Posted 29 August 2007 @ 04:40
JAKARTA, 29 August 2007 - Wahjudi Wardojo, director general for forestry research at Indonesia's Forestry Ministry, told Reuters that industrialized countries will need to provide financial incentives for tropical countries to preserve ecosystems - like peatlands - that sequester large amounts of carbon.
"In order for Indonesia to properly preserve its peatlands, the world has to provide incentives, because we know that peat absorbs carbon more than anything else in the world," Wardojo was quoted as saying. "We think the current scheme has to be reviewed. The carbon market should be allowed to finance restoration of degraded land and reforestation of any kind, because there should be incentives for any effort to reduce carbon emission."
Wardojo is working on a draft proposal for the U.N. climate conference meeting in Bali in December. "The draft will include long-term projections, showing that businesses can profit by taking part in the RED scheme by aborting peatland conversion projects than cashing in on palm oil," Wardojo said. "Once completed, it will become Indonesia's ammunition to seal the new climate deal."
Degradation of Indonesia's peatlands and forest ecosystems is estimated by Wetlands International to release more than 2 billion tons of carbon (7.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide) per year, making the country the third largest producer of greenhouse gases. Slowing destruction of these lands would have a significant impact on global emissions.
"Among the challenges is keeping track of all the types of peatlands, their status and condition. Then to put a price tag on each of them is another major challenge," Wardojo said. Investors - ranging from wealthy individuals to banks, hedge funds, and forestry companies - have been evaluating the potential but have been hesitant to make deals before a binding framework is in place. Still, it is expected that carbon offsets will soon be a hot market in Indonesia.
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