Honiara, 05 September 2026 – Solomon Islands has reached an important milestone in its efforts to establish a clear, nationally appropriate framework for participation in carbon markets, with the convening of validation workshops for the Solomon Islands Carbon Trading Policy and the proposed Institutional Governance Arrangements on 1 and 3 September 2026, respectively, in Honiara. 

The validation workshops brought together members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Technical Working Group (TWG), representatives from government ministries and agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, community-based organisations and other key stakeholders. 

The workshops provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the draft Carbon Trading Policy and proposed Institutional Governance Arrangements, provide feedback, seek clarification, and contribute to strengthening the proposed framework. These are important components of the Government of Solomon Islands’ efforts to establish an enabling framework for responsible participation in carbon markets. 

The policy development process is being supported through the Low Emission Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) Programme, implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), with financial support from the Government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Government of Ireland through the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Speaking at the opening of the Carbon Trading Policy Validation Workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Mr. David Hiriasia, highlighted the potential opportunities that carbon markets may present for Solomon Islands. 

These opportunities include the mobilisation of climate finance, support for national climate action, sustainable development, and potential benefits for communities and the environment. 

At the validation of the Institutional Governance Arrangements, the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research, Mr. Wilfred Atomea, also emphasized that participation in carbon markets requires careful consideration of both opportunities and associated responsibilities and risks. 

“The policy development process therefore places importance on safeguarding national interests, recognizing the rights and interests of communities and customary landowners, maintaining environmental integrity, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring that carbon market participation is consistent with Solomon Islands’ national development priorities and international commitments. The validation workshops provided stakeholders with an opportunity to critically review the draft documents, seek clarification on outstanding matters, consider their application within the Solomon Islands context, and contribute to strengthening the proposed policy and governance framework,” Mr. Atomea said. 

Among the key areas considered were institutional roles and responsibilities, consistency with existing laws and national commitments, transparency and accountability, environmental integrity, community interests, benefit-sharing considerations, and the meaningful participation of women and other groups that may otherwise face barriers to participation. 

Implementation considerations also formed an important part of the discussions. Stakeholders were encouraged to consider how the proposed framework could provide a practical pathway for implementation, including institutional capacity, coordination mechanisms, systems, regulations, safeguards, and resources that may be required. 

Carbon trading is a cross-cutting area involving a range of sectors, including environment and climate change, finance, forestry, land, energy, transport, agriculture, and waste. Effective coordination across government, together with meaningful engagement with communities, customary landowners, the private sector, development partners and civil society, will therefore be important as Solomon Islands continues to develop its approach to carbon markets. 

Programme Manager for the Low Emission Climate Resilient Development Programme, Ms. Kirstin Morrison, described the validation workshop as an important milestone in a process that has involved sustained engagement with the Government and a wide range of stakeholders. 

“The development of the Policy has involved extensive engagement with Government and other stakeholders, including technical consultations, capacity-building activities, meetings of the Project Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, and a series of carbon trading training sessions delivered to officials across Government,” she said. 

Ms. Morrison noted that the process has sought to go beyond the development of a policy document by supporting a shared understanding of the opportunities and considerations associated with Solomon Islands’ potential participation in carbon markets. 

“Through this process, we have sought not simply to produce a policy document, but to support a shared understanding of what participation in carbon markets could mean for Solomon Islands — both the opportunities that carbon trading may provide and, equally importantly, the safeguards, institutional arrangements and governance systems that will be required to manage associated risks,” she said. 

“The input and perspectives of stakeholders are important in strengthening the draft and ensuring that the final Policy reflects both the evolving requirements of carbon markets and the particular institutional, environmental and social context of Solomon Islands.” 

Ms. Morrison also acknowledged the leadership and commitment of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and the Ministry of Forestry and Research, as well as the contributions of members of the Project Steering Committee, Technical Working Group, Government officials and other stakeholders who have participated in consultations, training and other activities throughout the policy development process. 

The validation process represents a further step towards developing a practical, credible, and nationally appropriate framework for carbon market participation. The feedback and recommendations emerging from the validation workshops will inform the continued refinement of the Carbon Trading Policy and Institutional Governance Arrangements. 

The process ultimately seeks to support Solomon Islands in developing an approach to carbon markets that is aligned with national circumstances and priorities, while promoting environmental integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusive participation and sustainable long-term benefits for the people and environment of Solomon Islands. 

The validation of the carbon trading policy on the first day was facilitated by Johan Nylander of Neyen Consultancy, while the validation process of the institutional governance arrangements was facilitated online by GGGI’s Pricing Officer, Ms. Eunbin Nam. 

For more information, visit: https://gggi.org 

Rex Solo – Carbon Trading Policy (Project Officer) – rex.solo@gggi.org  

Kelly Vacala – Regional Communications and Knowledge Sharing Lead – kelly.vacala@gggi.org