Beyond the Shoreline: Why Sea Level Rise Is a National and Global Threat

 Heading: Looking at how Papua New Guinea and the rest of the world are tackling sea level rise as part of the climate crisis.

By: Dulcie. AWALI

 

[Screenshot from Source https://only.one/read/tidal-threats ]

You may be wondering why is it important to learn about the various policies or guidelines that the government sets to fight against climate crisis? It is important to be aware of what our government is doing to fight against this issue simply because it is affecting our vulnerable regions in the country and can affect you as an individual one way or another. And, if you have not witnessed the impact yet, maybe in the future you or your generation will be affected. In this case, the effects of climate change, more specifically -sea level rise does not impact livelihoods overnight but takes years for the changes to occur and the sea to slowly eat away our land -that is why it is known as a security issue because is affecting our local communities and their livelihood.

[Screenshot from Source https://only.one/read/tidal-threats ]

There are three (3) main levels that we will discuss further into how various stakeholders are addressing the issue of rising sea levels nationally, regionally & internationally.

1. National Level

Why is the National Security Policy (2013) important?

The National Security Policy (NSP) is an important piece of document for the National Government. It was published by the PNG National Security Advisory Committee in 2013. This document outlines how the security threats is significant to address in order to protect PNG’s sovereignty as an independent nation. So, this document highlights that Climate Change is a non-traditional security threat. What this simply means is that, in the past countries focus on military threats as severe dangers to human lives, but overtime, this concept has evolved. Climate change has caused detrimental impact on the lives of many people in the world today, destroying infrastructures like schools and clinics and endangering the lives of people. That is why, PNG identifies that over the years we have also seen the impacts of climate change in our societies; hence, it was noted as a security threat so that the government can take responsible measures to mitigate or address the issue affecting our communities within the country.

Based on this, there were two main (2) supporting national policies created to address the issue more specifically. They are; PNG’s National Climate Compatible Development Management Policy (NCCDMP) (2014) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) (2022-2030).

What is the NCCDMP 2014 & the NAP?

The NCCDMP is in alignment with the PNG Vision 2050 and the National Development Strategic Plan (2010-2030). Before 2014, the country had no coherent framework to guide the implementation of climate-related initiatives across various sectors. With the rise in climate concerns nationally, it was time for a unified approach to climate and development planning in the national sector. Hence, the creation of the NCCDMP was brought forward in 2014. The main focus of the NCCDMP 2014 was to integrate climate change considerations into national development planning and promote sustainable economic growth. One of its key objectives is to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance adaptive capacities across sectors.

So, as a result of this progress, the NAP was adapted and endorsed as a national plan with goals to achieve from a period of less than 10 years. After the Climate Change Management Act (2022) was amended, it paved way for the NAP to be established. This plan was established by the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) after being part of several international dialogues on climate change -it was time for a strategic plan. Since climate change has already deeply affected the country and obviously can’t be reversed, the adaptation plan became a way for the government and stakeholders to help people adjust to the crisis—and improve their lives in the process. The plan features priority sectors in the government and emphasizes adaptation in agriculture, health, transport, and infrastructure sectors. It also outlines timelines, targets, and indicators to track progress from 2022 to 2030. This plan is in collaboration with international donors like the UNDP and engages the local communities within the country in effective adaptation measures. For instance, projects like the mangrove planting in Riwo village highlights the adaptation plan for local communities against the gradual increase in sea level rise in Madang Province (World Vision, 2021).

[Picture Taken by: Eco She]

Sea wall building Project -an initiative by Bernard Yegiora at the Binnen Point Community in Madang Town

2. Regional Level

Why is it important?

PNG isn’t the only one facing climate change. Our Pacific neighbours are also affected some even more severely. While the industrial world continues to emit large amounts of carbon, it’s our small island countries that suffer the consequences. In reality, most of the industrialized countries are developed countries and they emit an extensive amount of carbon dioxide that pollute the atmosphere resulting in the negative impacts of climate change. Sadly, vulnerable countries within the Pacific are greatly facing the devastating impacts of global warming. Affecting their economy, community and livelihood. PNG is just one of the many PICs that are facing the challenges of climate change every day.

Hence, a unified regional voice is needed to collectively advocate on the pressing issues affecting their communities on the global front. When this common ground was identified by the PIC leaders, the Pacific Islands Forum or PIF was established. One of the key concerns for the PIF is Climate Change and Disaster Resilience. Based on negotiations between PIF leaders, the Boe Declaration was formulated.

What is the Boe Declaration?

The Boe Declaration was signed in 2018 by leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, including PNG. It’s basically a statement that says: “Security today isn’t just about war or conflict—it’s also about things like climate change, disasters, and human rights.” The leaders agreed that climate change is the biggest security threat to the region. Imagine your home slowly sinking because of rising sea levels—this is already happening in places like Kiribati and parts of PNG. The Boe Declaration pushes for countries to work together, share resources, and support each other to build resilience. It’s like a regional agreement that says: “We’re all in this together—let’s protect our people, land, and future.”

 

3. International Level

When we talk about sea level rise on the international level, we have to mention two major things: the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

Significance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement

The UNFCCC is the global framework where countries commit to tackling climate change together. Its goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas levels so we don’t cause dangerous disruptions to the climate system. Article 7 of the UNFCCC focuses on cooperation among governments, NGOs, and other groups to help share knowledge and support action.

PNG is part of this. For example, we are involved in the REDD+ program, which supports efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation. Recently, the PNG Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) ran a training on the Safeguards Information System (SIS) to improve how we report and share climate data. This shows that PNG is serious about its role in the global fight against climate change.

