Wednesday 17 March 2010

Indonesia Friends of the Earth Dismisses Australian REDD Offer

Indonesia Friends of the Earth Dismisses Australian REDD Offer

Source: Tempo Interactive – March 10, 2010
By SYAIPUL BAKHORI

Indonesia Friends of the Earth (Wahana Lingkungan Hidup) have dismissed carbon trade offer of a total of AUS$30 million through REDD scheme from Australia, describing the offer as an escape from the obligation of emission reduction by the Australian side with no apparent contribution on Indonesian forests. Jambi chapter of the group said on Wednesday said “We see the planned projects as a bid to avoid emission reduction obligations by Australia and the effort will have no impact to curb deforestation rate in Indonesia, and the REDD Plus program is a form of distraction to environment problem.”

Arif Munandar head of the Jambi chapter of the group made statement as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono meet with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today in the second day of his state visit to Australia.

Late last month Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said his side is highly interested in the cooperation, and if the Indonesian side has the same idea and interest he did not see an obstacle for the cooperation. The AUS$30 million offer is projected to cover several forests in the province including conservation and tribal forests.