WEST NEW BRITAIN

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Environment & Climate Change Unit (ECCU)

Overview

The Environment & Climate Change Unit (ECCU) leads West New Britain’s work to protect natural resources and strengthen community resilience to climate change and disasters.

Key Outcome: Protecting the environment and building climate resilience through policy, data, conservation, adaptation, and finance.

Core Functions

The key functions of the ECCU include:

  • Policy & planning: Draft and advise on Provincial climate and environment policy and sector guidance.
  • Data & monitoring: Operate the Provincial Geospatial Information System (GIS) and Environment and Climate Change (ECC) database once facility is available.
  • Conservation: Support establishment and community co‑management of marine and terrestrial protected areas.
  • Community resilience: Deliver adaptation pilots, climate‑smart livelihood projects, and school safety awareness materials.
  • Finance & Partnerships: Design a Provincial Biodiversity & Climate Trust Fund and coordinate Donor support.

Key Responsibilities

The Division is responsible for:

  • Providing policy leadership and sector guidance on climate and environment.
  • Operating environmental data and GIS systems for planning and early warning.
  • Supporting legally recognized protected areas and community agreements.
  • Designing finance mechanisms for biodiversity and climate resilience.
  • Coordinating ECC mainstreaming across sectors, Districts, and LLGs.

Programs & Services

The ECCU delivers the following programs and services. These program activities are not programs as listed on the Finances’ chart of accounts, but are directly related:

  1. Provincial Climate & Environment Policy – drafting, consultation, and sector guidance.
  2. GIS/ECC database & dashboard – public GIS, baseline surveys, and quarterly monitoring snapshots.
  3. Protected areas support – identification, legal recognition, and community co‑management for MPAs/LMMAs.
  4. Adaptation pilots & education – mangrove restoration, climate‑smart agriculture, water security pilots in communities; climate education and school safety in schools.
  5. Trust fund design & pilot grants – feasibility, governance design, and pilot grant cycles for community resilience projects.
  6. DRR integration – In collaboration with the Provincial Disaster office, integrate ECC maps into early‑warning systems and joint contingency planning for coastal storms.

Structure & Leadership

The Division is headed by the Environment & Climate Change Unit Lead, who oversees teams responsible for:

  • Policy & Planning
  • GIS & Monitoring
  • Conservation & Protected Areas
  • Community Resilience & Education
  • Finance & Partnerships

Strategic Focus

The ECCU is committed to:

  • Mainstreaming climate and environment considerations across Provincial service delivery.
  • Building LLG and District capacity on ECC and GIS tools.
  • Strengthening community resilience through ecosystem‑based adaptation.
  • Establishing sustainable finance for biodiversity and climate action.
  • Transparent, regular monitoring and public reporting.

Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2024–2027

Cross‑referenced to WNBIPDP IV Strategic Priority Area 10 (Climate Change & Environment Protection):

  1. Policy adoption: Provincial Climate & Environment Policy adopted.

Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.2 (Provincial Climate & Environment Policy).

  • Data systems: GIS/ECC database live and publicly accessible.

Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.1 (Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation).

  • Protected areas: 3 MPAs/LMMAs legally recognized and community agreements signed.
    Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.2 (Environment Protection & Community Co‑management).
  • Community reach: 6 adaptation pilot communities and 10 schools engaged.

Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.1 (Community Adaptation & Resilience).

  • Finance: Trust Fund governance established and at least one pilot grant awarded.

Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.2 (Biodiversity & Climate Trust Fund).

  • Reporting cadence: Quarterly monitoring reports and annual ECC progress report to PMT.

Alignment: SPA.10 — DIP 10.1 (Monitoring & Reporting Systems).

Contact Information

Division: Environment & Climate Change Unit (ECCU)
Phone: +675 73551117
Email:
Location: Kimbe-Provincial Headquarter