RI regrets some developed nations` stand on its REDD scheme

Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - Indonesia on Friday expressed regret about some developed nations` stand on its newly-launched mechanism to collect funds through the Reduction of Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) scheme.

Germany, Australia, Britain and the World Bank had not explicitly stated their commitment to the scheme, Agus Purnomo, executive chairman of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)`s organizing committee, said here Friday.

"It is like being invited to lunch by the developed nations. They play the perfect host .... But when the waiter present the bill, they say they had left their wallet at home. That is what happens to negotiations at the 13th COP to UNFCCC," he said.

Purnomo, who is also assistant to the Indonesian environment minister said all countries had a proportional role in the Kyoto Protocol whose derivatives include the REDD scheme. Under the protocol, developed nations were committed to providing rain tropical forest countries with funds.

"We deeply regret that the developed nations have yet to meet their commitment. As a matter of fact, developing countries like Indonesia have carried out a number of activities, including pilot projects expected to be funded through the REDD scheme," he said.

Wahyudi Wardoyo, chief of the forestry research and development board at the Forestry Ministry, said a number of developed countries had expressed support for the pilot projects to be carried out from 2008 to 2012 by providing funds.

"Two months ago, Germany, Australia, Britain and the World Bank expressed their commitment. But yesterday (Dec 6) when we launched pilot activities under the REDD scheme, they did not show their concrete support," he said.

The REDD scheme is expected to generate up to US$2 million annually through the sale of carbon stored in the country`s tropical forests.

Indonesian Forestry Minister MS Kaban said on Thursday Indonesia had been following developments around the REDD scheme since it began to be discussed a few years ago.

Under the REDD scheme, developing countries would market tons of carbon stored in their forests to developed countries who have the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emission.

The Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force in 2005, laid down the practical commitments assumed by states party to implement the Framework Convention`s goal of mitigating global warming.

Indonesia, host of 120.3 million hectares of forest, will designate 37.5 million hectares of its forests for the REDD project. "If for each hectare of forest the payment is US$10 a year, Indonesia will gain US$3.75 billion every year," Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar said recently.