisive action.
Together, by protecting our oceans, restoring our forests and acting on climate now, we can build a more resilient, prosperous and sustainable future for all Papua New Guineans.