With the ever-present threat of biodiversity loss from unsustainable farming practices the need to sustainably manage land usage is essential.

How would this be achieved?

A new project titled “Establishing systems for sustainable integrated land-use planning across New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea,” launched in Kimbe, West New Britain Province on October 20. Its main objective is to promote and support sustainable land-use management.

The six-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme working in partnership with key government stakeholders in the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), provincial governments of East and West New Britain, private sector and communities.

Mr Edward Vrkic, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, at the official launch said “After several years of the project being in the development phase, we are very excited to finally be able to join our implementing partner, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, to launch project activities. What is unique about the project compared to many others is the way it brings governments, private sector, and communities together.”

The project is aligned with global objectives of the Food Land Use Restoration (FOLUR) Global Programme, which sets out to establish sustainable, integrated landscapes and efficient food value/supply chains at scale.

“The New Britain project in Papua New Guinea is one of 27 country projects throughout the world that seeks to transform the global food system by promoting sustainable, integrated landscapes and efficient commodity value chains and looking into the production landscapes of eight commodities; beef, cocoa, corn, coffee, palm oil, rice, soy and wheat. The New Britain Project will look at cocoa and palm oil,” explained Mr Vrkic.

The project will look to address barriers such as knowledge gaps in sustainable production, prevalence of unsustainable practices, unresponsive supply chains and limited access to finance.

Mr Vrkic added; “UNDP’s Global Strategy seeks out signature solutions to promote nature-based solutions for a sustainable planet; and that these solutions are scaled up for sustainable management of natural resources, including sustainable commodities and green and inclusive value chains. This GEF FOLUR Project will serve as a tool to assist Papua New Guinea with its post-pandemic dreams and aspirations towards sustainable economic development, offering a fair deal to all through achieving green commodities.”