Somare commits to climate change policies
National Reports THE national government will ensure all development taking place in the country will take into account mitigation opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, ensure adaptation issues are addressed. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said climate change was cross-sectoral and would require and “attract significant budgetary and planning implications” that would involve central agencies like Treasury and National Planning”. Sir Michael was addressing chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc and members of the national climate change committee at their first meeting last week. “In our effort to institutionalise climate change in PNG, there are varying views and understanding of this issue; which can and is causing significant negative impacts in our provinces and across the world. “It is also an issue that holds great potential and opportunity for a country like PNG to diversify its development options, particularly in the renewable energy sector and