Iduhu urges clarity on carbon trade policy

By HELEN TARAWA
FOREST Minister and Angoram MP Salio Waipo says he will work with the PNG Forest Authority to ensure that the country can maximise benefits from trading carbon.
Waipo was responding to questions by Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu on the Papua New Guinea’s carbon trade policy.
Iduhu said the value of this resource was worth being understood and planned for in order for the country to extract the most benefit from.
“This very special area still sits without a regulatory regime, and is floating between the Environment and Conservation Department portfolio and Forestry,” Iduhu said.
“The question is whether or not carbon is considered as a forest product and therefore would come within the ambit of the Forestry Act in the legislative reform. “It may be an opportunity that would go begging again yet again if not addressed promptly.”
Waipo said his district had the April Salome conservation area which covered Angoram and stretched to Wosera-Gawi and Ambunti-Dreikikier districts and he appreciated the need for clarity on the carbon issue.
“I will also need your support as the former chairman of the forest board to work together with the support of all the ministers and members of Parliament,” he said.
“I recognise this policy that you have brought to get the support of this house to ensure carbon can be incorporated with the Forestry Department and make it one so we can bring full benefits to the country.
“I’m new to the department, but will get a brief from the department and I will bring it to parliament in the next sitting,” he said.