Locations
Our Focus
Environment and Climate Change
Overview
Papua New Guinea is among the world’s 17 megadiverse countries. Despite making up only about 1% of the world’s land mass, as much as 9% of the world’s biodiversity is estimated to be found in the country. Over 90% of Papua New Guineans depend on this spectacular natural heritage for their daily survival.
Despite this abundance of natural resources, Papua New Guinea has faced significant environmental challenges in the past decades. Harmful extractive practices, unsustainable land use, climate change, pollution, and various other factors have contributed to serious environmental degradation in the country. This has had adverse effects on the country’s economy and people’s health and livelihoods.
UNDP actively works with local communities and the Government of Papua New Guinea to protect the country’s natural heritage. Together, we are expanding the coverage of protected areas across the country and reclaiming thousands of hectares of degraded land through reforestation efforts. On New Britain Island, we are developing systems for sustainable land use planning and to support local MSMEs in developing livelihoods to preserve local coral reefs. We also continue to help raise finance for conservation efforts in the country as a key supporter of the PNG Biodiversity and Climate Fund.
Our projects
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