Project Summary

The project will focus activities on the landscape of New Britain Island. At 3,330,890 ha, the island ranges from dense lowland plains to a central mountainous spine with peaks of over 2,000 m. With high levels of forest cover the island represents an area of high value biodiversity but is also at threat from rapid forest loss due to agricultural conversion with over 450,000 ha under permits for forest clearance for palm oil and cocoa.

This pressure is driven by PNG’s socio-economic status, which includes a desire for economic development and income, rapid population growth and the high importance of agriculture in PNG’s economy. These impacts are exacerbated within the agricultural sector due to knowledge gaps in sustainable production, prevalence of unsustainable practices, unresponsive supply chains and limited access to finance.

In addressing these barriers, the project will help to deliver: 50,000 ha of land restored, 2,712,364 ha of landscapes under improved practices (excluding protected areas), 32.3 million metric tons CO2e of direct post-project. The project will also deliver direct economic and/or noneconomic benefits to 66,647 individuals (28,838 females and 37,809 males).

Project Objectives

To reduce rates of agricultural driven deforestation and biodiversity loss and to establish a sustainable system of land-use planning to guide future land development activities, sustainable and resilient commodity/crop production and farming systems across Papua New Guinea.

Project Outcomes

The objective will be achieved through the implementation of four key project components (outcomes).

• Component 1: Development of integrated landscape management systems
• Component 2: Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains to reduce land stress and avert degradation and deforestation
• Component 3: Conservation and restoration of natural habitats
• Component 4: Knowledge management and impact monitoring

Expected Results

• National Sustainable Land Use Planning Policy Framework, supporting effective management of development activities, formulated, legalized and mainstreamed into the development planning process for two provinces, four districts and four LLGs.
• Strengthened cooperation and coordination within Cocoa and Palm Oil sectors for enhanced sustainability productivity and investment and reduced land clearance.
• Strengthened Smallholders Support Systems through improvement of access to technical support, finance, and markets.
• Strengthened value chains to enable sustainable agricultural production.
• Strengthened governance structures and institutional capacity for integrated action on conservation and restoration of natural habitats.
• Enhanced uptake and effective planning and management of buffer zones set aside and restoration actions the target provinces.
• Integrated knowledge management, coordination and collaboration to enhance knowledge of factors to foster lessons learns for replication in other areas.

Project ID Number: 00123940

Status: Active

Time Frame: 01 July 2022 – 30 June 2028

Location: Papua New Guinea

Focal Area: Environment and Energy

Beneficiaries: Government of Papua New Guinea

Partners: Conservation & Environment Protection Authority, Provincial Administrations of East and West New Britain

Donor(s):  GEF Trust Fund (FOLUR - Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program) UNDP TRAC Resources

Budget: USD $10.7 million

Project Duration: 6 years

Contacts:
Chief Technical Advisor
Mr. Adam Starr
Ph: +(675) 7984 4601
Email: adam.starr@undp.org