PNG and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation on Joint Crediting Mechanism to reduce carbon emissions

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT: Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Japan today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) at the margins of the United Nations 27th Climate Conference (COP 27) in Egypt. 

The Joint Crediting Mechanism is an emerging project-based bilateral offset crediting mechanism initiated by the Government of Japan to facilitate implementation of advanced low-carbon technologies for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in host countries.

The signing signaled the start of the two countries’ collaborative efforts to meet their respective National Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitment under the Paris Agreement in addressing the impacts of climate change. NDCs are efforts by each country to reduce national carbon emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, Honorable Simo Kilepa and Japan’s Minister for Environment, Akihiro Nishimura and witnessed by Papua New Guinea and Japanese delegates and invited guests at COP 27.

“Today’s occasion signals another milestone of the two countries’ bilateral relationship; this time on operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement through cooperative approaches and applying internally transferred mitigation outcomes”, said Minister Kilepa. 

He said “the cooperation is important for our countries to increase our climate change mitigation actions to support the implementation of our National Determined Contributions including contributing to the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris (climate) Agreement”.

“Papua New Guinea welcomes and appreciates the support that the Government of Japan will provide and facilitate through technological assistance and capacity building support necessary for the administration of the mechanism within this Memorandum of Cooperation”, said Minister Kilepa. 

Japan’s Minister for Environment, Akihiro Nishimura, acknowledged PNG’s partnership in the JCM. He said the signing will further strengthen long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries in many years to come. 

“Today I am very pleased that we are able to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation on the establishment of the joint credited mechanism with Papua New Guinea.

“Papua New Guinea is the 25th JCM partner country. We sincerely hope that JCM will be instrumental in deployment of advanced decarbonization technologies and infrastructure in Papua New Guinea leading to not only emissions reductions but also sustainable development in Papua New Guinea”, said Minister Nishimura. 

The implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation is the next phase both countries will be working towards. This will be subsequent to the necessary briefing to the National Executive Council on the outcomes of COP27 after my return home, said Minister Kilepa. 

“This is the first UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting I have participated soon after my assumption of my ministerial portfolio.  I have learned that the work involved in this process is complex and challenging, especially in the key areas including climate Adaptation, Mitigation, Financing, Transparency, Markets and Non-Markets and Loss and Damage”, said Minister Kilepa. 

Minister Kilepa highlighted that it requires commitment, focus and more importantly strong leadership in ensuring the country’s key priorities on the climate change agenda are advanced and secured by working also in close partnership with our Pacific region countries and the wider international community. 

Minister Kilepa also acknowledged with appreciation the valued contributions from the technical officials from both countries who have been working tirelessly over many months in ensuring the successful conclusion and signing of the bilateral arrangement. 

“The Memorandum of Cooperation is yet another excellent testament to the importance of working together as a whole of Government, particularly in a highly technical area that requires expert level coordination and guidance,” said Minister Kilepa.

Minister Kilepa further stated that the Government’s investment in officers’ capacity building and our institutional strengthening has also contributed significantly in enabling PNG officials being leaders and coordinators on key thematic areas of this Conference for the Pacific region such as on Adaptation, which addresses response measures to climate change to protect people, livelihoods and ecosystems; Gender and Transparency, and also for the carriage of the country’s mandate as the Chair for the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN). 

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