Establishing systems for sustainable integrated land-use planning across New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea
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