News
Vietnam: PM takes drastic action on tree thieves
29 Sep 2011
The growing problem of illegal deforestation in Viet Nam has led to a swift response from the Government in order to prevent it from spiralling out of control. In a directive issued on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung laid out drastic measures to clamp down on the issue. Among them, he requested local authorities to prioritise forest protection activities.
Under the directive, People’s Committees in provinces and cities would have to report up-to-date figures on the areas of...
U.S. & RI announce $28.5 million debt swap to protect Borneo’s forests
29 Sep 2011
The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) joined with the Indonesian and U.S. Governments yesterday to sign a debt-for-nature swap agreement that will result in a new $28.5 million investment to help protect tropical forests in three districts of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.
The deal will create models for forest conservation and sustainable economic development in Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, home to unique species such as orangutans, gibbons, clouded...
Indonesian companies seek guidelines to engage in REDD+
29 Sep 2011
JAKARTA, Indonesia (29 September, 2011)_Indonesian business leaders have urged the government to clarify guidelines for private sector involvement in REDD+, signaling their readiness to engage in the climate change initiative to protect the nation’s forests and cut carbon emissions. Speaking at the Forests Indonesia Conference on Tuesday, which drew nearly 1,000 participants from government, civil [...]
Indonesia Could Be Paid for Conserving Organutan Forests
29 Sep 2011
Known as REDD+, the mechanism would provide payments for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus additional forest "activities," with the aim of halving deforestation by 2020. The UNEP report estimates that many of the coastal, ...See all stories on this topic »Environment News Service
UK welcomes Indonesia's pledge to protect forests
28 Sep 2011
The UK will provide £2.9 billion of international climate finance, a significant proportion of which will be for forests in support of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). The UK is currently developing a forests and ...See all stories on this topic »
Green economy must benefit local communities, says Indonesia’s REDD+ Task Force
28 Sep 2011
JAKARTA, Indonesia (28 September, 2011)_To achieve the low-carbon future envisioned by REDD+, local communities must reap the economic benefits of safeguarding Indonesia’s forests, said REDD+ Task Force Chairman Kuntoro Mangkusubroto at yesterday’s Forests Indonesia conference. “In order for low carbon growth to be successful, we must make it relevant to the local communities whose prosperity [...]
The Future of Indonesian Forests
28 Sep 2011
In 2010, we signed a letter of intent with the government of Norway to cut emissions by reducing deforestation and forest degradation, or REDD Plus. In May, I instituted a two-year moratorium on new licenses to exploit natural primary forest and all ...See all stories on this topic »Jakarta Globe
UNDP to open first office of forest protection in Indonesia
27 Sep 2011
Source: Jakarta Post -- Seen as a clear sign of support for Indonesia’s forest protection program, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed an agreement to partner with the country and to open a special office in Jakarta.
Norway-Indonesian rainforest agreement jeopardised
27 Sep 2011
Erik Solheim is attending the Forests Indonesia: Alternative Futures to meet demands for food, fiber, fuel and REDD+ conference this week. Its purpose is to discuss previously agreed Norwegian financial support for the protection of Indonesian ...See all stories on this topic »The Foreigner
Deforestation may boost rainfall on West African cropland
27 Sep 2011
Crops planted in deforested land near rainforests gain more rain — but at the expense of rainfall within the forest itself, finds a study.