Insight

The GRM specifically outlined the steps required from intake to referral and who is responsible, and the actions involved. The GRM is administered from CCDA as the government agency mandated with the power to coordinate all Climate Change/REDD+ related National REDD+ Grievance Redress Mechanism Guidelines activities, structures and systems by virtue of the Climate Change Management Act 2015 (as

 Amended) and also by virtue of status as the Nationally Designated Authority (NDA) under the UNFCCC. The GRM Guideline is multifaceted and involves multiple actors all contributing in some measure towards the overall objectives of addressing grievances/issues that may arise during implementation of REDD+ activities.

The GRM is;

1. an intermediary step between proactive stakeholder dialogue and formal GRMs

The GRM is an informal mechanism created to provide a facilitative approach towards resolving grievances that fail to be addressed as part of stakeholder dialogue and consultation between key REDD+ stakeholders involved in the implementation of the REDD+ activities and the National REDD+ Strategy policies and measures. It is the intermediary step between the informal and the formal measures of grievances redress available within the country, such as the courts and shall only be used after initial stakeholder dialogue has been exhausted.

2. preventive in nature

It provides another layer or additional option for grievance redress which helps to manage the way in which land and resource related disputes at the subnational level are handled and hopefully to deter from further referrals to formal systems of dispute resolution. This means, that the initial process of close and extensive stakeholder dialogue needs to be fully exhausted before initiating this GRM process.

3. strengthens safeguards implementation in relation to REDD+ activities

It is anticipated that REDD+ implementation may dynamically impact the types of conflicts created in relation to the use of forest, land and natural resources in forest areas. It is therefore, imperative that effective GRMs are in place to address contentious issues, complaints or disputes that arise during the period of its implementation, as part of a necessary national safeguards system in PNG that will ensure social and environmental risks arising from REDD+ implementation are addressed efficiently, effectively and equitably.

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