News and Events

Seminar

The Bismarck Sustainable Development Plan - Planning for change in Papua New Guinea

Dr. Geoff Lipsett-Moore, Director of Conservation Strategies, Pacific Island Countries, The Nature Conservancy Indo-Pacific Resource Centre

Where: ARC Centre of Excellence Conference Room, JCU (DB44). Video-link to Centre for Marine Studies, UQ

When: Tuesday 3 February 2009, 9:30 am

ABSTRACT:

Dr. Geoff Lipsett-Moore will provide us with an overview of the Bismarck Sustainable Development Plan in Papua New Guinea - what it is, where it is and who it involves. The Bismarck Sustainable Development Plan is a ridges to reefs assessment aimed at providing interim direction for the protection and management of biodiversity within the Bismarck Sea and surrounding lands. Dr. Lipsett-Moore will provide an update on the status of progress so far, especially regarding the process with Provincial Governments. He will outline opportunities and challenges involved in planning for change. Climate Change poses a major threat (people being displaced from their homes due to sea level rise), but equally, opportunities (potential payments for ecosystem services for forests retained - REDD). Discussion will focus on how to maximize the opportunities and minimize the threats.