A case study on land grab and deforestation in PNG was launched today (Wednesday), by the Accra Caucus on Forest and Climate Change. The study carried out by the PNG Eco Forestry Forum, highlights logging through SABLs are main drivers for deforestation in PNG, while REDD+ is expected to protect the forest and environment

The case study suggest that the SABLs are confusing what should be the purpose of REDD. It says many PNG landowners believe SABLs have nothing to do with development and are actively harming local people and the REDD+ in the process. Some of the SABLs were issued over areas that have been designated as potential areas for the REDD+ pilot program

The case study shows that the objectives of REDD+  are threaten by the ever increasing rate of deforestation Agro forest projects and Oil palm projects continue to take huge amounts of forest land. This is putting pressure on the implementation of the REDD+ pilot projects

The study also suggest that three quarters of the country’s forest will deforested if current logging trends go unchecked

PNG is one of the first countries to pilot the REDD + project but since its inception in 2009, it has done little to halt deforestation