Climate resilience workshop held in Pom

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 22, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

Vigorous discussions were held at a workshop conducted by the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) on the inception of the Papua New Guinea’s own Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR) at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby last week.

The workshop ran for two days with representation from government implementing agencies; developments partners and the PNG SPCR team from OCCD.

SPCR’s overall aim is to enhance PNG’s resilience to climate change through improved access to resources, knowledge, tools, and climate resilient infrastructure- at the national, sectorial, district, and community levels.

Formation of the SPCR was a result of funding in the tune of US$30 million (over K75 million), being allocated to the country by the Climate Investment Fund (CIF), which is the body responsible for funds donated by industrialised countries as compensation to countries that have been most affected by climate change in the developing world.

Team leader for the technical assessment team for SPCR, George Romilly said that PNG was chosen among of 14 developing countries to be a part of the Pilot Program on Climate Resilience.

“There is $US8 billion in the investment fund, which then breaks it up to commitment in three areas of assistance, and PNG has received the US$30 million under the Risk Management element of the fund.”

“The amount will be put into four component areas that will be allocated funding from the grant,”Romilly said.

Components include; the building of climate resilient communities; risks to food security; climate resilient infrastructure; and the establishment of a project management unit.