At the same time, the Paris Agreement is another key agreement under the UNFCCC. It aims to keep global temperature rise below 2°C. Countries involved are expected to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline their plans to adapt and cut emissions.

PNG submitted its second NDC, known as the Enhanced NDC, in 2020. This document sets out nine priority areas for adaptation, and guess what’s listed first? Coastal flooding and sea-level rise. As part of this, the Office of Climate Change and Development even created a community-based mangrove planting handbook to help local people protect their coastlines. And it’s working—like in Riwo, Madang Province, where 600 kids planted over 700 mangroves in celebration of World Environment Day (Villegas, 2021).

But here’s the catch—money. Many of the projects tackling sea level rise, like helping people relocate, managing freshwater, and dealing with erosion, are funded by NGOs and foreign aid. This includes World Vision, UNDP, and donor countries like Australia and the US. The PNG government still lacks strong, internal funding systems to manage this on its own.

This creates a big risk. If international donors pull out, we could lose the progress we’ve made. A good example is when Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement. Zhu-Maguire (2025) said this decision had major consequences for Pacific Island nations, including PNG. In response, PNG leaders called the move “morally wrong and irresponsible,” accusing the US of abandoning its duty to help developing countries adapt to climate change.

This shows how fragile our progress can be. We need strong global partnerships, long-term funding, and climate leadership from everyone not just words, but action. Because what’s at stake is more than just coastlines it’s our communities, our culture, and our future.

 

Recommendations

     I.  Integrate traditional knowledge into education and climate policy

It’s really important to include traditional knowledge in our national climate strategies especially in education and policymaking. Why? Because our local communities have lived with the land and sea for generations. They have deep knowledge about how the environment behaves and changes over time. George (2024) emphasizes that “wide consultation is essential” to fully understand PNG’s most urgent security threats. By respecting and using this knowledge, our government and schools can create stronger, more relevant climate plans that connect with the people and this also helps amplify the Pacific Way in regional and global climate discussions.

II.  Include cultural resilience in regional security policies

While the Boe Declaration is a big step in recognizing climate change as a security threat, it doesn’t fully include cultural and societal resilience in its plans (Trundle, 2021). This is a major gap. Many Pacific communities rely on their cultural practices like seasonal migration, kinship networks, and land rituals as coping tools. If we don’t include these cultural strengths in our regional security approach, we risk losing them in the process of adapting to climate change. So, integrating these aspects into regional frameworks ensures our communities are not only surviving but also preserving who they are in the face of climate threats.

   III.    Invest more in local climate adaptation projects

Right now, funding from global mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund under the UNFCCC is not equally reaching the regions that need it most (Mori et al., 2019). For example, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) hasn’t been fair in how it allocates funds to Pacific Island Nations like PNG. This matters because we are among the most vulnerable to rising sea levels—but we often receive the least support. More investment should go directly to climate adaptation projects in high-risk areas like our coastal villages. This will empower local communities to take action whether through sea walls, mangrove planting, or freshwater system protection and give them a fighting chance.

 

Final Summary: Why Addressing Sea Level Rise Matters

From Riwo village in Madang to regional platforms like the Pacific Islands Forum and major global agreements like the Paris Agreement, it’s clear that rising sea levels are not just an environmental issue they’re a security issue. They threaten land, food, identity, and our future.

For communities in PNG, sea level rise affects daily life whether it’s flooding, losing access to clean water, or relocating entire villages. That’s why national policies like the National Security Policy and the National Adaptation Plan are important. They help our government set clear priorities and work with others to protect our people. Regionally, we are stronger when we work together, as seen in the Boe Declaration. Internationally, frameworks like the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement are how we hold big polluters accountable and secure funding for the projects we need.

But let’s be real—policies alone won’t solve the problem. We need climate justice that listens to local voices, values traditional knowledge, and makes sure funds actually reach the communities most at risk. Sea level rise is slow and silent, but it’s also urgent. And we owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to do everything we can now at every level to fight it.

 

References [To Learn More]:

George, S. (2024). Local perspectives on climate and security in PNG. UPNG Press.

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (n.d.). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). https://www.iucn.org/

Mori, N., Takahashi, M., & Ito, M. (2019). Funding gaps and Pacific adaptation: A review of the GEF allocation system. Journal of Climate Policy and Finance, 11(2), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.1080/XXXX

Only One. (n.d.). Tidal threats: The islands facing the world's first climate-induced relocation. https://only.one/read/tidal-threats

Papua New Guinea’s Nationally Determined Contribution. (2020). Enhanced NDC Submission to UNFCCC. Climate Change and Development Authority. https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Papua%20New%20Guinea%20First/PNG_Second_NDC_2020.pdf

Pill, L. (2023). COP28: Pacific climate finance struggles continue. Inside Climate Policy. https://www.insideclimatepolicy.org/cop28-pacific

Post Courier. (2024, February 13). CCDA hosts REDD+ safeguards training. https://www.postcourier.com.pg/

Trundle, C. (2021). Cultural resilience and climate adaptation in the Pacific Islands. Asia Pacific Policy Studies, 8(1), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.325

Villegas, R. (2021, June 4). Children plant mangrove trees to address climate change. World Vision Papua New Guinea. https://www.wvi.org/stories/papua-new-guinea/children-plant-mangrove-trees-address-climate-change

World Vision. (2021). Mangrove planting in Madang. https://www.wvi.org/stories/papua-new-guinea/children-plant-mangrove-trees-address-climate-change

Zhu-Maguire, L. (2025). Trump’s climate withdrawal and the Pacific’s uncertain future. Global Environmental Politics Review, 18(2), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1162/glep_a_00547