Papua New Guinea (PNG) has taken its first formal step toward developing a national Waste-to-Energy (WtE) policy, with an inception workshop held in Port Moresby that brought together government agencies, development partners, and regional organisations. The workshop marks the start of a structured process to translate existing research and feasibility studies into a practical policy framework and implementation roadmap. Technical support for the policy development is being provided by Alinea International, engaged by the Pacific Community (SPC) for expertise in policy analysis and roadmap design.
The initiative is part of the Pacific Adoption of Waste-to-Energy Solutions (PAWES) Project, implemented by SPC in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The WtE policy and roadmap aim to integrate energy recovery solutions into PNG’s waste management and energy systems while adhering to circular economy principles, environmental safeguards, and social inclusion standards.
Representatives from key national institutions, including the National Energy Authority (NEA) and the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), participated alongside private-sector stakeholders and research institutions. Participants reviewed the evidence base, tested the proposed policy structure, and identified realistic implementation actions that could be initiated within existing mandates and resources. NEA Manager Larsen Daboyan emphasised the importance of creating practical guidance to support PNG’s energy transition, noting the country’s challenges in waste management and electricity access.
PNG faces a dual challenge of rapidly increasing urban waste and limited electricity access, with only about 20% of the population connected to the grid, according to World Bank data. The policy process is focused on solutions tailored to PNG’s institutional capacity, waste streams, and energy needs, rather than importing off-the-shelf WtE technology. SPC Deputy Director Olai Uludong stressed that the approach should remain practical and adapted to local conditions, ensuring environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
The policy development process uses a decision-gate framework to ensure technical, institutional, and social conditions are met before advancing any WtE pathway. SPREP Solid Waste Management Adviser Susana Telakau highlighted that WtE should complement, not compete with, recycling systems and broader circular economy efforts. The workshop allowed stakeholders to validate data, confirm institutional roles, and identify priority actions for the first year of implementation.
PAWES Project Manager Christine Deo-Reddy noted that insights from the workshop will directly inform the drafting of the WtE Policy and Implementation Roadmap. The draft policy and roadmap are expected to be completed by May 2026 after further consultation with the PNG government and regional partners. Through initiatives like PAWES, SPC and its partners are working to provide sustainable, regionally appropriate solutions for waste management and renewable energy across Pacific Island countries.
The PAWES Project is co-funded by SPC and the ACP Innovation Fund under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Research and Innovation Programme, with financial support from the European Union. It is led by SPC in partnership with SPREP to support sustainable adoption of WtE solutions across the Pacific.
