In an effort to address climate change by stopping the destruction of Indonesia’s vast forests, the Ministry of Forestry and UN agencies signed the UN-REDD national programme on 23 November, just in time for the upcoming Copenhagen climate change negotiations this December. The REDD concept is expected to be one of the most crucial agendas to be discussed in Copenhagen.

The UN-REDD programme was signed at the National Dialogue on Climate Change, a high-level meeting organized on 23 November by the Ministry of Environment and UNDP. Indonesia is one of nine UN-REDD Programme pilot countries and part of a global effort.

REDD has become an eminent priority for Indonesia and the global community, since deforestation and forest degradation represent a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to hindering human development and threatening biodiversity. Indeed, according to the Second National Communication also launched today, more than half of Indonesia’s greenhouse gas emissions are related to forestry peat land sectors (except 2003).

According to Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, H.E. Mr. Erik Solheim, present in the signing ceremony, “Globally, almost 20 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and forest degradation. Therefore, Norway is committed to support developing countries, like Indonesia, to stop the devastating destruction of the forest.”

The Stern Review states that addressing deforestation and forest degradation is a cost effective method of reducing GHG emissions, while also preserving biodiversity and local livelihoods. Further, it is important from the UN perspective to ensure that in any REDD scheme the rights of local communities and other issues pertaining to the MDGs are fully considered.

“A key challenge will be to ensure monitoring, reporting and verification – this will be a priority for the UN-REDD Programme” said Man Ho So, FAO Representative in Indonesia.

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