A Memorandum of Cooperation on a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) was signed by Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Japan on the sidelines of the 27th Climate Conference of the United Nations (COP 27) in Egypt.
The Government of Japan created the Joint Crediting Mechanism, a new project-based bilateral offset crediting system, to make it easier to adopt cutting-edge low-carbon technology for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in host countries.
The agreement's signing marked the beginning of the two nations' joint efforts to combat the effects of climate change in accordance with their respective National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The NDCs represent each nation's efforts to lower national carbon emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change.
Simo Kilepa, the Minister for Environment, Conservation, and Climate Change of Papua New Guinea, and Akihiro Nishimura, the Minister for Environment of Japan, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation in front of delegates and invited guests from both countries during COP 27.
“This occasion signals another milestone of the two countries’ bilateral relationship; this time on operationalizing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement through cooperative approaches and applying internally transferred mitigation outcomes”, said Minister Kilepa.
He said, “the cooperation is important for our countries to increase our climate change mitigation actions to support the implementation of our National Determined Contributions, including contributing to the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris (climate) Agreement”.
“Papua New Guinea welcomes and appreciates the support that the Government of Japan will provide and facilitate through technological assistance and capacity building support necessary for the administration of the mechanism within this Memorandum of Cooperation”, said Minister Kilepa.
Akihiro Nishimura, Japan's Environment Minister, acknowledged PNG's participation in the JCM. According to him, the signing will for many years to further solidify the two countries' established bilateral relationship.
“I am very pleased that we are able to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation on the establishment of the joint credited mechanism with Papua New Guinea.
“Papua New Guinea is the 25th JCM partner country. We sincerely hope that JCM will be instrumental in deployment of advanced decarbonization technologies and infrastructure in Papua New Guinea leading to not only emissions reductions but also sustainable development in Papua New Guinea”, said Minister Nishimura.
The next stage that both nations will strive toward is the execution of the Memorandum of Cooperation. After I return home and provide the National Executive Council with the appropriate information on the results of COP27, this will happen, according to Minister Kilepa.
“This is the first UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting I have participated soon after my assumption of my ministerial portfolio. I have learned that the work involved in this process is complex and challenging, especially in the key areas including climate Adaptation, Mitigation, Financing, Transparency, Markets and Non-Markets and Loss and Damage”, said Minister Kilepa.
Minister Kilepa emphasised the need for commitment, focus, and most importantly, strong leadership to ensure that the nation's top priorities for combating climate change are advanced and secured. This requires close collaboration with the nations of the Pacific region as well as the larger international community.
The technical officials from both countries who have been working tirelessly for many months to ensure the successful conclusion and signing of the bilateral agreement were also recognised and appreciated by Minister Kilepa.
“The Memorandum of Cooperation is yet another excellent testament to the importance of working together as a whole of Government, particularly in a highly technical area that requires expert level coordination and guidance,” said Minister Kilepa.
Minister Kilepa continued, "The Government's investment in officers' capacity building and our institutional strengthening has also significantly contributed in enabling PNG officials to be leaders and coordinators on key thematic areas of this Conference for the Pacific region, such as on Adaptation, which addresses response measures to climate change to protect people, livelihoods, and ecosystems; Gender and Transparency, as well as for the carriage of the country."
Reference: Papua New Guinea Today (20 November 2022). “PNG and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation on Joint Crediting Mechanism to reduce carbon emissions”.
