Sustainable Energy Policy for Papua New Guinea Incorporating Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Abstract

This policy paper presents some key policy implications of the current drive in Papua New Guinea to develop a Sustainable Energy Policy, coinciding with demonstrated national efforts aimed at designing a Sustainable Land Use Policy for the nation. The central thesis of the paper is that registered urban planners can play an imperative role towards actualizing a sustainable energy policy in Papua New Guinea. Registered planners uniquely hold the key to approving or rejecting applications for energy projects, which must be supported with standard environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports to be eligible for planning consent through the Department of Environment. However, for this to be possible the nation must overcome some challenges, including long-term funding and capacity building, without which the abundant renewable energy resources possessed by the country may amount to a colossal waste. The paper makes some policy recommendations for overcoming these challenges, including a careful design, funding and implementation of the proposed National Sustainable Land Use Policy and the proposed National REDD+ Strategy, backed by smart capacity building and energy research programs by the universities, as well as sustained public participation.