Food for thought for the Solomon Islands

Here are some selected extracts of regional weekend news stories in relation to road transport and the agricultural sector

In New Zealand the Climate Change Commission has released its final report laying out the roadmap to slash emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050.

These set the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions over five-year blocks: 2025, 2026-2030 and 2031-35.

It calls for progressively deeper emissions reductions. From 15 percent by 2025 for long-lived greenhouse gases - up to 63 percent by 2035.

The plan outlines sweeping changes to society, laying out proposals for the first of three emissions budgets for the country

These set the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions over five-year blocks: 2025, 2026-2030 and 2031-35.

It calls for progressively deeper emissions reductions. From 15 percent by 2025 for long-lived greenhouse gases - up to 63 percent by 2035.

New Zealand made international commitments in 2006 to cut total emissions to 30 percent of 2005 levels by 2030.

Some Climate Change Commission final report recommendations

Vehicle use on Honiara roads.

Transport

Nearly all cars imported by 2035 must be electric vehicles

Road transport can be almost completely decarbonised by 2050

By end of 2022 set targets to get more people walking, cycling and using public transport

 Agriculture

 To get to the higher 47 percent reduction range for agriculture would require cutting agricultural production from livestock unless new technology came online.

Set a farm emission carbon pricing scheme, or look to bring agriculture into the emission trading scheme (something the government must make a decision on by next year)

Energy

Phase out the use of boilers that burn fossil fuels

A major expansion in the electricity system needed to start immediately

Forestry

Establishing a comprehensive plan for new native forests.

These can be on steeper, less productive land. Its plan assumes assumes 300,000 hectares of new native forests and 380,000 hectares of new exotic forests are to be established between 2021 and 2035

Just transition

Supporting workers to transition from high-emissions sectors to low-emissions sectors

Horticulture

Land converted to horticulture up from 2000 hectares a year to 3500 hectares a year

Source. Radio New Zealand.

Agriculture is vital to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) economy. Agriculture provides 22% of PNG’s GDP, accounts for 11% of its exports and supports over 80% of the population. When inflows from the resource sector weaken it is time for the agriculture sector to strengthen.

This is particularly true for exports, which have been shown to be a pathway for many economies to sustained development.

If people are going to continue to eat, earn a living and survive, agriculture is extremely important – more so during these difficult COVID-19 times. This blog looks at agriculture, and in particular the flows of income that would enter the export sector as revenues based on exchange rate policies.

Agricultural export revenues can still be increased, if the PNG government makes it a priority, limits the rationing of foreign exchange and allows the exchange rate to adjust to its market level. If and when a resource boom ends, agriculture can take its place as the major engine of growth and employment.

Source: Blog by Rohan Fox a Research Officer at the Development Policy Centre. He lectured in the economics program at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2015, 2016 and 2020.

His article appeared first on Devpolicy Blog (devpolicy.org), from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

www.solomonislandsinfocus.com