Peter O'Neill and Climate Change

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The PNG government through the leadership of Peter O'Neill has advocated vigorously in different forums about the threat posed by climate change. The Prime Minister talked about the issue at the:
The government's view was shared by the alternative government in the passing of the United Nations Paris Agreement (Implementation) Bill in 2016. Below are excerpts of what certain individuals said during the presentation of the bill in parliament: 
Jim Kas the former governor of Madang said: "climate change is affecting us and we as a nation will have to be very serious about what we are doing from the provincial level to the districts in addressing this issue".
Garry Juffa the current governor of Oro said: "My leaders we are the ones that will determine what will happen tomorrow, nobody else. No saviour is going to come from another planet or country and save Papua New Guinea. It is up to you and I and we must make those decisions. We must save our nation and we must be innovative and creative and look at technology and partner with those who have the same interest as us and provide sustainable solutions for our people so that we are not destructive and irresponsible with our environment. At the end of the day, that is the price that we will ultimately pay. Our people will pay."
Francis Awesa the former member for Imbonggu said: "The two previous ones were not implemented fully because some of these big countries like China and USA has disagreements amongst themselves and so we lost many years in between."
PNG is now seen as a poster boy for the climate change issue thanks to the leadership of Peter O'Neill. He believes that climate change is real and it is killing people and destroying communities. This view of  his as shown above is also shared by other parliamentarians regardless of where they are sitting on the floor of parliament.

The recent Boe Declaration is a confirmation of PNG's stance. Climate change presents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of Pacific people. The leaders who attend were able to reaffirm the message broadcasted by Peter O'Neill since he became the prime minister of PNG.

The Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato attended the meeting on behalf of the Prime Minister and signed the Boe Declaration.


In the Alotau Accord I, the government of Peter O'Neill committed itself to setting up the necessary policy and legislative platforms for addressing the issue of climate change domestically and internationally. They were able to achieve their plan by formulating the National Climate Compatible Development Management Policy and passing the Climate Change (Management) Act 2015.

Priority 87 of the Alotau Accord II again showed continued support for addressing the climate change issue. The O'Neill led government committed itself to strengthening adaptability to climate change challenges and wants to put more emphasis on disaster preparedness, responses and recovery.

In regards to the disaster issue, Peter O'Neill was able to visit the Manam Islanders at Zogari village to talk to the people and assess the damages caused by the recent volcanic activity. He made a commitment of K3 million to assist those affected by the disaster.

The Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato echoed priority 87 in his meeting with Norway's Minister of International Development.


Therefore, on the topic of climate as a geopolitical factor, PNG under the leadership of Peter O'Neill is a good case study. He was able to advocate the message in various platforms at the domestic, regional and international level. His government has clear plans outlined in the Alotau Accord I and II which is based on the Vision 2050 Strategic Plan, in particular Pillar 5 on Environment Sustainability and Climate Change.

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