Corruption and the forestry industry in Papua New Guinea: transnational actors, local dynamics and environmental impact

Abstract

Corruption and environmental degradation are interrelated challenges. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the relationship between corruption and the environment can be seen in the continuing corruption that exists in the country's forestry industry. The article focuses on key actors, values and interests across geographic and institutional spheres who contribute to corrupt incentives in PNG. The PNG government, foreign corporations, customary land owners, NGOs, multilateral organizations, even foreign governments and consumers; all play a role in the PNG context. These actors and their motives must be understood and harnessed to reduce corruption and improve environmental outcomes in PNG. To balance power dynamics and incentives among these actors requires the use of multiple legal and political tools: political pressure, international law, domestic legislation, aid and technical assistance, education and enforcement of existing legal frameworks are all components of the solution. The concept of an experimentalist governance framework for environmental protection is valuable in this context, due to its fluidity, responsiveness and adaptability in complex environments with multiple stakeholders.