SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARBON COFFEE TRADE
The Coffee Industry Corporation, Australian National University, Curtin University, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, University of Goroka, Nakau and Sustineo, through a five-year partnership, have been working together to identify possible opportunities in the carbon coffee markets.
The other objective of this partnership is also to educate coffee farming communities on climate change impacts.
CIC Chief Operations Officer Steven Tumae said climate change is no longer a distant threat but it is already reshaping the landscape of coffee industry in the Highlands of PNG.
“Rising temperatures and shift in rainfall patterns and the increase in pest and diseases are affecting the productivity and quality of coffee. It is a serious threat and comes with many challenges and opportunities that only research can determine the difference between these opportunities presented by climate change,” he said.
Tumae stated that the CIC/NCA is in the final stages of developing the PNG climate change coffee policy to address challenges and opportunities brought about by climate change.
“Agroforestry systems have significant potential to secure carbon and contribute to global climate mitigation efforts. This is where carbon markets present an opportunity for the PNG coffee sector. Through this research partnership, the findings from the research presented will chart a new pathway for the industry amidst climate change challenges and the opportunities in the global carbon coffee markets.” Tumae said.
He said the key priorities under the climate smart coffee policy would include coffee carbon studies, certification pathways, capacity building, and climate smart coffee resource centers that will guide the policy implementation.
ANU Strategic Research & Partnerships Manager, Ewelina Przybyszewski said that the two research projects they worked on was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
She said the research gave them an opportunity to work with their partners across PNG in exploring what carbon opportunities may look like in the context of a changing climate, specifically looking at coffee agroforestry or smallholder coffee farming systems in the Highlands of PNG.
CIC Chief Operations Officer Steven Tumae acknowledged all partners during a 1-day symposium on climate change and carbon coffee opportunities held in Port Moresby on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
