Manus leaders learn about climate change

The Manus provincial administration is taking the lead in educating its provincial leaders on effective service delivery underpinned by the development principles of the Vision 2050, where the fifth pillar is climate change and environment sustainability.
The office of climate change and development (OCCD) organised the one-day consultation in collaboration with the Manus provincial government and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in the province as part of the Manus leaders’ summit last month.
More than 150 ward reps, LLG presidents and other leaders actively participated in climate change-related issues including adaptation needs and measures, reduction of greenhouse gases and sustainable alternate livelihoods.
Manus provincial administrator Kulu-En Hamou said: “We need to act together today and emphasised the challenge in addressing climate change issues and the need for national and provincial government to work together with the civil society.”
The national consultation process aims to refine and improve the national strategy for climate-compatible development through feedback from the communities and other key stakeholders as well as pilot projects on the initiatives.
The outcome of the consultation will also be shared with the provincial administration. 
The consultation is the first of a series of consultation events to come in representative provinces all over the country.
The OCCD was established by NEC decision 54/2010 to coordinate all climate-related policies and activities in PNG.
The OCCD assumed full operations on Sept 1, under the leadership of the acting executive director Dr Wari Iamo.
With 20 staff, its focus areas include coordinating policy and pilot projects for REDD+, adaptation and non land-use based mitigation, setting up of a credible national MRV (measurement, reporting and verification) system, conducting national consultation over the national strategy for climate-compatible development with stakeholders and preparing for international climate change negotiations.
The people of Manus are facing serious threats from rising sea levels, coastal erosion and saltwater flooding of agricultural lands.