Illegal logging must end for Aust-PNG Forest Carbon Partnership success

The Partnership was announced last month and discussed this week at the PNG-Australian ministerial forum in Madang, PNG.  This Partnership will see both countries identify and implement projects which will deliver money to PNG in return for PNG's commitment to reduce deforestation.

"While the spirit of this partnership is to be applauded, it is vital that the Australian Government lives up to an election promise and restrict the estimated A$400 million worth of illegal timber being imported into Australia each year, much of which comes from PNG," Greenpeace Forest and Climate Campaigner Paul Winn said.

For the Partnership to be a success, the PNG Government must show willingness to address illegal and destructive logging activities.

The problem of illegal and destructive logging in PNG is well documented. Last week the PNG Forest Minister, Beldan Namah, admitted that logging companies routinely flout laws with the help of corrupt officials. He was quoted as saying: "I've noticed a lot of corruption going on within the Forest Department".

The Australian Institute of Criminology also released a report last week that said between 70 and 90 per cent of logging in PNG is illegal. The report said: "given the scale of illegal logging in PNG, it is estimated that timber resources will be depleted in 10 years if logging continues at the present rate".[i]

PNG stands to earn substantial income by protecting forests and participating in post-2012 international carbon markets as part of the Kyoto Protocol.

"Although PNG has some of the best forest management laws in the world, it has done little to enforce compliance by the predominantly Malaysian logging companies, many of whom provide significant funds to the electoral campaign coffers of the main PNG political parties," Winn said.

"With such a poor reputation as a forest manager, it will be difficult for PNG to convince global carbon trading markets that they have the capacity and willingness to monitor and enforce forest protection."