Papua New Guinea’s National Adaptation Plan.

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) provides a strategic framework to support country-driven efforts to integrate climate adaptation measures into their sectoral planning processes. It follows a phased approach, integrating climate adaptation into institutional frameworks and priority sectors. The first phase focuses on four key sectors—agriculture, health, transport, and infrastructure—addressing climate impacts and adaptation targets, noting their priority in Papua New Guinea’s economy and development priorities. The timeframe of the NAP covers the period from 2022 to 2030. To build a climate-resilient and compatible development pathway through increased social, environmental, and economic resilience to climate-induced risks, the NAP has three objectives: (i) to strengthen institutional capability and capacity to effectively mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction; (ii) to build resilience at the national, subnational and sectoral levels through information and awareness-raising, education and capacity building and the provision of early warning systems, and; (iii) to facilitate resource mobilisation and foster public and private investments in climate change adaptation in priority areas.
Climate change adaptation will be improved to ensure food and water security, health, and well-being in Papua New Guinea. The resilience of the agriculture and food sectors to the impacts of climate change will be increased. Climate-smart agricultural practices will be expanded in Papua New Guinea's most vulnerable regions. The Climate Smart Agriculture Policy will be finalized, and the implementation of conservation agriculture and integrated farming systems will be encouraged. Indigenous coping strategies to drought will be promoted and implemented, and new crop varieties that can extend the tolerance range of crop growing conditions, will be introduced. Research will be conducted for the development of resilient varieties, and seed banks will be established. Climate resilient water management and conservation systems will be implemented to protect water sources, strengthen water and soil use and management, and improve water access. Water efficient irrigation will be promoted and water use will be improved. Climate resilient agricultural value chains and value chain/market infrastructure, market information and business support services will be developed to enhance food security and the resilience of vulnerable farmers. Sustainable income generating opportunities will be increased for women and the economy will be diversified to reduce the risks of climate impacts and improve access to food for children and families.
Urban and coastal infrastructure will be built or rehabilitated according to climate resilient codes and standards for increased resilience of physical assets, communities and livelihoods. Water and sanitation infrastructure and services will be improved to meet demand considering expected climate impacts. Long-term assessments of potential water supply threats, such as: droughts, saltwater intrusion, and flooding, will be carried out. The critical transport infrastructure will be rehabilitated to be climate-resilient for the use and safety of the public, economy, and essential livelihoods.
The health sector will be made responsive to the climate change driven health impacts. Evidence-based planning and decision-making will be carried out to develop climate change adaptation strategies in the health sector. A climate-health information system will be established. Environmental health services will be improved to promote climate change adaptation and reduction of climate risks. The resilience of health infrastructure will be improved to address emerging and future health challenges. Measures will be taken for the prevention and control of malaria and other climate-sensitive diseases.
The NAP provides a strategic framework to help Papua New Guinea achieve its adaptation goals and integrate climate change adaptation into sectoral planning, including cross-cutting strategies. These strategies are: (a) mainstreaming climate change adaptation and resilience; (b) climate and adaptation governance; (c) information, education, capacity building and awareness raising; (d) gender responsiveness; (e) climate resilient terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems; and (f) early warning systems and response measures to climate-induced events. The conservation, restoration and management of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems will be improved to protect livelihoods and communities. The management of coastal and inland fisheries will be strengthened, and ecosystem-based approaches will be developed for the management of fisheries. Measures will be taken for coastal rehabilitation and protection to enhance the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems. These measures include but not limited to: establishment of marine protected areas, mangrove rehabilitation, and biodiversity conservation. Strategies will be developed to protect forests from climate-related risks, such as: pests, diseases and forest fires. Reforestation and soil stabilization will be promoted. Terrestrial protected areas will be developed to enhance ecosystem services and community resilience and livelihoods. The adoption of sustainable and climate resilient natural resource management practices will be promoted. Adaptation and resilience will be enhanced through impact-based forecasting and early warning systems.