PNG Biomass registers two projects under gold standard: Authority

Business

THE Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has announced the registration of two projects in Papua New Guinea under the gold standard for global goals.
The two projects are being undertaken by PNG Biomass and includes bio energy and A/R (afforestation and reforestation) in Markham Valley, Morobe.
The A/R project is partly a CCDA forestry/tree farming business and a part of PNG Biomass and the biomass energy project which is a biomass energy power plant.
The gold standard for the global goals enables project developers to quantify and optimise their project’s impacts towards climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development as prescribed by the Paris agreement and the United Nation’s 17 sustainable development goals.
CCDA managing director Ruel Yamuna said it was important to have the industry in PNG take climate action seriously and register their projects under the gold standard.
“The gold standard is one of the most stringent voluntary carbon market standards,” he said.
“If we are to meet the ambition of the Paris agreement and the sustainable development goals, action cannot be one-dimensional, nor can it be incremental.
“For the transition to an equitable and sustainable world, impacts must be holistic, transformational, and delivered at an exponential pace.
“In 2012, we had two biogas projects in PNG registered under the gold standard, almost a decade later we are now thrilled to have two more projects receiving gold standard certified design status.
“PNG Biomass has registered two projects, a ‘biomass energy’ project and the tree farming as an ‘afforestation and reforestation’ project, this is the first so-called AR project in PNG.
“For us, this is a significant milestone, it shows clear climate action in PNG and supports our Government’s policies.
“This registration is such a great practical climate outcome of the collaboration with Oil Search.
“During Apec in 2018, we established a public-private partnership with Oil Search on climate change resilience in PNG.
“This is further strengthened by a NEC decision, which set the basis for a memorandum of understanding between CCDA, Oil Search and the biomass power plant contractor AFRY to reinforce our mutual commitment to the development of renewable energy in PNG.
“The COP25 meeting in Madrid focused on ‘time for action’, so we really commend Oil Search for driving this PNG Biomass renewable energy and forestation project to demonstrate action on the ground in Papua New Guinea.
“The registration of these two projects is also timely in respect to the recent MoU signed with the coalition of partnership capacity to participate in carbon offsetting and encourages action to progress emissions reduction projects particularly in REDD+ activities.”
PNG Biomass project director Michael Henson said: “We are a cost-effective independent power producer that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
“We believe PNG Biomass will substantially enhance PNG’s reputation in demonstrating climate action and help transition the country to a fully renewable energy sector.”